Bluffton University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Bluffton University, an institution known for its commitment to service and academic excellence, has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. These individuals, shaped by the values instilled during their time at Bluffton, have gone on to achieve success in athletics, education, business, ministry, and community service. This article explores the stories of some of Bluffton University's notable alumni, highlighting their accomplishments and the impact they have made on the world.

Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

Bluffton University has a rich athletic tradition, and many of its athletes have been recognized for their outstanding achievements. The Athletics Hall of Fame honors those who have excelled in their respective sports and brought recognition to the university.

Celebrating Athletic Prowess

Bruce Wasem ’68: Inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, Wasem excelled in football and track and field. He also demonstrated success as a collegiate coach, leaving a lasting impact on the athletes he mentored.
Janelle (Stanek) Wyant: A volleyball powerhouse, Wyant holds records for sets played and contributed to the team's NCAA tournament appearances. Her coaching achievements further solidify her legacy.
Michael Anthony: A basketball standout, Anthony earned numerous accolades, including HCAC Player of the Year. He is now a podiatrist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Rich Bindernagel ’79: Honored for his achievements in golf, Bindernagel was a four-year All-Hoosier Buckeye Collegiate Conference honoree and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. After a brief stint in professional golf, he found success in business.
Allison (Lange ’05) Bentley: A softball star, Bentley earned All-American honors and set numerous records during her time at Bluffton. She now shares her passion for education as a math/STEM/technology teacher.
Denny Phillips ’79: Phillips dedicated 25 years to Beavers football and served as head coach for track and field. He also taught and coached at the high school level.
Ed Diller ’69: Recognized for his achievements in football, Diller was a team captain and MVP. He has also served on the Bluffton University Board of Trustees for 20 years.
Sarah (Betts ’06) vonSeggern: A softball standout, vonSeggern earned All-HCAC honors all four seasons and set records for ERA, wins, and strikeouts. She is now a chemistry teacher.
Jerry Burrey ’65: Burrey excelled in basketball and baseball, earning all-conference honors in basketball. He went on to a career in public education and later owned a car dealership.
Scott Bergman ’06: Bergman made his mark as a basketball player, scoring over 1,600 career points. He was named HCAC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors.
Michele Durand ’88: Durand was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame for her achievements in coaching. She has been the head women’s basketball coach at Ohio Northern University for 18 seasons.
Dave Sheldon: Sheldon excelled in basketball, scoring over 1,000 points and recording over 400 assists. He is now a dean of students, athletic director, and head basketball coach.

The 2007 Baseball Team: Courage and Remembrance

The 2007 Bluffton University baseball team holds a special place in the university's history. Following a tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of four players and two others, the team demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience by returning to the field and completing their season.

A Moment of Tragedy: On March 2, 2007, the team's charter bus crashed in Atlanta, Georgia, resulting in the deaths of student-athletes David Betts, Scott Harmon, Cody Holp, and Tyler Williams, as well as the bus driver and his wife. Twenty-eight others were injured.
Triumph Over Adversity: Despite the immense grief and trauma, the team chose to honor their fallen teammates by continuing their season. Their determination and strength inspired the Bluffton community and the nation.
Honored for Courage: The 2007 team was the first to be honored by the NCAA with an award recognizing their courage. They were also recognized by Advocates for the Highway and Auto Safety for their efforts to enhance motor coach safety.
Lasting Impact: The tragedy led to the passage of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act, which requires lap and shoulder belts in all new motorcoaches. The 2007 team's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the power of resilience. Of the 25 surviving student-athletes who were on the bus, 24 graduated.

Alumni Association Recognition

The Bluffton University Alumni Association recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities, and the university. The Lifetime Service Award and the Professional Achievement Award are among the highest honors bestowed upon alumni.

Lifetime Service Award

Dr. Lifetime Service Award recipient: Dr. took his education at Bluffton to heart, demonstrating heartfelt service to people, community, or church in the lives of others. Dr. resided in Bluffton for 14 years and was involved in the United Way Board and Bluffton Business Men’s Association (Chamber of Commerce). Dr. and his wife are active members of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton.

Professional Achievement Award

Dr. A 2008 recipient of the Alumni Association’s Professional Achievement Award. Dr. is recognized for his work in intervention integration at Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, the Department of Public Health, and co-chair for Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities.

Contributions to Education

Many Bluffton University alumni have dedicated their careers to education, shaping the minds of future generations.

Read also: Exploring Bluffton Football

Allison (Lange ’05) Bentley: Bentley graduated in 2005 with a middle childhood education major and is currently a math/STEM/technology teacher at Archbold Middle School.
Sarah (Betts ’06) vonSeggern: She is a chemistry teacher at Archbold High School in Archbold, Ohio.
Jerry Burrey ’65: He worked in public education for 33 years serving as a teacher, head basketball coach, head baseball coach, athletic director and guidance counselor.
Dave Sheldon: After working in administration for the NBA’s Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, he moved into education as a teacher and athletic director in Bucyrus City Schools.

Impact on Community and Beyond

Bluffton University alumni are known for their commitment to service and their desire to make a positive impact on the world.

Dr.: He began working in public health and violence prevention.
Ray R. Ramseyer: Ramseyer worked in the advancement division at Bluffton.
Dr.: He has been a member of Bluffton’s Board of Trustees since 2009.
Bindernagel: He has been involved in civic activities ranging from the Shawnee School District Board to Allen County Health Partners.