By Courtney Weekley
Nita Hashbarger, student billing coordinator, will be retiring at the end of this month on Oct. 31.
Hashbarger graduated from Pandora-Gilboa in 1974 then worked in a bank located in Lima right after graduating. She moved to a bank in Pandora, Ohio, in 1978 where she became vice president of the writing and loan department. Hashbarger came to Bluffton in 2000 and has been here ever since.
“I’m going to spend the rest of my time doing things at home that have been neglected over the years because of working full time,” said Hashbarger. “I plan on painting and reading out stuff and cleaning up.”
Hashbarger also has three grandkids and she plans to spend most of her time with them. She said that retirement will allow her to go to their sports games in the afternoon in a timely fashion.
Jenean Shannon, business manager in the business office, said that Nita is their favorite cook and baker. Everyone in the office enjoys her salsa recipe and cakes she makes when she has brings food into the office.
Hashbarger in her office located in College Hall in the business office. Photo by Courtney Weekley.
“The first year or two I worked with Nita, we may have pulled a few pranks on our co-workers,” said Shannon. “We’ve had a lot of laughs and have also been through some more challenging times.”
Shannon and Hashbarger have worked in the business office for 15 years together. Shannon said that Hashbarger has always greeted everyone with a smile in the office and is there to help anyone in need.
Hashbarger said that she will miss the social aspect of Bluffton after she retires. She said that her goal at Bluffton was to help students get to the point when they are ready to graduate, that they are set to leave confidently to get their diploma and hit employment.
“She will definitely be missed by many people on campus and we all wish her well in retirement,” said Shannon.
