Merger Agreement Signed

The presidents of Ashland University and MedCentral Health System signed an official merger agreement on Tuesday afternoon on the front porch of the MedCentral College of Nursing in Mansfield.

The agreement, signed by Ashland University President Dr. Frederick J. Finks and James E. Meyer, MedCentral Health System president and CEO, follows approval of the merger between Ashland University and MedCentral College of Nursing by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

“We have received approval for the merger from the Higher Learning Commission and are now able to move forward with an agreement that calls for the merger to be effective as of Aug. 15,” said Ashland University Provost Dr. Frank Pettigrew.

The exciting news as part of the signing agreement on Tuesday came from Margaret Pomfret, executive director of development and campaigns at Ashland University, who announced a $5 million lead gift for the campaign to build a new academic building on the Balgreen campus in Mansfield.

The lead gift is from Ashland University alumnus Dwight Schar and will result in the MedCentral College of Nursing being named the Dwight Schar College of Nursing.

Pomfret said the theme for the building campaign, “Compassion, Community, Commitment...Building a Healthy Tomorrow," captures the essence of the blending of the Ashland and Mansfield communities.

Ashland University will continue to operate the nursing program in its present location on Glessner Avenue for now, but is moving ahead with plans to build the new facility as soon as possible.

The official agreement calls for Ashland University to lease the program’s Academic Building located on Glessner Avenue as well as the two residence halls located on the Balgreen Campus at the corner of Marion Avenue and Trimble Road.

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.