Bluffton University is taking a fresh approach to dining services at its renovated campus eatery in Marbeck Center.
The Commons at Marbeck-renamed to reflect a shift in focus to a restaurant atmosphere-features freshly prepared vegetables and other food at six "dining destinations" that together provide a varied menu.
The Commons is also going "green," both as a trayless facility-an effort to reduce food waste and water usage-and by introducing Aspretto, a fair trade-based coffee and tea brand by Sodexo, the company that manages Bluffton's dining services.
Bluffton University offers "a great education at a great price among regional colleges" in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The 2011 edition of the magazine's Best Colleges guidebook ranks Bluffton in the top 10 of the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category, and in the top tier-placing 20th among 95 institutions-of the "Best Regional Colleges" listing.
Rebekah Ricker, a pianist from Spencerville, will perform her Bluffton University senior recital at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, in Yoder Recital Hall on the Bluffton campus. The recital is free and open to the public.
Bluffton University has seen the arrival of nine new staff members, including three graduate assistants in athletics, since the end of the 2009-10 academic year in May.
. Kevin Nickel will become Bluffton's vice president for fiscal affairs on Sept. 1. He succeeds Willis Sommer, who is retiring Aug. 31 after 16 years in the position and 31 years of service to the university overall. Nickel came to Bluffton in mid-July to begin the transition.
Bluffton University's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), an educational program for retired individuals, is beginning its 20th year with a number of course offerings from Sept. 20-Nov. 11.
The eight-week fall term costs $80, which enables participants to take as many of the courses as they wish and to join in other ILR activities. Individuals may take either one course or two for $30 each.
