BLUFFTON, Ohio – Kirra Heavilin, an incoming student at Bluffton University, has been awarded the university’s Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship, valued at more than $16,000 over four years. Heavilin, of Perry, Ohio, is the daughter of Brian and Teresa Heavilin and graduated as valedictorian from Perry High School in 2026. At Bluffton, Heavilin plans to pursue a STEM-related course of study. The Knowlton Scholarship at Bluffton is awarded to two high-achieving residents of Ohio who major in STEM-related fields. The scholarship is granted in addition to Bluffton University’s academic merit scholarships.