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ONU ART & DESIGN ON LINKEDIN__Congratulations to Ohio Northern University professors Luke Sheets, professor of art & design, and Bruce Chesser, professor emeritus of art & design, for having work selected to the Ohio Designer Craftsmen “Best of 2025” exhibition.

The “Best of 2025” exhibition showcases work from around the state. The juror, Michele Tuegel, selected 81 works from almost 400 entries, highlighting contemporary functional, sculptural, and decorative approaches in various media. The exhibition is on view at the Ohio Craft Museum from May 5 to July 5, 2025.

Prof. Chesser specializes in contemporary interpretations of traditional functional ceramics. He is a retired professor of art at Ohio Northern where he taught ceramics for over 30 years. He also served as chair of the department of art & design for 12 years. Previously, he taught at Ohio University, Athens. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in fine arts from OU and has participated in more than 100 juried, invitational and one-person art shows. Prof. Chesser also has conducted numerous workshops and lectures on salt-glazing and raku pottery.

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MAY 7 MEDIA RELEASE__Becca Ludwig, a senior at Cory Rawson High School, signed her letter of intent to attend The Ohio State University and study agricultural communication during the 97th Annual Ohio FFA Convention. She will enroll as a student in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership this fall.

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April 30 media release__ The Black Swamp Area Council, Scouting America, held its annual Scouters Conference and Adult Recognition Luncheon on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Camp Lakota in Defiance, Ohio. The event also included the dedication of the new Cooper Lodge with Keith Hubbard Dining Hall.

Bluffton Troop 256 leader Mike Metzger (Great Oaks District) was among five adults recognized for their contributions to local scouting.

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PHOTOS courtesy of Ryan Walters / CLICK to enlarge and view at your own pace / Walters family photo, L-R) Shana, Micah, Ryan, Mason and Bella.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Bluffton second grader Micah Walters was elevated from U-8 soccer player to the big leagues on Saturday, April 26. That’s when he was given the thrill of making the honorary first kick of the game for the Columbus Crew vs. San Jose Quakes, a Major League Soccer event.

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Provided by Rhodes State College

The 2025 Rhodes State College Outstanding Alumni Award recipient is Marc Augsburger, a 1988 graduate of the former Lima Technical College, now Rhodes State College, with a degree in Nursing. Marc has dedicated over 36 years to advancing rural healthcare. Marc furthered his education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wright State University in 2002, an MBA with a Healthcare emphasis from Baker College of Graduate Studies in 2006, a Customer Experience Post Graduate Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2021, and most recently, a Rural Hospital CEO Certification from the National Rural Hospital Association in 2024.

Born and raised in Bluffton, Ohio, Marc began his healthcare journey immediately after high school as a clinical nurse, gaining experience in cardiac stepdown units, special care units, emergency departments, and as a helicopter flight nurse for eight years.

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Click photo gallery to enlarge and view at your own pace.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

In a departure from Bluffton Lions tradition, over 100 individuals were honored as 2024 Citizens of the Year at an April 15 celebration. Volunteers who support the three Et Cetera Inc. shops–the Et Cetera Thrift Shop, Book ReViews and Bluffton Ten Thousand Villages–were recognized for their impact on Bluffton’s downtown commercial district.

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