Another year at Bluffton has come and gone. However, as we all know, this year was a more than a little different.
Back in March, Bluffton University switched from face-to-face classes to remote learning. All of us suddenly had to meet for class via the power of the internet.
Most of us had to transition from campus life to home life and had to say goodbye to a lot of things as well as never seeing the end result for the events we were working hard to plan.
We had to say goodbye to our professors and friends. We said goodbye to our RAs and residence halls. The sporting events and practices were canceled. Cross-culturals ended early. Campus events were canceled.
To all of the seniors, I can’t imagine what you must be feeling about having commencement postponed.
With everything canceled or moved, it is easy to see all the bad things going on in the world, and I hope the weekly issues of The Wit brought you all some normalcy.
I know our staff has been working hard to give you strong content, and I am so thankful to them for their hard work. Especially now when they were dealing with home life and school.
Even though we are all experiencing disappointment and loss, there is something about this apocalypse that allows us to discover something about ourselves. I know I have differently come to some realizations.
Maybe you learned a new skill. I am teaching myself Korean, made a couple of friendship bracelets and built my first Lego set.
Maybe you discovered something about yourself. I have been future planning for after graduation in 2021.
Maybe you are reconnecting with your friends through FaceTime or Zoom. I know FaceTime has allowed me to stay connected with a friend from high school that I don’t normally FaceTime, and I have used Zoom to study with others for class. Technology is really helpful right now.
I looked forward to meeting with my classes via Zoom because I got to see my classmates and have some human interaction outside of my house.
I learned there are many things that make Bluffton Bluffton that we are all missed out on these last few weeks.
It’s having study groups in Bob’s, helping each other prepare for your next exam. It’s being able to walk from one side of campus to the next in under 15 minutes. It’s gathering in the Commons and having meals together with your friends every day. It’s getting coffee at the Twisted Whisk, four dollar movies at the Shannon and waiting for the Dairy Freeze lovingly called the “Whippy Dip” on the first day it opens.
A lot of things are different now. Our plans for the summer are not what we would have imagined five months ago.
We still aren’t sure what the future will hold, but I hope it will lead us back to campus in the fall.
Nicole Centofanti,
2019-20 Managing editor
