Bluffton University will celebrate its 100th May Day weekend May 6-9 with traditional alumni reunions, student activities and graduation events.
Added to the festivities this year are three special events on Saturday, May 8:
. From 1:30-2:15 p.m. in the Marbeck Center Gallery Lounge, students and campus visitors may Visit with the Author, President Emeritus Lee Snyder, about her recently published memoir, "At Powerline and Diamond Hill-Unexpected Intersections of Life and Work." The book is available in the campus bookstore and from online book retailers.
. Dr. George Lehman, the university's Howard Raid Professor of Business, will host "Business, Finance & Bluffton: The Legacy of Howard Raid" at 3:30 p.m. in the Musselman Library Reading Room. The program, to be followed by a reception, will commemorate Bluffton's contributions to business and finance.
. Marbeck Center will be the site of a Celebration of Service for Willis Sommer, retiring vice president for fiscal affairs and associate professor of business. Beginning at 6 p.m. and hosted by President James Harder, the program includes dinner and reflections on Sommer's 31 years of service to the university. Tickets are required; call the box office at 419-358-3239.
Students and their families, Bluffton alumni and community members are encouraged to participate in the weekend's events, which also include:
Thursday, May 6-Saturday, May 8
. A production of the musical adaptation of "Little Women," at 8 p.m. in Founders Hall. Tickets are $12 for reserved seats and $5 for bleacher seats. Tickets are required; call the box office at 419-358-3239.
. The 43rd annual Juried Student Art Exhibition in the Sauder Visual Arts Center. Hours in the Grace Albrecht Gallery are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Friday, May 7
. Baseball vs. Franklin, 4 p.m., Memorial Field.
Saturday, May 8
. May Day four-mile run/College Cabin walk, 8:30 a.m. start, Burcky Gym. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Visit www.bluffton.edu/blufftonalumni/mayday/run/ for registration information.
. Admissions presentation for high school students and their families, 9 a.m., Kreider Room, Marbeck Center.
. Alumni Choir sing, 9:15 a.m., Yoder Recital Hall.
. Ministry Team reunion, 9:15 a.m., Bob's Place, Marbeck Center. The 2009-10 Shining Through ministry team will lead a worship service at 9:30 a.m.
. May Day ceremony, 11 a.m., Centennial Hall lawn. The ceremony celebrates the end of the academic year, the beginning of a new chapter for graduates and remembrance of times past for alumni. It includes the colorful Maypole dance by first-year students, the crowning of the May Day king and queen, and recognition of graduating seniors.
. May Day buffet luncheon (Marbeck Center Commons) and box lunch (Centennial Hall lawn), both at noon. Tickets are required; call the box office at 419-358-3239.
. Baseball doubleheader vs. Franklin, Senior Day, noon, Memorial Field.
. Academic department reception, 1 p.m., Centennial Hall lawn.
. Class reunions, 1 p.m., various locations.
. Honors recital, 2:30 p.m., Yoder Recital Hall. Music students who have achieved outstanding work in performance are selected by faculty to appear in the recital.
. Ultimate Frisbee game, 4 p.m., Adams Bridge lawn.
Sunday, May 9
. Baccalaureate ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Founders Hall. J. Alexander Sider, assistant professor of religion, will give the baccalaureate address, titled "Lift Up Those Who Are Bowed Down."
. Commencement, 2 p.m., Salzman Stadium. "Engage Complexity, Live Simply" will be the topic of guest speaker Elaine Moyer, associate director of the Mennonite Education Agency and a Bluffton alumna.
For a complete listing of May Day weekend events, and more information, visit www.bluffton.edu/blufftonalumni/mayday/schedule.
