Congratulations to the 2025-26 President's Ambassadors! This group of high-achieving students will be positive, enthusiastic and well-informed about Bluffton University and all its programs to best represent themselves and the university.

Annie Mendenhall ’25, a middle childhood education major from Van Wert, Ohio, is spending her spring 2025 semester student teaching at Glandorf Elementary in Glandorf, Ohio.

Edward Diller ’69, Fort Thomas, Ky., has been appointed Chair of Bluffton College Foundation, an institutionally related, nonprofit, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, which will restrict gifts to Bluffton’s campus.

Alexis Rippel ’27, a biology and chemistry double major from Mansfield, Ohio, completed an internship with Charles River Laboratories during the summer of 2024.

Ella Meyer ’26 of McClure, Ohio, has always known that she wanted to be a social worker. Meyer put her passion into action as she completed an internship with Crossroads Crisis Center in Lima, Ohio.

Coen North ’26, a communication and media and Spanish double major from Denver, Colo., studied abroad in Mexico, during the fall 2024 semester.

Edward Hardaway ’23, MAEd ’26 from Englewood, Ohio, has been serving as the graduate assistant in Bluffton’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Through his work, Hardaway was able to reopen The Cuts at Bluffton, an on-campus hair salon/barbershop.

Josh Webster ’25, an exercise science and strength and conditioning double major from Sidney, Ohio, completed an internship at F.A.S.T., a training facility in Lima. Since completing his internship, Webster has secured a job as a part-time trainer.

Kelli Kretschmar ’25, a nursing major from Greenville, Ohio, has been working as a registered nurse (RN) while finishing her classes towards earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Bethny Ricks ’06, Bluffton University trustee and senior business executive, has published her first book, “Face Forward: Reclaiming Hope When Everything Falls Apart.” The book is a guide to finding strength and resilience when life feels overwhelming.

During Homecoming weekend, Bruce Wasem ’68 and Janelle (Stanek ’97) Wyant were inducted into the Bluffton University Athletics Hall of Fame. Congrats, Bruce and Janelle!

Professor of communication Dr. Gerald Mast is an active member of the advisory group preparing a commemoration of Anabaptism’s 500th year.

Morgan Smith ’23, has fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a professional athlete. Since graduating, Smith has done her fair share of traveling the world and has played professional basketball for three teams in three different countries.

Dr. George Lehman ’69, professor emeritus of business and founder of the Bluffton MBA program, received the Faculty/Staff Service Award at the annual President's Society Banquet during Homecoming weekend.

Bluffton aims to prepare students through life’s twists and turns for service in God’s Universal Kingdom. While the challenges students faced may change over the decade, each find ways to connect experiences at Bluffton to how they live out God’s calling.

During Homecoming weekend, Dr. Tsedey Biru-Williams ’11 was presented with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Congrats, Tsedey!

Aidan Smith ‘25, a business administration major from Springfield, Ohio, gained experience with digital marketing and content management during his summer internship with OpenEye Studios, a video marketing company in Springfield.

Part of Bluffton’s mission is to prepare students for life as well as vocation. This can take many forms, but ultimately, the student experience at Bluffton allows them to lean into their environment. Read more:

Excellence in academic programs comes not only from the curriculum but from the faculty who teach it. While many have come and gone through Bluffton’s history, the one thing that always remains is the quality relationships between students and faculty.

Students have left Bluffton so impacted that they chose to continue to live out principles of peace and nonviolence in their own lives. Read more