Bluffton University students, alumni and friends gathered for the university’s annual May Day and commencement festivities, May 3 and 4. The institution’s 114th commencement ceremony, held on May 4, recognized 260 graduates. Presenting “Valuing Education” was this year’s commencement speaker, David J. Berger, mayor of Lima.

The local graduates, all of Bluffton, are:

• Marlena Ballinger, bachelor of arts (BA) degree in organizational 

• Jonathan Bassett, master’s degree in business administration (MBA)

• Becky Foust, BA in social work

• Whitney Gleason, BA in social work

• Cory Hilty, BA in middle childhood education

• Wesley Lovett, MBA

• Tim I. McCarthy, BA in chemistry

• Cierra Moran, BA in food and nutrition

• Melissa Shepler, BA in social work

• Evan Skilliter, BA in recreation management

• Paula White, BA in organizational management

• Jessica Wischmeyer, master’s degree in education