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AU alumna a national winner of Shine a Light on Anti-Semitism Civic Courage Award
ASHLAND, Ohio – A Holocaust class that Heidi (Bench ’02) Meyer took at Ashland University 25 years ago put her on the path to an impressive honor. It was recently revealed that Meyer, a teacher at Elmwood High School in northwest Ohio since 2008, was one of two high school educators from across the country selected for a 2024 Shine A Light on Anti-Semitism Civic Courage Award by the Jewish Education Project. There were 19 total winners in various categories,…
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…
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…
AU grad and her mother open vintage clothes store
When Amelia Woodyard was at Ashland University, she discovered the perfect way to earn some extra spending money. “I started reselling clothes in college and was pretty successful with it,” said Woodyard, a 2020 AU graduate. Catching on to a growing trend, she started buying vintage clothes at thrift stores to resell. Because it really took off, her mother, Angie Woodyard, started to help her thrift and fell in love with the hunt, too, Amelia said. The…
Ashland University grad named provost at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Catherine Ann (Marshall, ’94) Rudowsky’s career journey in higher education “had a wonderful start at AU.” “I think the single greatest thing I learned is critical thinking,” said the 1994 Ashland University graduate who was recently named the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. “I also gained confidence while at AU. Like most college students, those years are an opportunity to grow and identify with…
Pair of AU graduates love coaching Club STUNT together at the Kroc Center
Ashland University graduates Shila (Hartzler, ’23) Shreve and Joy (Boone, ’19) Downing appear to be a perfect pairing as co-coaches for the Ashland Salvation Army Kroc Center’s new Club STUNT program for girls. “We couldn’t have found better coaches,” said Dan Lawson, the Kroc Center’s director of community relations and development. “They really put their heart into getting our team ready for competition. “They inspire, motivate and encourage the girls on…
Alumni restore tombstones of founding fathers of their fraternity, Phi Delta Theta
Usually once a month for the past five years, brothers of the Ashland/Mansfield Phi Delta Theta Alumni Chapter meet for lunch. About a dozen or so, give or take a few, attend each time, bouncing from the Ashland and Mansfield areas. They also like to meet in graveyards. You read that correctly. It’s not all fun and games with this group of retired Phi Delta Theta brothers, which includes several Ashland University graduates. AU has had a Phi Delta Theta…
Woman with two AU master's degrees finalist for Woman of the Year award
When it comes to the education she has received in her life, Beth DiDonato said she feels extremely fortunate. “I believe it more than prepared me for what I have accomplished,” said DiDonato, whose education includes two master’s degrees from Ashland University. DiDonato’s most recent accomplishment was being selected as a finalist for the 2024 Lucille Nussdorfer Tuscarawas County Woman of the Year award, presented annually by the Dennison Railroad Depot…
Alumna honored with a young professional award in Wayne County, Ohio
Seeing TV character Trent Crimm wearing an Ashland University shirt on an episode of “Ted Lasso” got Ashley (Brillhart '07) Hershberger thinking about her time at AU. “It resonated so much with me because my favorite quote from the show is, ‘Be curious, not judgmental,’ reflecting the lessons I learned at Ashland University,” Hershberger said. “AU played a pivotal role in my leadership journey. It not only helped me embrace what makes me unique, but it…
AU master's degree not only helps graduate with teaching career, but also as council member and now as mayor
Mason Boldizar earned his master’s degree in administration in 2007 from Ashland University to help his teaching career, but it has benefited him in many other ways, too. It also has served him well as a Minerva council member since 2018 and he expects that to continue as the village’s mayor, which the council named him recently following the September death of Mayor Tim Tarbet. “Learning how to deal with people in respectful ways is always something that we…
