The fall athletics season is moving forward at Bluffton University with teams designated as low-contact sports starting competition this week. Medium and high contact sports will begin competition later this fall after following extensive protocols outlined by the NCAA.
"It is one of our priorities to be able to provide an intercollegiate athletics experience for our student-athletes and our campus community, even during this time," said Dr. Jane Wood, president of Bluffton University.
Abbie Parkins ’21, an accounting and business administration double major from Bluffton, is getting as much hands-on experience as possible before she graduates.
Entering her fourth year at Bluffton University, Parkins is currently completing her fourth internship.
“I love taking my knowledge and class work and using it in real-life applications,” said Parkins, whose internships were each in a different type of accounting – tax, credit, operations and general.
“I got a feel for which type of accounting I like best and which path I would like to take for my future.”
Bluffton University officially welcomed its 121st class of students as official members of the campus community during a virtual Opening Convocation Ceremony.
Watching via Zoom while gathered with their Becoming a Scholar first-year seminar classes, students were challenged by the message “Choosing your Impact in a World of Trouble” by Eric Kurtz, executive director of MCC Great Lakes. During his presentation, Kurtz focused on three big issues dominating the world.
The majority of Bluffton University’s residential students will move into residence halls Aug. 13-16 with classes to resume Aug. 17.
Fall semester was moved up two weeks as part of Bluffton’s Protect the Dam plan for returning to campus housing and instruction. The academic calendar change also means in-person classes will end by Thanksgiving break and students will not return to campus until the spring semester begins.
Other health and safety measures outlined in the plan include social distancing, wearing face masks, reducing classroom density and symptom monitoring.
Corporate and Education Partnerships provide
educational discounts; enhance workforce needs
Bluffton University is rapidly growing a network of Corporate and Education Partnerships in northwest Ohio.
The university has entered into 3-year Corporate Partner agreements with six companies and five Education Partner agreements with area school districts since its launch this spring.
“We are excited about the leadership opportunities for our region,” said Dr. Jane Wood, president of Bluffton University.
As part of the launch of Bluffton University’s strategic plan this fall, President Jane Wood has appointed Tyson Goings to the newly created role of director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Goings, a 2001 Bluffton graduate, returned in 2015 as director of multicultural student development and was promoted to director of residence life in 2019. He will maintain his current role as director of residence life, with some responsibilities transitioning to other employees in Bluffton’s student life office.
