Bluffton University students, alumni and friends recently gathered for the institution's annual May Day and commencement festivities, May 8 and 9. The institution's 110th commencement ceremony, held on May 9, recognized 270 graduates. This year's commencement speaker was Elaine Moyer, a Bluffton alumna and associate director of the Mennonite Education Agency. She presented "Engage Complexity - Live Simply."

Graduates from the local area include:

Earning master's degrees in education: Kelly Ren'e Prichard, Bluffton, Ohio; Jami L. Slager, Bluffton, Ohio.

Earning master's degrees in business administration: Steven D. Carr, Pandora, Ohio; Tammy Sue Augsburger Cottle, Pandora, Ohio.

Erin Michelle Neufeld Weaver, daughter of Paul and Laurel Neufeld Weaver, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in music education.

Chase Nathaniel Cupples, son of Richard and Linda Cupples, Mt. Cory, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. Cupples attends St. John Mennonite Church in Pandora.

Sarah Elizabeth Binkley, daughter of Gary and Irene Binkley, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a minor in coaching.

Virginia Hart Buckingham, daughter of Keith and Lolly Buckingham, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Adam Michael Burris, son of Michael and Mary Burris, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Brandon Allen Herr, son of James and Robin Herr, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned bachelor's degrees in marketing and sport management.

Devon Ross Matthews, son of Lawrence and Louise Matthews, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in religion. Matthews attends St. John Mennonite Church in Pandora.

Yelena Viktorovna Shekochikhin, daughter of Victor and Lyubov Shekochkhin, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in business administration.

Amy Nottingham-Johnson of Celina, Ohio, daughter of James and Denise Johnson, has earned a bachelor's degree in human resource management.

Adam Matthew Phillips, son of Denny and Kaye Phillips, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned bachelor's degrees in biology and pre-medicine. Phillips attends First Mennonite Church in Bluffton.

Gayle Allison Zimmerman, daughter of Robert and Carolyn Zimmerman, Bluffton, Ohio, has earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.