Bluffton University has announced its 2012 May Day court, which was elected by the student body and will be honored during the annual May Day celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, on the Centennial Hall lawn. The rain location is Founders Hall.

May Day is one of the oldest traditions at Bluffton. In addition to the crowning of the king and queen, the day's events include the Maypole dance by first-year students and recognition of graduating seniors.

The court includes King Alexander Woodring and Queen Chalsi Eastman, both seniors, along with senior escort Nathaniel Stroud, senior attendant Bethany Bowman and junior chairpersons Jonathan Luginbill and Laurie Nofziger.

Alexander Woodring, king
Woodring, the son of Karen and David Woodring, is from Sherwood, Ohio. A communication major with a graphic design minor, he has been a member of Camerata Singers, Accent! men's chorus and concert band. Head editor and station manager of Bluffton Connection.com, he has also been a resident advisor, hall association president, theme-housing coordinator and theatre sound designer.

Chalsi Eastman, queen
Eastman, from Norwalk, Ohio, is majoring in religion with a concentration in biblical studies and a minor in youth ministry. She has been a religion department assistant, Spiritual Life Week coordinator and Prayer Labyrinth coordinator, as well as vice president of the Riley Court Hall Association and a member of Young Democrats. Her parents are Kelli and Nikhil Mishra and Keith and Amy Eastman.

Nathaniel Stroud, senior attendant
A food and nutrition major with a concentration in dietetics, Stroud is from Troy, Ohio. He is a C. Henry Smith Scholar and has been active in the Nutrition Association, Student Senate, the Cross-Cultural Committee and Young Democrats. He is a member of the men's tennis team, was a member of the Homecoming court last fall and has been a Learning Resource Center assistant. He is the son of Lawrence Stroud and Jane Gray.

Bethany Bowman, senior attendant
Also a member of last fall's Homecoming court, Bowman is a social work major, with a minor in missions, from Piqua, Ohio. She is a member of the Social Work Club and the Gospel Choir, and has been a hall chaplain, pastoral assistant, Campus Ministries office assistant and member of the Spiritual Life Week planning committee. Her parents are Bob and Sheila Bowman.

Jonathan Luginbill, junior chairperson
Luginbill, of Bluffton, is majoring in music/liberal arts and has been active in Camerata Singers, Accent! men's chorus, concert band and May Day musicals. A C. Henry Smith Scholar, he is a member of the Honors Program who has also been a resident advisor and has filled the role of Bluffton mascot J. Denny Beaver. He is the son of Doug and Paula Luginbill.

Laurie Nofziger, junior chairperson
Majoring in youth ministries and recreation, Nofziger has been a member of the Spiritual Life Week and chapel planning committees, as well as Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC). She has also participated in intramurals. The Lyons, Ohio, resident is the daughter of Mike and Gwen Nofziger.