Bluffton honors graduates and alumni during May Day weekend
- 05/08/08Bluffton University
Grey skies and rain couldn’t keep Bluffton (Ohio) University students, alumni and friends from gathering during the institution’s annual May Day and commencement festivities, May 2-4, continuing the 98-year-old tradition and concluding the academic year with the 108th commencement ceremony, during which Bluffton’s graduating class of 304—its second largest—received diplomas.
Bluffton University commencement speaker Brenda Phillips. Photo provided.
With the rain clouds lifting by Sunday, Salzman Stadium filled with graduates’ families and friends wanting to see their loved ones cross the stage and receive their hard-earned diplomas. Bluffton University president James M. Harder welcomed those in attendance: "Today we celebrate discovery, the quest for knowledge and wisdom, the challenge of creating a better future for our world and the great hope of living lives that advance the purposes of God’s universal kingdom."
Commencement speaker Dr. Brenda Phillips, a professor in the fire and emergency management program at Oklahoma State University and senior researcher in the Center for the Study of Disasters and Extreme Events, congratulated the graduating class on its achievements and encouraged individuals to continue actively engaging those around them as find their places in the world.
A 1980 Bluffton graduate, Phillips travels throughout the world, consulting with government agencies on matters involving natural disasters and the challenges associated with poverty, social justice and environmental destruction.
"If you had told me 28 years ago that I’d be doing what I’m doing today, I wouldn’t have believed you," said Phillips. "I waited many years for someone to hear what I had to say, and your moment will come too."
Phillips spoke of the importance of taking an active stance on issues pertaining to environmental stewardship—issues Bluffton has been promoting this the past year through its incorporation of a civic engagement theme in its academic curriculum.
"It’s up to us—you and me—to be the change, to serve as active agents," she said.
She gave graduates seven tips to becoming active change agents: (1) start where you are, (2) find your passion, (3) stand your ground, (4) trust I who you are, (5) embrace your skills, (6) leave no one behind and (7) stay on course.
"No one can do everything," said Phillips. "You must think broadly about your skills. We can’t bring about all the change that we want to on our own, but we can make a dent."
Following Phillips’ speech, retiring faculty member Don Brubaker was recognized for 21 years of exemplary service to Bluffton and awarded faculty emeritus status. As associate professor of social work, Brubaker served as the social work program director and used his professional training and experience in social agency and counseling settings to inform and energize his teaching. In addition to his passion for social work, Brubaker was active in community service and cross-cultural education, serving on the cross-cultural committee and coordinating the Northern Ireland Peace and Conflict Resolution program for a number of years.
Prior to commencement, graduating seniors and their families gathered for a baccalaureate service, which featured speeches by two graduating students, Mary Eckert (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) and Scott DeArmond (Berne, Ind.), as well as Dr. Lynda Nyce, professor of sociology. All speakers were chosen by the graduating class.
On Saturday, graduates, alumni and friends took in the annual Maypole dance, which has been part of Bluffton’s graduation weekend since 1910. Sixteen first-year students, wearing Germanic costumes, danced in pairs around the pole, weaving streamers together. The dance is symbolic of the weaving together of past, present and future; memories of the past, appreciation of the present and hope for the future are woven around the Maypole in a never-ending circle.
"As the Maypole is woven each year, this tradition also weaves together multiple generations of Bluffton students through a shared and common experience that seemingly transcends the passage of time," said President Harder in his opening remarks.
This year’s event was attended by representatives of every Bluffton class from 1933 to 2007. "This is truly a remarkable record," President Harder said. "Also, within this graduating class are at least seven third-generation Bluffton students, whose parents and grandparents also attended Bluffton." Those students, all from Mennonite families, include Andreas Baumgartner (Berne, Ind.); Micah Boehr (Bluffton, Ohio); Tim Kauffman (Bridgeville, Pa.); Sam McCullough (Bluffton, Ohio); Kalina Miller (Jeromesville, Ohio); Adam Shaw (Ada, Ohio); and Eva Voth (Bluffton, Ohio). Voth is a fourth generation Bluffton graduate.
A senior queen and king, elected by students, presided over the ceremony, which recognized all graduating seniors. This year’s king and queen were Jake Ross (Newark, Ohio) and Jenna Patty (Wauseon, Ohio).
After the ceremony, graduating seniors, their parents and alumni enjoyed reunion luncheons in Marbeck Center and under a tent on Centennial Hall lawn. The class of 1958 celebrated its 50th reunion and, as a class gift, donated more than $14,000 to the completion of the Circle of Remembrance located at Bluffton University Memorial Field.
Other weekend activities included the spring musical, Singin’ in the Rain; the 29th annual four-mile May Day run/5K walk; the Sauder Family Artists exhibit in Sauder Visual Arts Center; an honors recital by selected student performers; the Women’s Council Basket Sale; and a banquet for graduates and their families, welcoming the graduates into the Bluffton University Alumni Association.
Jill A. Duling, public relations office