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AU one of 75 in America’s Best Value Small Colleges and Universities by SmartAsset

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University has been recognized again as one of the top values in higher education, ranking No. 58 overall in SmartAsset’s top-75 list of America’s Best Value Small Colleges and Universities. The data-driven ranking was released earlier this week. Using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, SmartAsset evaluated more than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities with undergraduate enrollments of fewer than 5,000…

Student presenting at 2026 URCA Symposium

2026 URCA Symposium featured new academic participation, new award

ASHLAND, Ohio – While the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Symposium at Ashland University’s John C. Myers Convocation Center on April 22 may have looked familiar to those who have attended some of the previous 16 editions, upon closer inspection there were a couple of new features this year that added a nice twist to the annual event that is equally enlightening and entertaining. Since 2009, the URCA Symposium has provided an opportunity…

head shot of Mary Anne Carter

Chairman of National Endowment for the Arts to deliver AU commencement address May 9

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Honorable Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will serve as the commencement speaker for Ashland University on Saturday, May 9. The ceremony, honoring both undergraduate and graduate students, will take place at the Niss Athletic Center (905 Moss Hill Drive) beginning at 10 a.m. Carter, who will also be presented with an honorary degree (Doctor of Laws) as voted on by the AU Board of Trustees, is…

Group photo of Seven Seals Award presentation

AU honored with Seven Seals Award for its support of National Guard and Reserve

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University was recently honored with the Seven Seals Award, an organization-wide recognition for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve, as presented by representatives of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program. Among the representatives in attendance for the ceremony at AU’s Jack W. Liebert Military and…

Leap Vathanak and Luke Bowen pose next to zebrafish

AU students excitedly prepare for upcoming URCA Symposium

By Lauren Gulden, a senior journalism digital media major and creative writing minor The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium, better known as URCA, at Ashland University is quickly approaching. Each year, about 100 students from within the College of Arts and Sciences present a variety of original research projects in front of an audience. This year, for the first time, students from the Dauch College of Business and Economics, the…

Kayin McDonald displays a sample of shoes given to veterans through the In a Soldier's Shoes Foundation

Student-alumni nonprofit, In a Soldier’s Shoes, is impacting veterans locally, expanding nationally

Kayin McDonald is a modern Renaissance man. The ambitious Ashland University senior will graduate this May with seven majors (yes, seven: economics, history, international relations, philosophy, political economy, political science and religion). He is an Ashbrook Scholar, a Peace Scholar with the Ashland Center for Nonviolence and an Emerson/McKnight Scholar. He is a drummer for the AU Jazz Orchestra, and previously was a writing coach for the Writing &…

head shot of David Mason, Ph.D.

Renowned poet David Mason to visit AU for special reading on April 10

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University will welcome award-winning poet David Mason, Ph.D., for a special reading on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m., in the Student Center Auditorium of the Hawkins-Conard Student Center. It is free and open to the community. Mason will also be on campus Saturday, April 11, for a meet-and-greet with students in Bixler Hall’s Humanities Collaboration Space (room 104) from 9-11 a.m.

logo of Ohio Academy of Science

AU to host 64th annual Regional Science Day on March 21

ASHLAND, Ohio – More than 160 students from 16 area schools are expected to converge on the Ashland University campus Saturday, March 21, for the 64th annual Mohican District’s Regional Science Day. Sponsored by the Mohican District Junior Division of the Ohio Academy of Science, the event will be held at AU’s John C. Myers Convocation Center. According to Jeff Weidenhamer, Ph.D., Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at AU and Science Day director,…

Dwight and Martha Schar

Ashland University announces $15 million donation from Dwight and Martha Schar for state-of-the-art dorm renovations

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University is undertaking the largest dormitory renovation project in its history. Thanks to the generosity of its largest donors, Amstutz Hall, Jacobs Hall, and the first floor of Andrews Hall will be completely renovated. The three residence halls will include air conditioning, pod-style bathrooms and extensive lobby and room updates featuring new flooring, LED lighting and furniture. The construction will be completed for Fall 2026…

graphic promoting "Harnessing the Power of Youth"

“Harnessing the Power of Youth” event to wrap up 2025-26 Symposium Against Indifference

ASHLAND, Ohio – This year’s Symposium Against Indifference series at Ashland University will conclude with “Harnessing the Power of Youth: The Role of Young Adult Literature in Combatting Indifference” on Wednesday, March 18. The event, taking place on the fifth floor of Archer Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m., features an interdisciplinary group of experts who will analyze the power of literature in developing resistance to complacency in young adults. It is free…

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