Goshen College prays for Bluffton University students, staff, families and community

Related news, media coverage and links:

• Bluffton University website
• Coverage on Mennonite Weekly Review
• Coverage on CNN.com

Bluffton's Report on the tragedy:

The Bluffton University baseball team was involved in a bus accident early Friday, March 2 in Atlanta, Ga. The bus, carrying 35 student-athletes, coaches and bus drivers, was on its way to Sarasota, Fla., to play in a doubleheader with Eastern Mennonite University before heading to Ft. Myers to participate in the Gene Cusic Classic. Four student-athletes, the bus driver and the bus driver’s wife were killed in the accident.

Victims include Bluffton University students Tyler Williams (Lima, Ohio); David Betts (Bryan, Ohio); Scott Harmon (Lima, Ohio) and Cody Holp (Arcanum, Ohio); the bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean Niemeyer, both of Columbus Grove, Ohio.

Bluffton University President James M. Harder spoke to the media, faculty, staff and community members this morning at 11 a.m. in Founders Hall. “This is a profoundly tragic and sad day for the Bluffton University campus community,” said President Harder. “We are appreciative of the support we have been receiving from individuals and institutions both local and national. Our students and campus community are a close-knit family, and all are deeply impacted by the unfolding events.”

Classes were cancelled for the day and student organizations planning to head out on spring-break trips cancelled their plans in order for students to be with each other and their families during this time of grieving. Trained counselors, local area pastors and community members have been available throughout the day for students to meet with.

“Bluffton University has a strong foundation of supporters,” said President Harder. “Many individuals are offering their services, and we are truly indebted to them.”

Bluffton University’s priority is providing support and assistance for members of the baseball team, their families and friends, as well as members of the Bluffton campus community. Prayers and support during this time of tragedy are appreciated.

All scheduled Bluffton University-sanctioned spring break trips have been cancelled.

Goshen College students, faculty, administrators and staff are praying for the families of Bluffton University student-athletes and staff killed or injured in a charter bus crash in Atlanta early Friday.

Goshen College President James E. Brenneman, who has been traveling with the Men’s Chorus on its spring break tour since Feb. 23, offered prayers for those killed or injured and for their families and friends.

“On behalf of the Goshen College community, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy and for those injured and for the entire Bluffton University community,” Brenneman said from Glendale, Ariz.

“Our hearts are broken by these tragic events. Our relationships and connections to our sister school run very deep,” said Brenneman, who sent a timely e-mail informing the campus community of the tragedy.

A charter bus carrying members of the Bluffton baseball team crashed early Friday, killing students Tyler Williams of Lima, Ohio; David Betts of Bryan, Ohio; Scott Harmon of Lima, Ohio; Cody Holp of Arcanum, Ohio; and the bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean Niemeyer, both of Columbus Grove.

Authorities said 29 people were injured, three seriously. There were 35 people on the bus.

Brenneman said Goshen College faculty and staff were offering help “in any way that is needed at this time” to Bluffton, which is in northwest Ohio. “We will support them in any way we can,” he said.

Goshen College offered pastoral and student support services to Bluffton. In addition, the Goshen College community will gather at 10 a.m. Monday — the day classes resume — at the Church-Chapel for a service of prayer and remembrance.

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Bill Born said staff of the Wellness and Health Center, Campus Ministries and Student Life would be available to meet with returning Goshen College students, starting Sunday.

“We know that many students have personal connections with students at Bluffton University and we want to give any of them the opportunity to personally contact our staff,” Born said.

The Goshen College community feels a close connection to those at their sister institution of the Mennonite Church because of extensive family ties, friendships and professional relationships.

Like Goshen College, Bluffton University is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Bluffton, which has 1,150 students, is a four-year educational institution that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees from its 234-acre campus.

The Bluffton baseball team was headed to Sarasota, Fla. to play a double-header game against Eastern Mennonite University before heading to Fort Myers to participate in the Gene Cusic Classic, March 5-9.

The Goshen College men’s baseball team also is on a tour of the South, with games scheduled Feb. 25-March 2 in Tennessee.

“Our hearts and our prayers go out to the Bluffton University baseball team and community,” said Stan Daugherty, Goshen men’s basketball coach and associate athletic director. “We are praying for God's marvelous peace and love to comfort each family that has been affected by this tragedy. We will be available to help them in any way possible.”

Goshen has deep athletic ties to Bluffton, Daugherty noted. The Leafs faced Bluffton in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s basketball this academic year. The Goshen College baseball team last played Bluffton during the 2004 season.

“This is a terrible tragedy on any scope, but it hits closer to home considering our various relationships with Bluffton,” said Cory Furman, Goshen College sports information director. “Athletically speaking, we are very close with Bluffton. Our institutions maintain a yearly rivalry in many sports. I know that many of our student-athletes are deeply affected by (Friday’s) news. We pray for everyone involved.”

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.