Top Bluffton stories of 2010

Not to be outdone by the plethora of Top 10 lists to be released next week, here are the top Bluffton University news stories from 2010 as chosen by you our readers. (according to Urchin web stats)

10) Basingers invest $1 million in their hometown
James and Frieda Basinger of Bisbee, Ariz., left their entire estate to be split between Bluffton University and Mennonite Home Communities.

9) President extends reach
The public phase of Extending Our Reach- The Campaign for Bluffton was launched at the annual President’s Forum.

8) Students honored for academic excellence
Students were recognized for their academic achievements at the annual Academics Awards and Honors Forum.

7) Distinguished Bluffton alumni to receive awards
Robert Smucker ’52, Dr. Paul Ropp ’66, Chad Stearns ’00 and Dr. Stephen Jacoby were honored at the annual alumni awards banquet.

6) Renovation brings fresh, ‘green’ focus to Bluffton campus restaurant
Renamed to reflect a shift in focus to a restaurant atmosphere, The Commons at Marbeck offers fresh foods and healthier options from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

5) A great education at great price: U.S.News & World Report
In addition to being once again listed in the top tier in the Best Regional Colleges listing, Bluffton is also in the top 10 in the Great Schools, Great Prices category.

4) Bluffton names 2010-11 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees
J. Roger Howe ’49, Charles Stapleton ’78, Louis Stokes ’73 and the 1992 softball team will be inducted into the Bluffton Athletics Hall of Fame in January 2011.

3) Bluffton shuts down Earlham in 26-7 win over Quakers
Bluffton improved to 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in the HCAC with their first conference win since the final game of the 2007 season.

2) Art resembles life for one of Bluffton’s ‘Little Women’
Sarah Diller played the youngest sister in Bluffton’s May Day production of Louisa May Alcott’s classic.

1) Bluffton rallies in fourth quarter for 30-28 win at Kalamazoo
Following a winless 2009 campaign, the Beavers win their first contest of 2010 in dramatic fashion.

Before checking out the actual stats, I noted a few stories that I felt were important in the past year. Let’s just say it’s a good thing I looked them up. While some of the stories were on both lists, I totally missed others and am surprised by still others that weren’t included on the stats list.

No disrespect to the football team – but hello, the volleyball team went 23-7 overall and just missed a second consecutive invitation to the NCAA regional tournament. And don’t forget about the introduction of the new health care concentration to the MBA and the baccalaureate social work evening classes. And the introduction of J. Denny Beaver… that one really surprises me.

What additional stories from Bluffton in 2010 do you think deserve to be mentioned?