Bluffton University brings back May Day celebration

BLUFFTON — May Day — a long-standing tradition at Bluffton University — returns today after an absence of several years. Among the activities planned are tours, a student art exhibit, nature preserve open house and an alumni sing. While many will remember the maypole dance and crowning of the May Day queen, the celebration will look different this year, reflecting the university's commitment to honoring Bluffton's traditions in ways that fit today's campus community, said Cara Echols, assistant director of public relations, in an email. "Bluffton's alumni and friend network has always been a strong one, and while alumni reunions are held primarily during Homecoming, many find any moment to connect on campus offers a space for reunion and reconnection, no matter the season," she said. Bluffton's May Day event began on May 24, 1910 as a Chautauqua-style public assembly on the grounds of Central Mennonite College (the college was founded as Central Mennonite College by the General Conference Mennonite Church in 1899). Invited speakers addressed the assembled crowd on the topic of education. The day was "organized as an educational event and a way to bring the campus and community together," Carrie Phillips, director of Musselman Library, said via email. A similar event was held in 1911 before taking a two-year pause, she said. The college reorganized in 1913, and May Day was held for the first time at the renamed Bluffton College in 1914. Events "looked more like we have come to know them, with a crowning of a queen, a maypole dance (actually performed twice that day), and other events, like a parade and a theatrical performance, Phillips said. Viola Welty was crowned as the first May Day Queen during a ceremony held on the College Hall lawn. An article in the school's original student-run newspaper, The Witmarsum, summed up the event: "Without doubt one of the most memorable days to the students of Bluffton College as well as to the residents of Bluffton was May Day, observed May 29. A beautiful day and the campus made gay with colors of white, pink and green and prettily decorated booths, greeted the students and their friends as they gathered on the green. After the singing of the Alma Mater by the students, a bugle call announced the coming of the queen and her procession. Miss Ethel Steinman, maid of honor, led the procession and crowned Miss Viola Welty as Queen of May upon her arrival at the beautiful throne erected on the College lawn." The news account continued: "Miss Welty, dressed in robes of white and wearing a beautiful crown of flowers made a very pretty Queen as she sat upon her imposing throne ... After a few selections by the attendants to the Queen of May, the May Pole Girls, upon curtseying to the Queen, very prettily gave the winding and the unwinding of the May Pole." Several clever stunts were offered, given by different organizations like the YMCA, Literary Societies, Academy, Press Club, YWCA, faculty and ladies' basketball team. A tug of war over Riley Creek followed. The queen and her followers, headed by the college band, later climbed into autos and paraded through the streets of Bluffton. "A pantomime of 'Hiawatha,' to have been given by the Oratory class on the banks of the lagoon, promised to be the crowning feature of the evening, but a sudden storm interrupted the action when it was only fairly begun. Thus ended a thoroughly enjoyable day," the reporter concluded. The May 1915 issue of The Witmarsum reported that the 1914 May Day events were held, in part, to provide fundraising for the YMCA and YWCA campus organizations so they could send representatives to the annual national conference in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. Proceeds totaled $80. Phillips said she hasn't yet uncovered the reason why this type of celebration was chosen at Bluffton, although these types of events were popular in the early part of the 20th century. May Day activities also began to draw an alumni audience, she said. "As I look through old programs, the May Day ceremony moved to commencement week in 1917, but it was usually held on a day marked 'Class Day,' which seems to have been a celebration day for the senior class and separate from any alumni events," she explained. By 1934, the program showed some alumni events happening prior to the May Queen's processional. By 1938, the day included a time slot for class reunions, said Phillips. She noted that activities were widely varied over the years. There were receptions and dinners, athletic events, concerts, parades, recitals, alumni gatherings, class reunions and almost always some kind of theatrical performance. But the coronation/processional of the queen and her court and the maypole dance were always part of the festivities. May Day would became a tradition at Bluffton. And when the event was moved to commencement weekend, it became a way to introduce the graduating class to all who had gathered on the college lawn and to welcome those graduates into the Bluffton alumni community. Because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the cancelation of on-campus events, May Day events for 2020 and 2021 were held virtually. Following the disruption of in-person traditions, Echols said the school, now named Bluffton University, took intentional time to listen to both students and alumni about the future of alumni engagement. "Through these conversations, it became clear that while May Day held deep historical meaning, the way alumni and current students connect with Bluffton has evolved," she said. Today's alumni span five generations, each with different needs, expectations and abilities to engage, said Echols. Feedback showed a growing desire for more accessible, flexible and inclusive opportunities, particularly options that extend beyond a single, campus-based spring event. At the same time, current students expressed a shift in how they build community and celebrate their Bluffton experience. In response, the university made the decision to move away from the traditional May Day model and toward a more intentional, year-round approach to alumni programming, she said. "This shift allows Bluffton to honor its history while creating meaningful opportunities for connection that reflect the needs of today's students and alumni — whether on campus, during Homecoming, or through expanded virtual or regional engagement," she said. "With the most recent rebuilding of the college's advancement team, we've had greater resources to review the current state of alumni relations and heard requests for a return of some sort of spring gathering for alumni." She said this year's May Day is a reimagining of a long-standing tradition that many in the community remember fondly. "It marks a thoughtful reintroduction of this special day with a curated schedule of events designed to bring alumni and friends together this spring," Echols said. Bluffton has received positive feedback from alumni and friends across multiple channels, and Echols said they're looking forward to celebrating with them during this spring event. "As we continue to evaluate the needs of our growing alumni network, we'll look to see how May Day takes shape as we continue to progress as an institution," she said. A schedule of May Day events can be found at https://www.bluffton.edu/blufftonalumni/connect/may-day/index.aspx Today also marks Bluffton's 2026 commencement ceremonies.