Bluffton University's next five-year strategic plan was a primary topic at the spring meeting of the university Board of Trustees April 8 and 9.
"In today's rapidly changing higher education environment, timely strategic planning is more crucial than ever," Bluffton President Dr. James M. Harder observed.
"Bluffton needs to anticipate future opportunities for growth that align with our institutional mission. At the same time, we must ensure that a Bluffton education continues to meet the changing needs and expectations of our students and of society."
The year 1861 was a significant one for this community for several reasons. First, the unincorporated village of Shannon was renamed Bluffton. The name change was because another Shannon also existed in Ohio and the United States Post Office asked the younger of the two locations with the same name (us) to change it.
This, of course, took place in 1861, 150 years ago, thus we celebrate our sesquicentennial this year.
Alpha Smallwood, 81 of Bluffton died at 10:45 a.m. April 12, 2011 at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.
She was born March 4, 1930 in Clay County, Kentucky to Charles and Avis (Napier) Roberts. She married James "Slick" Smallwood and he preceded her in death.
A little bit of sunshine is all it took to get the Lady Pirates another W in the win column. BHS defeated Leipsic 11-1 earlier this week.
After three postponed games (Pandora-Gilboa, Liberty Benton, and Allen East), the Pirates were back on the offensive hosting Leipsic in non-conference play.
The Pirates started off slow with only one hit by Molly Lengyel and scoring only Shannon McKamey in the first inning. The Viking defense locked the Pirates in a 1-1 tie until the fourth inning.
"We invite you to Explore Bluffton!" That's the message of a two-page full-color advertisement featuring Bluffton in the 2011 Lima/Allen County Visitor's Guide, being printed this month.
It the first group advertising effort of 2011, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce helped make the ad possible.
The 48-page full-color guide with a distribution of over 20,000 will include a two-page Bluffton spread. The spread will also show several photos of the community and will promote the Bluffton sesquicentennial.
The 23rd annual Bluffton High School Occupational Work Education (OWE) silent auction is from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 14, at Bluffton McDonald's, according to Pat Pritchard, OWE teacher.
The event has over 70 biddable items that benefit the OWE program and The Ronald McDonald House.
Since the auction's inception, over $21,000 has been donated by the auctions to the Ronald McDonald House. In addition Bluffton High School OWE students have purchased $5,700 in classroom equipment from the auction.
Jane Sycks, Bluffton High School junior, is the March BHS student of the month.
Jane is active in drama club, BHS jazz band, pep band, show choir, chamber choir, concert choir, marching and concert band. She is also a member of the Bluffton High School National Honor Society. She is also in the Bluffton Presbyterian Church youth group and church choir.
Jane is the daughter of Dave and Linda Sycks, 10050 Rockport Road. She hopes to pursue music as a career.
