Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to Ashland University, Ashland Theological Seminary, and the Ashbrook Center.

Marjorie Adams
Although currently attending another denominational congregation, her Brethren roots reached far enough down to find ...
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Bruce and Margaret Bigham
Longtime friends of the University, Bruce and Margaret maintained a special place in their hearts for Ashland long after their daughter...
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Jack and Betty Brant
"Planned giving" means many things. It can mean that the gift may be deferred until after the death of the donor.
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Harry (’40) and Jan Schwab (’46) Brown
Insurance and a charitable remainder trust are the two vehicles Harry and Jan chose to utilize to make their legacy gift to Ashland University.
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Tom and Edy Campbell (Parents of Shawn and Kacy)
The tragic death of both of their children, Shawn and Kacy, from congenital heart defects led the Campbell’s to investigate a way in which new meaning might come from this heartbreak.
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Laurence “Larry” Ford
Sometimes the best laid plans need to be changed. And this is exactly what Larry Ford discovered when he made a decision that he wanted to ...
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Gretchen French
Through the friendship of Phillip and Jean Lersch, became acquainted with the special appeal of Ashland University. An Ohio native from the Cincinnati and Columbus areas...
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Ralph (‘25) and Mary Hastings
Basketball was Ralph’s passion at Ashland College when he was a student. And, it only grew stronger as the years went by, and by, and by!
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Forrest and Helen Pancoast Hoot
Forrest and Helen Pancoast Hoot established an endowed scholarship many years ago. They enjoyed the opportunity of seeing students receive scholarships from this generous gift during their lives.
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Robert and Sharlene “Cuda” Ingmand
2003 proved to be a very special year for the Ingmand’s gifting to Ashland University.
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Myron and Bernice Kem
Myron ’28 and Bernice ’28 Kem have been very generous in service and with their financial resources to Ashland University during their lifetimes.
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Leon Lantz ‘41
A political science professor at Drake, Universities of Tennessee and Findlay, loved Ashland University and was a life time supporter of the Ashland University Annual Fund.
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Harold and Mary Alice Dafler (‘47) Mielke
Although Harold, a much loved professor of business and economics at Ashland University, passed a way many years ago...
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Verdabell Plank Miller
The Verdabell Plank Miller Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Teacher Education, in honor of her lifelong commitment to the love of education, was established through a bequest from her estate.
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Brad and Christine Miller (’37) Mishler
Although they announced several years ago that Christine, alum and true benefactor to the art department at Ashland University, that they were making ...
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Sadie Ralston and Dorothy Ralston Manchester
The Sadie Ralston and Dorothy Ralston Manchester Endowed Scholarship was established with a bequest by Dorothy Ralston Manchester ‘32 ...
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Carl and Avis Ramsey
Carl and Avis Ramsey surprised Ashland University with a bequest. Ashland Theological Seminary received funds utilized in the construction of the Sandberg Leadership Center...
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Matthew ’41 and Lovina (Senseman) ’41 Resick
Shortly after the death of her beloved husband, Matthew, Lovina established a charitable gift annuity to ultimately supplement their Matthew C. and Lovina S. Resick Endowed Scholarship program.
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Dr. James ’41 and Marilyn (Carpenter) ’41 Richcreek
Jim and Marilyn (Carpenter) Richcreek have joined family members in seeing that Ashland University becomes the recipient of their estate plan.
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Sam ’48 and Beth (Boardman) ‘48 Richmond
Looking how to support the Building on Strength Campaign, Beth Richmond examined her estate plan. After consulting with the Legacy Estate Programs office...
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Dr. Lewis ’50 and Ardeth (Kline) ’52 Smith
The Smiths had planned to wait for their estate plan to provide Ashland University with a wonderful 50 acre environmental preserve...
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Edward and Louaine Taylor
Ed Taylor continued the generosity he and Louaine started over 20 years ago by establishing an endowed chair program at the Ashbrook Center via a combination...
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Tom (’32) and Helen Ruhlin (’62) Vanosdall:
Long time friends and a beloved Chemistry professor, Tom Vanosdall, and his wife Helen not only established each their own endowed scholarships...
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John and Ruth Crumrine
You might have called them “Golden Eagles,” because they had not only passed that 50th year together but also of graduation from then Ashland College when they completed ...
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Paul Ditlevson
Paul Ditlevson, Director of the Legacy Estate Programs at Ashland University for nearly 19 years, suddenly passed away on Nov. 17, 2010.
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Ben Ferguson
Ben Ferguson, President, Bendon Publishing International, among the fastest growing publishers of children’s books and ...
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Tom & Dede Gregory
Too often labels are applied to relegate a person to a lesser position in order to elevate another, an idea or a position.
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Calvin “Cal” and Helen Rogers
As his playing days in the Colorado Springs Symphony came to an end, Ashland College's music faculty director Calvin Y. Rogers...
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Richard G. ’50 and Bonita L ’50 Ronk
Richard G. ’50 and Bonita L ’50 Ronk are two very special Eagle Emeriti who met at Ashland University and have maintained a close relationship with and deep commitment to Ashland University throughout their lives together.
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Noel ’30 and Ann Shaffer
Noel Shaffer '30 and his wife, Ann, never believed "in a hundred years" that they would see their lifetime payments from a charitable remainder unitrust benefitting Ashland University and several other charities, last so long.
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Dr. James H. Shumaker ‘43
Dr. Shumaker's story begins in Seville, Ohio, includes Ashland College, goes on to medical school and now continues in Santa Monica, Calif.
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