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 occupancy.
Dwight ’64 and Martha Schar have committed $15 million for the renovations in addition to their $10 million gift for the recently completed campus beautification and signage project. Their latest gift is the single largest in AU history.
“Dwight and Martha Schar have beautified our campus and transformed student life through their commitment to excellence,” President Jon Parrish Peede states. “Their generosity will allow us to offer a refined residential experience at an affordable price. These renovated dorms will enrich our campus community for generations.”
“Ashland provided me with an outstanding education and experience that shaped me as an adult,” Dwight Schar said. “I want the current and future students to have the same opportunity and the living environment that reflects the exceptional quality of the Ashland faculty, staff, coaches and academic facilities.”
Dwight Schar has centered his philanthropic giving on higher education and healthcare in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. Having been raised in Ohio, Schar has supported his alma mater for decades. “At a time when other universities are trimming budgets, Ashland is investing in its future. Martha and I have donated $55 million to AU so far because we believe strongly in this university.”
Amstutz Hall
The nine-story Amstutz Hall, which was damaged in an electrical fire in November 2025, will be transformed into modern student housing for seniors and other students who prefer single rooms. In addition to air conditioning, the most popular feature will be the six pod-style bathrooms on each floor. The single-occupant bathrooms have a tiled shower, sink and toilet. Each floor will have two accessible bathrooms. The penthouse level will have two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes and remarkable views of the campus and city.
To add to the beautification and bring in more natural light, Amstutz Hall will feature a two-story glass entrance, a nine-story glass façade running vertically for the full height of building and glass-walled common spaces and study rooms on every floor. The hallways will have premium upgrades including wainscoting, sconces and new carpeting.
Jacobs Hall
Located on the campus quad, Jacobs Hall also will have air conditioning, pod-style bathrooms and extensive lobby and room updates. It is one of the most popular dorms because of the large size of its doubles.
Andrews Hall
Andrews Hall houses Ashbrook Scholars, members of an honors program in history and political science, on the second and third floors. The unoccupied first floor is being converted into 12 air-conditioned dorm rooms with pod-style bathrooms, a kitchenette, film lounge and study spaces. Jack and Deb Miller, Bob and Jan Archer and the Schars are the lead funders of the Andrews Hall construction. AU is working to secure additional donor support to complete the new lobby and multi-purpose space.
Phase II Dormitory Plans
As part of its new strategic plan, Ashland University is creating a campus housing plan that includes a second phase of its dormitory renovations with a focus on Clark Hall, Myers Hall and Kem Hall.
“Our university is blessed with donors at all giving levels,” President Peede stated. “Student housing and scholarships offer our alumni and other donors a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on their beloved university. We believe that the current renovations will inspire others to rally around our Phase II plans.”
About Ashland University
Ashland University is a mid-size, private university conveniently located halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, AU puts the “Accent on the Individual” by combining strong applied academic programs with a distinguished faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) consists of four degree-granting colleges – the College of Arts & Sciences, the Dauch College of Business & Economics, the Dwight Schar College of Education, the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences – and the Ashland Theological Seminary. The Schar College of Education was recently named among the Best Graduate Education Schools in the nation, and the Dauch College of Business & Economics has been named a College of Distinction for preparing students for the global economy.