Bluffton University will mark its annual May Day weekend May 5-8 with traditional alumni reunions, student activities and graduation events, as well as a celebration of its social work program.

Featured at "Social Work Pathways," beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in Musselman Library, will be social work alumni Dr. Elaine Ragsdale Schott, David Voth and Eva Voth, along with Jennifer Hughes, assistant professor of social work and current program chair.

Social work dates to the 1940s at Bluffton and now leads the list of the top five majors by enrollment at the university.

Students and their families, Bluffton alumni and community members are encouraged to participate in the weekend's events, which also include:

Thursday, May 5-Saturday, May 7

. A production of the musical comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," at 8 p.m. each evening in Founders Hall. Tickets are $13 for reserved seats and $5.50 for bleacher seats. Tickets are required; order online at http://tickets.bluffton.edu or contact the box office at 419-358-3239 or [email protected].

. The 44th 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. each day.

Friday, May 6

. Baseball vs. Manchester, 4 p.m., Memorial Field.

Saturday, May 7

. 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 2010-11 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), and class reunions, noon.

Tickets are required; contact the box office at 419-358-3239 or [email protected]. The Bluffton-based band Anabaptist Bestiary Project will also perform at noon on the Centennial Hall lawn.

. Baseball doubleheader vs. Manchester, noon, Memorial Field.. Academic departments reception, 1 p.m., Centennial Hall lawn.
. Music department 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.. "Social Work Pathways," with alumni of Bluffton's social work program and Jennifer Hughes, current program chair, 3:30 p.m., Musselman Library.
. Ultimate Frisbee, 4 p.m., Adams Bridge lawn.
Sunday, May 8

. Baccalaureate ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Founders Hall. Rudi Kauffman, assistant professor of restorative justice, will give the baccalaureate address.

. Commencement, 2 p.m., Salzman Stadium. "For Such a Time as This ..." will be the topic of guest speaker Dr. Robert Hewitt, Professor Emeritus of social work at Shippensburg (Pa.) University and a Bluffton alumnus.

For a complete listing of May Day weekend events, and more information, visit www.bluffton.edu/blufftonalumni/mayday/schedule.