A Look at the Past

Ashland University commemorated its 125th anniversary during the year 2003 and this year-long celebration provided an opportunity to take this institution of higher education to the next level.

The Ashland University of today would hardly be recognizable, particularly in terms of its size, scope and facilities, to those thousands of individuals who labored on its behalf during its early years.

It was June 28, 1877, when a town meeting was held in Ashland, Ohio, and the citizens of Ashland considered a proposal from members of the German Baptist Brethren Church to establish an institution of higher education. The Ashland Press reported that the citizens were promised the college would locate there if their city would raise $10,000.

The church and community fund raising campaign proved to be a success and on Feb. 17, 1878, a meeting was held to add up their campaign funds and make final plans. The success of the campaign was announced, the college was chartered on Feb. 20 and a church-related, co-educational institution was established.

In April of 1878, the board of trustees decided to purchase the “most desirable plot in town - 28 acres on the hill.” The first buildings to be constructed were Founders Hall and Allen Hall, constructed from bricks made on the site. Classes opened at Ashland College on Sept. 17, 1879, with somewhere between 55 and 75 students and eight faculty members.

The new institution grew slowly during its first few decades, but enrollment reached the 200 mark shortly after the turn of the century. By the 1950s, the College had added many new programs of study and experienced rapid growth from about 300 students to more than 2,500 in 1970.

By 1972, Ashland faced a financial crisis as a result of a decline in enrollment, a stagnating economy and a rapid building program. Shortly after this, several new programs -- a master of education, a master of business administration and a School of Nursing -- were created and a number of off-campus program centers were developed shortly thereafter.

By 1988, the North Central Association had renewed its accreditation of Ashland’s educational programs, and it was a time of renewal for the college. Enrollment grew by leaps and bounds, a campus beautification program was begun and the future looked very bright.

In 1989, college officials decided to change the name of the institution to Ashland University. This change to university status reflected more accurately what the institution had become, with total student enrollment around the 5,600 mark and almost evenly divided between graduate and undergraduate students.

Progress continued on campus during the 1990s with the construction of a new Student Center, the remodeling of a technology center, the offering of a Doctor of Education degree and the expansion of centers in Columbus and Massillon/Stark.

Today, Ashland University is in the midst of a $55 million comprehensive campaign to support new and renovated facilities as well as the endowment for academic programs, faculty positions and scholarships. The University has grown to more than 6,500 total students and become one of the finest institutions of higher education in the state of Ohio.

Known for its philosophy of “Accent on the Individual,” the University provides a quality educational experience that develops students “intellectually, spiritually, socially, culturally and physically.”