By Bluffton University staff
Bluffton’s State of the University focused on merger
During the annual State of the University Forum, Dr. Jane Wood, president of Bluffton (Ohio) University, and Dr. Katherine Fell, president of University of Findlay (Ohio), discussed the state of Bluffton University, in the context of the proposed merger with University of Findlay.
President Wood began the presentation by reflecting on Bluffton University’s 125-year history. Wood invited students to imagine what attending college would have been like in 1899, the year Bluffton University was founded.
“A lot has changed since 1899, but what really doesn’t change is the things we all want,” said Wood. “We want to be happy, make a difference in the world and create good relationships.”
In 1899, students were in the middle of the industrial revolution. Now, in 2024, students are in a different kind of revolution — a digital revolution. Both President Wood and President Fell encouraged students to reflect on how the digital revolution can bring students together or push them apart.
Wood and Fell asked for feedback from the audience, and students responded that the digital revolution brings students together. Fell stated students can benefit from the digital revolution in the context of this merger, as technology allows students from each campus to get to know one another.
President Wood displayed a graph with the number of mergers or closures of public and private non-profit universities. Since 2015, the numbers have accelerated greatly. On average, one small, private institution closes each week.
“We do not want this to happen in our area. Coming together strengthens both Bluffton and Findlay,” said Wood. […]
