The late James M. Oliver was a 1954 Bluffton graduate, who passed away in 1998. Oliver was an outstanding football player on both sides of the ball. He earned all-conference honors several times and was a four-year letterwinner. He was also a member of the track team and competed in two events, discus and shot put. 
After attending Bluffton, he completed his compulsory military service as a paratrooper and then continued his higher education at The Adelphi College, obtaining a master’s degree in social work. Most of his professional career was spent with human service organizations. Prior to his death, he was on the teaching faculty of Youngstown State University’s sociology department, working closely with the urban studies program.
After attending Bluffton, he completed his compulsory military service as a paratrooper and then continued his higher education at The Adelphi College, obtaining a master’s degree in social work. Most of his professional career was spent with human service organizations. Prior to his death, he was on the teaching faculty of Youngstown State University’s sociology department, working closely with the urban studies program.