Several years ago, Christopher Haw decided to heed Mahatma Gandhi's advice and, on Tuesday, he urged Bluffton University students to do likewise.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world," Haw, quoting the Indian leader, told students at Bluffton's opening convocation in Founders Hall. The university welcomed about 270 new first-year and transfer students during the annual ceremony.
Bluffton University opened the 2010-11 academic year Tuesday by welcoming about 270 new students-and one beaver.
More than a year of planning culminated with the introduction of J. Denny Beaver, Bluffton's new mascot, at the annual opening convocation. Doing much of the work this summer was a student, senior Cody Litwiller, a marketing major from Hopedale, Ill.
September 2010 Events are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise.
Sept. 10 Colloquium: "Exploring the Themes of Imprisonment in Gothic Novels," by Dr. Cynthia Bandish, associate professor of English, 4 p.m., Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Hall
Sept. 14 President's Forum: Dr. James M. Harder, 11 a.m., Founders Hall
Sept. 17 Artist's Reception: Mark Nafziger, ceramics, 4-6 p.m., Grace Albrecht Gallery, Sauder Visual Arts Center
A group of 12 Buddhist monks from Gaden Shartse Monastery in Tibet will be on the Bluffton University campus Tuesday, Sept. 7. The monks will give a sand painting demonstration from 9:30-11 a.m. in the drawing studio of Sauder Fine Arts Building, then visit the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center until 11:30 a.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Rehearsals for the Bluffton community gospel choir begin Thursday, Sept. 2, in the Gilliom Room of Bluffton University's Mosiman Hall. The newly formed group, which is open to community members as well as university faculty, staff and students, will practice from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
Dr. Crystal Sellers, an assistant professor of music at Bluffton, is directing the choir, which will make its public debut Nov. 13 at a Celebration of Gospel concert in Yoder Recital Hall on campus.
They'll be dancing in the street again Sunday, Aug. 29, in Bluffton.
Main Street, that is, where from 7-9 p.m. new and returning Bluffton University students will dance, eat ice cream and generally continue a tradition on the eve of the first day of fall-semester classes.
The outdoor dance party/ice cream social will cap a weekend that began with new student move-in on Aug. 27.
