What's Happening at Ashland University

Ashland University junior Ryan Loughney (Grahamsville, N.Y./Tri-Valley) won his second consecutive national championship in the hammer throw on May 26 at the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championships in Turlock, Calif.

Thursday was the opening day of the three-day meet and if Loughney was suffering from any jet lag, he hid it well. On his second throw of the day, Loughney unleashed the winning throw of 230 feet, 2 inches. That is an NCAA meet record, eclipsing the mark of 222-7 set by Ashland University thrower Kibwe Johnson on May 24, 2007.

The Founders School of Continuing Education at Ashland University has announced the selection of Dr. Marilyn Troyer as the executive director of professional development services. Troyer, who lives in Plain City, will replace the retiring Tom Lavinder effective July 1.

Ashland University’s NCAA Division II women’s soccer program has a winning tradition with eight straight years of NCAA tournament appearances from 1997 to 2004 and a final four appearance in 1998.

Dr. Thomas Dence, professor of mathematics at Ashland University, was honored last week as the University’s first recipient of the Ashland University Excellence in Scholarship Award.

Dence received a medallion and a check for $5,000 at the Faculty Scholarship Luncheon on campus. The Ashland University Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes Ashland University faculty who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship.