Bluffton University history

When the first president, Noah Hirschy, resigned in 1908, the college had only one building.

Around 1913, the institution became officially known as Bluffton College and Mennonite Seminary with the official motto becoming “The Truth Makes Free.”

A chapter of the Y. W. C. A. was established in 1914 according to one of the archived documents of the organization’s constitution.

The first baccalaureate degrees were confirmed in 1915.

Brenneman started working at then Bluffton College in 1918 as an English instructor and was head of the department.

In 1929, the college had a seemingly successful fundraising drive in an effort to increase its endowment to $500,000 and qualify for accreditation from the North Central Association.

Diller began her career as a comedian in 1955 and filled her career appearances films, TV shows, and live concerts.

In March of 1972, more than 80 of Brenneman’s previous students gathered together to award their former teacher a gift.

The most recent systematic expression of faith for Mennonites is the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, adopted in July 1995.

In 1997, only thirteen percent of the student population was Mennonite.

Bluffton University was founded as Central Mennonite College by the General Conference Mennonite Church and became affiliated with Mennonite Church USA when it was created in 2002 by a merger between the GCMC and the Mennonite Church.

On August 1, 2004, Bluffton College was renamed Bluffton University, in reflection of its evolving educational program.