Bluffton University recognized its top students for their academic achievements at the annual Academic Awards and Honors Forum on April 23.

Four seniors received departmental honors for independent-study projects: 

“Everyday Nutrition and its Effects on the Eyes,” by Brooke Barnes, a biology major from Shelby, Ohio

“Who Am I,” by art major Kelly Bilen of Archbold, Ohio

“Gerda and Kay,” by writing major Abby Bush from Marion, Ohio

“Earphone Epidemic?: Prevalence of Earphone Use and Listening Behaviors Among Students,” by MacKenzie Martin, a speech-language pathology and audiology major from Hartville, Ohio

Six seniors were recognized for completion of the Honors Program. 

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Brooke Barnes, Shelby, Ohio

Kelly Bilen, Archbold, Ohio

Abby Bush, Marion, Ohio

Jackson Clark, Mount Blanchard, Ohio

Ethan Ly, Celina, Ohio

MacKenzie Martin, Hartville, Ohio

Thirty seniors were honored as distinguished scholars in their respective academic areas.

Rosanna Barber, Bowling Green, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Studio Art

Jenía Freewalt, Delphos, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Art Education

Matt DeRitter, Pompton Lakes, N.J., Distinguished Scholar in Graphic Design

Adrianna Ruiz Suarez, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Pre-Art Therapy

Seth Altman, Hilliard, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Accounting

Rachel Larson, West Liberty, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Business Administration

Dakota Bricker, Bluffton, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Business Management

Brittany Ramirez, Archbold, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Marketing

Olivia Daugherty, Bradford, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Communication and Media

Abby Bush, Marion, Distinguished Scholar in both Theatre and Writing

Carina DiMarco, Hartville, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Primary (P-5) Education

Kryshel Dales, Defiance, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Intervention Specialist

MacKenzie Martin, Hartville, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Ezra Deitering, Miller City, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in English

Ben Davidson, Greenville, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Exercise Science

Carson Kindred, Brookville, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Sport Management

Simon Shawk, Galion, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Strength and Conditioning

Garrett Rice, Coshocton, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in History

Andre Wynes, Warren Mich., Distinguished Scholar in Criminal Justice

Olivia Zender, Fostoria, Ohio., Distinguished Scholar in Psychology

Leah Bowman, Lancaster, Penn., Distinguished Scholar in Social Work

Brady Johnston, Lima, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Sociology

Meredith Obringer, Tiffin, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Nutrition and Dietetics

Shelby Stammen, Fort Recovery, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Biology

Ethan Ly, Celina, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Pre-Medicine

Danielle King, Wauseon, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Pre-Physical Therapy

Lindsey Shaw, Findlay, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Nursing

Elijah Zimmerman, Archbold, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Mathematics

Jocelyn Shade, Galion, Ohio, Distinguished Scholar in Mathematics Education

Other awards went to:

Jenna Juarez of Fremont, Ohio; Jenía Freewalt of Delphos, Ohio; and Zachariah Boch of Lancaster, Ohio, C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Awards

Anton Miller, Springfield, Ohio; John D. Unruh Jr. Award for exceptional research paper written for humanities, “How the Hiss-Chambers Case Ignited the Flame of McCarthyism”

Emma Mueller, Delphos, Ohio; John D. Unruh Jr. Award for exceptional research paper written for humanities, “The Impact of Birth Order on Characters in Zadie Smith’s On Beauty and White Teeth”

Mara Ruhlen of Dunkirk, Ohio; Mary Ann Sullivan Award for “Generational Trauma and the Role of Community in Beloved and The Bluest Eye”

Adrianny Ruiz Suarez of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Bluffton Creative Writing Award

Alexis Rippel, Mansfield, Ohio; Esta Lugibill Dye Award for Excellence in Chemistry by a Woman

Rosanna Barber of Ada, Ohio, Meredith Myers of Deshler, Ohio, Zach Slone of Mansfield, Ohio, and Mya Vernon of Toledo, Ohio; Art Show Juror’s Awards of Distinction

Rosanna Barber, Bowling Green, Ohio; Gregg Luginbuhl Award for Best of Show

Cami Hazelton, Ada, Ohio; Gregg Luginbuhl Award for Ceramics

Shaina Phillips, Ada, Ohio; The President’s Choice Art Show Award

Cierra Long, Urbana, Ohio; Jim Satterwhite Award in Peace Scholarship and Activism

Josie McCullough, Arcanum, Ohio; Dr. Elizabeth Hostetler Outstanding Educator Award

Braxton Lint, Killbuck, Ohio; Criminal Justice Merit Award

Taylor Born of Mount Cory, Ohio, Carson Kindred of Brookville, Ohio, and Simon Shawk, Galion, Ohio; Athlete with Highest Scholastic Record

Concluding the program was the recognition of 96 academic all-conference student-athletes; C. Henry Smith Scholars—9 graduating and 9 continuing; and 37 new members of Bluffton’s Pi Delta Society, an honor for graduating seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.75 during their college careers.