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ACN to host executive director of the Sierra Club for special presentation and fundraiser
ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland Center for Nonviolence (ACN) will welcome Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club, to Ashland University for a fundraising dinner and presentation on Wednesday, March 26. Jealous’ presentation is free and open to the public and begins at 7 p.m., at the John C. Myers Convocation Center, while the fundraising event is from 5-6:30 p.m. Jealous will present “Why We Will Win,” a summary of his own journey into…
AU Theatre, Kroc Youth Theatre partnering to present “The Sound of Music” March 21-23
ASHLAND, Ohio – For the first time ever the Ashland University Department of Theatre and the Ashland Kroc Youth Theatre are joining forces and will present the timeless classic, “The Sound of Music,” from Friday through Sunday, March 21-23, at AU’s Hugo Young Theatre inside the Center for the Arts (331 College Ave.). There will be four shows, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. “The Sound of Music,” winner of the 1959 Tony…
Dru Johnson's passion for volunteering stems from strong faith in Christ
Dru Johnson grew up in a family heavily involved in their church. His father used to be youth pastor, his mother was a children’s director at one time and he and his three sisters have all been involved in the youth group. “It was one of those things, ‘We need some volunteers, we know the Johnsons are going to be there,’ ” he said. “How that has played a part in my life has been huge.” That passion for volunteering in his hometown of Van Wert, Ohio, has…
D.J. Duncan thanks God for guiding him to AU, starting his clothing brand business
D.J. Duncan believes there’s one major reason everything has worked out so well for him in his life, particularly at Ashland University. “The way things have lined up for me, there is no other reason than God,” said the AU senior who will graduate in May. “I don’t know how the opportunities have come my way except for because of God. I have just put my head down and worked hard and believed in him.” One of those opportunities came during his junior year at…
Taylor Anderson continues her busy schedule from AU to the Hall of Fame Village
When Taylor Anderson was a student at Ashland University, she often woke up at 4 a.m. to coach a few CrossFit courses at A-Town Strength & Conditioning Gym before attending classes at AU, followed by working as an event planner for Ashland Golf Club on several evenings and weekends. Her schedule is just as busy as a recent AU grad, working full-time as a private events coordinator for the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, selling real estate on the side and…
Bob and Jan Archer donate $1 million to Ashland Center for Nonviolence
ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland Center for Nonviolence at Ashland University recently marked its 20th anniversary, and now thanks to the generosity of Bob and Jan Archer, the center’s long-term future has been secured. The Archers have donated $1 million to establish the Janet L. Archer Ashland Center for Nonviolence Endowed Fund. Jan Archer has been a supporter of ACN since its inception and is delighted to establish this fund, which will support the center’s…
Eight AU faculty/staff members recognized with Academic Mentor Award
ASHLAND, Ohio – Eight Ashland University faculty and staff members were honored during the 2025 Academic Mentor Awards ceremony held recently at the John C. Myers Convocation Center. The annual program recognizes AU mentors who significantly affect a student’s life beyond the classroom by serving as a role model, trusted advisor and guide. This year’s Mentor Awards were presented to Tony Basham, Ph.D., assistant professor of New Testament; Christopher Burkett…
Winter Choral Concert on Feb. 23 to feature AU Chamber Singers, AU Choir
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University’s annual Winter Choral Concert is set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 23, and will include performances by the AU Chamber Singers, the AU Choir and a special feature. The concert, which is free and open to the public, begins at 4 p.m., at Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music at AU, will conduct both groups. All music will be sung unaccompanied. The AU Chamber…
AU student and mental health advocate Sarah Watson earns national Outstanding Peer Educator Award
ASHLAND, Ohio – Sarah Watson, a junior at Ashland University, has earned national recognition for her powerful and relentless work on mental health awareness, as she was selected for the Outstanding Peer Educator Award at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Peer Education Conference, held in Boston on Jan. 18. Watson emerged as the winner from four finalists for the Outstanding Peer Educator Award, which recognizes students’…
AU grad retires after nearly 50 years in the broadcast television industry
It didn’t take long for Dave Howitt to use what he learned at Ashland as a radio/TV major, starting a job at WUAB-TV in Cleveland shortly after his May 1976 graduation. He has used that knowledge ever since, with nearly 50 years in the broadcast television industry, including the past 30-plus years with Sinclair Broadcast Group, a diversified media company. After hitting some personal and professional milestones in late 2024, Howitt said he felt it…
