I first visited Ashland because Coach Martinelli was a close, personal friend of my parents. I immediately fell in love with the intimacy of the campus and the welcoming nature of those with whom I had contact. One of the first persons I remember meeting was Ralph Tomassi, and I am proud to call Mr. Eagle a friend to this day. Although I loved the school and was eager to attend, the cost of a private university was daunting, to say the least. My mother convinced me to apply and take the Scholar Test, and, much to my surprise, I placed second on this examination (even after laying in the corner of the room to write my essay after Mr. Tom Brown told us to do whatever we needed to get comfortable). As a result, I received a full, four-year scholarship that included tuition along with room and board.
During my freshman year, I was fortunate enough to live on a floor where I was able to form a fast and lasting bond with a great group of fellow students. This was especially true throughout the multitude of fire alarms! A majority of us would go on to share living space over the entire four years of college. Third floor Clayton became our fraternity without being a fraternity, and this brotherhood remains strong to this day. I do not believe that this would have been possible at a larger school.
I was also fortunate to have discovered noon faculty basketball pick-up games, where I was welcomed with open arms by such luminary members of the faculty and administration as Dr. Fraas, Ralph Tomassi, Frank Condino, and Brian Siddall, among others. This ability to interact with members of the faculty and administration staff cemented my belief that Ashland was the right school for me. It even resulted in an invitation to play intercollegiate lacrosse (which I declined) and to run track (which I accepted for my freshman year).
I was fortunate to become involved in Campus Activity Board (CAB). I served as stage manager for the Eddie Money concert and as the manager of the staff presenting Eddie Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Through CAB, I was also able to indulge in one of my true loves—to DJ various dances. Being a member of Orientation Staff allowed me to convey my love of Ashland to the incoming new and transfer students.
If I had to focus on one aspect of Ashland that I found to be paramount in my experience, though, it would be a combination of the personal nature of my professors, their ready accessibility to assist even after class hours, and the nature of class sizes that were small enough to cater to every student. I do not necessarily want to single out any particular professor, for fear that I would leave someone out, but I would be remiss if I did not recognize the influence that Dr. John Nethers, Dr. John Fraas, Dr. Smith of the English Department, and of course, Dr. Shockley, who, in the first class I ever had at Ashland, knew something about everyone on his roster, which let me know that I was a name, not a number; and more importantly, let me know I was home.
The only possibly negative thing that I could say about Ashland is that, to this day, I am still searching for a pizza as good as KD! Go Eagles!!
