Graduating from high school in 1971, I only inquired about information from a few schools. Within the week I received a catalog and forms from Ashland College, as it was known back then. I recall telling my parents and guidance counselor, all of whom were impressed with such a quick response. Ashland scored big points by showing they were interested in ME!! Growing up in the small town of Brookfield, Ohio, I had already decided I wanted to go to a smaller school where I was not just a number. Ashland lived up to its motto of “Accent on the Individual.” My campus tour focused primarily on the science program and the wrestling team. Dr. Van Osdall was inspiring and Coach Ford was encouraging. After two years and two injuries, I dropped wrestling but was always welcomed by Coach Ford. I spent my first two years in Clayton Hall and supervised the front desk with the old switchboards. I made so many new friends and became known as the “resident escape artist” due to my recreation of Houdini’s performances. I even got permission to hang upside down in a straitjacket from the gymnasium rafters. During my junior year, I lived in the Kappa Sigma house. Greek life expanded my horizons and became a big part of my last two years. Community service and responsibilities grew as a member of the Greek community. My senior year opened up another aspect of college life….apartment life. This rounded out my experience, having lived in a dorm, then the fraternity house and, now, off campus in an apartment. I learned lessons that have lasted a lifetime. I have told people over and over again that I would not give up my four years at Ashland for anything. I learned more and grew up more in those four years than in the eighteen years prior to matriculating. Over the years, I have recommended Ashland University to numerous individuals. Not only did I change over those four years, but so did the university. Most notably, females, including your mom, were only allowed in the dorm rooms on Sundays between noon and three. Also, you had to keep you door open during that time. By graduation, through the work of student government and the administration, rules were changed to permit 24-hour visitation. In closing, let me say that Ashland, the university and the city, played a huge role in my life. The academic education prepared me for two Masters’ programs and a career in the clinical and biomedical professions. The social education and personal growth I achieved at Ashland has lasted a lifetime. A big part of who I became is directly related to choosing Ashland, and for that I am grateful and proud to be an alumnus.
