By Cierra Long
At Bluffton University, there are multiple places for students to come together to help build community. Bob’s Place, Ropp Hall Pit and the Nature preserve happen to be favorite places for some students on Bluffton’s campus.
Bob’s Place 
Bob’s Place is in the downstairs portion of Marbeck Center. Bob’s Place is on the opposite side of the Dining Commons. It opened in 2003 and since has been a popular place on campus.
Bob’s placed is named in honor of Bluffton’s fifth president from 1965 to 72, Robert S. Kreider. The plaque in Bob’s states that President Kreider’s “vision for Marbeck Center was that students, faculty, parents, alumni and friends would gather here for good fellowship and conversation.”
Oftentimes, professors and faculty members will eat lunch here, or even meet up with students.
The area includes two large televisions, lounge furniture, dozens of tables and chairs, a pool table, foosball, ping pong and carpet ball.
Also, Freshëns, the fresh food studio is in Bob’s Place. Here students can use their Beaver Bucks, or meal swipes for food and drinks.
Between the hours of 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., students can use a “meal exchange” swipe for the following items: classic smoothies, rice bowls, mac-and-cheese bowls and a drink.
However, Beaver Bucks must be used for the following: flatbreads, toasted wraps, salads, wellness blend smoothies and any of the food or drinks not stored behind the counter.
The food and drinks not stored behind the counter include microwavable meals, sports drinks, coffee, ice cream and dry-stock snack foods.
“People come out of their rooms, get good food and a lot of them choose to hang out in Bob’s,” said sophomore, social work major James Hudson. “It gets people out of their rooms and to interact with one another.”
Kevin White, assistant director of the university event complex said his favorite part about his job is seeing students happy. As an alumnus, he enjoys, “focusing on events, seeing people smile, seeing people come out of their shell and getting to know one another.”
The Pit
The Pit is in the lobby in Ropp Hall. It is one of the entrances to the courtyard located in the center of Ropp Hall. Of all the residence halls, The Pit in Ropp is by far the largest lobby. It holds a ping pong table, pool table and lounge furniture with a television.
It’s sunken feature allows for a division of events. A meeting can be held in the upper section there can also be games going on down near the activities.
Kayla McSwords, junior nutrition and dietetics major, has lived here since her first year at Bluffton, so as she said, she has some bias.
McSwords said, “I am happy here and it’s a good community.”
This community feel is a large result of having the pit located in the residence hall.
“The Pit is a good part of Ropp. Someone is always in here, usually doing something… it is a good gathering place,” said McSwords.
Most importantly a lot of people from other dorms often hang out in the pit.
“It is a really common place to meet people from other dorms because they get lost if they venture further into the halls of Ropp,” said McSwords.
Bluffton University Nature Preserve
Located on the northwest edge of campus is the university nature preserve. It holds a pond, woodlands, and several animals.
Students can participate in water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and catch and release fishing. There are also trails to walk, a swinging bridge and the occasional cat.
The Moyer Nature Center is also located here. It is a facility used for recreational and educational purposes. According to the Bluffton University website, it was donated by Harriet Moyer in hopes to “create new memories for future generations for many years to come.”
These amenities, such as the Moyer Center and the water activities have not always been located at the preserve. Just like Lawrence, the director of financial aid, and Louise Matthews, director of the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, have not always lived in the farmhouse at the end of the drive.
Louise said she and her husband were invited by former president, Elmer Neufield, to live out there 35 years ago in order to make it more welcoming for visitors.
Louise described the preserve before they were invited as “uninviting.” Louise also believes students use the preserve better now, rather than abusing it like in the past. Giving the students things like the Moyer Center and water activities make it more welcoming said, Louise.
First-year, criminal justice and social work major, Lorenzo Salinas said he loves the nature preserve.
“It’s just a place where I can go chill,” said Salinas.
