The Witmarsum

By Coen North BLUFFTON, Ohio – This past November, Chris Biltz was hired as the new director of the center for career and vocation. Biltz was introduced to Bluffton University through his work as a part-time clinical educator for Bluffton’s nutrition and dietetics master’s program. “That was my tie initially, I was helping Bethany Dario, [the Director of Nutrition and Dietetics] who’s a family friend,” said Biltz.

“My goal as a coach isn’t about the record. I don’t care about the wins; I don’t care about the losses,” Williams explained. “I’d rather teach life skills, like being able to communicate, time management, those kinds of things.” By Coen North BLUFFTON, Ohio — Gabby Williams ‘26, an exercise science and strength and conditioning double major from Urbana, Ohio, has used her deep knowledge of volleyball to coach Ohio-based club volleyball teams.

By Bill Hanefeld BLUFFTON, Ohio – Bluffton University senior Leonardo Campos (Santiago, Chile/Campbellsville University) has been named 4th Team All-Region VII by the United Soccer Coaches for his work on the pitch in 2025. He is one of just 10 honorees from the Heartland Conference which had five teams represented this year. Transylvania led the way with four selections. Hanover and Rose-Hulman had two honorees apiece, with Bluffton and Anderson also recognized.

“We figured out how to present our work as if we were presenting to a company, which built a new set of skills for me. There was a little bit more behind-the-scenes work that I got to be involved in,” said Hazelton. By Coen North FROM BLUFFTON TO ATHENS, FINDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH STUDY ABROAD Cami Hazelton ‘26, a studio art major, studied for a semester at the American College of Greece (ACG) in Agia Paraskevi, Greece, and sees it as the best time of her life.

By Coen North BLUFFTON, Ohio — In November, Eli Tracy ‘12 was hired as the new campus pastor at Bluffton University. He received his bachelor’s in Bible and theology from Bluffton and his master’s of theological studies from Conrad Grebel University College in Ontario, Canada. He has worked as an associate pastor at the Family Christian Center in Defiance, Ohio, a non-denominational church, for ten years and as an adjunct professor at Bluffton for three years.

By Bill Hanefeld LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Beavers traveled down to Louisville for the Great Lakes Regional meet on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. The day was pushing 70 degrees after having snow on the ground Monday, but the Beavers were ready for it and took advantage of the moment. The men set the tone with big-time races to start off the day. Senior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) led the team one last time, pacing the squad with a time of 28:26, which was his second fastest time of the season.

Rippel studied in the molecular biology lab where she explored the relationship between excess growth hormone and cell senescence. By Coen North STUDENT SHARES UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE BLUFFTON, Ohio — The November edition of the “First Tuesday in the Library” forum series was presented by Alexis Rippel ’27, who shared her summer research conducted in the Diabetes Institute Summer Interprofessional Research Experience (DISIRE) Summer Undergraduate Program at Ohio University.

By Bill Hanefeld BLUFFTON, Ohio – A pair of Bluffton University seniors have been honored for their work on the volleyball court in 2025. Jenna Woods (DeGraff/Riverside) was named First Team All-Heartland Conference, the first time since Remi Bower in 2020-21 that a Beaver has earned first team honors! Emma Organ (Lambertville, Mich./St. Ursula) collected Second Team All-HCAC recognition after missing her entire junior campaign with a knee injury.

By Bill Hanefeld ANDERSON, Ind. – The Bluffton University volleyball team cut down Anderson 3-2 on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Bluffton improved to 13-18 overall and 2-6 in the Heartland Conference, while the Ravens fell to 10-12 and 2-6 in the HCAC. The victory bolstered Bluffton’s chances of earning a berth in upcoming Heartland Conference tournament and it marked the first HCAC road win since October of 2022.

After an environmental disaster forces survivors deep underground, nature must be simulated and fertility is tightly regulated. Anna and Oliver want a baby, but Anna can’t pass the Mental Health Exam. Will training their new robot helper satisfy Anna’s craving for meaning and purpose?