With generous donations, Ashland University surpasses fundraising goal

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University’s comprehensive, five-year fundraising initiative, entitled The Campaign for Every Individual, has well surpassed the initial fundraising goal of $50 million, with more than $84 million given so far making it the most successful fundraising effort in the university’s 144-year history. The university has received 17,082 gifts and amassed 4,455 new donors in the process.

The Campaign for Every Individual was launched in 2017 to tell 1,000 individual and unique stories while raising $50 million in the process to help fund endowments, new programs, improve campus facilities and expand student scholarships.

In a recent report to donors, Fred Broad, campaign chair, AU alum and philanthropist, announced the campaign had secured more than $84 million in gifts, thanks to the concerted effort of the Board of Trustees, President Carlos Campo, former VP of Advancement Margaret Pomfret and many others who support the university mission and vision.

Though the campaign is already the most successful in university history, President Campo recently commented, “We’re not stopping there. In the remaining months of the campaign, we’re reaching for a stretch goal of $100 million, and we are confident that we will attain that extraordinary goal.”

Of the gifts already given, more than $11 million support academics, including funding to potentially begin a new Engineering Management program at AU. Other gifts have contributed to a number of other campus amenities and assets. The Niss Indoor Athletic Center, funded primarily by generous gifts of three lead donors, Dan and Brenda Niss, Jack and Deb Miller and Jerry Ruyan, is a first-class, 125,000-square-foot indoor athletic and activity center adjacent to the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex. “Our new indoor facility is a gem for our students, faculty and staff as well as a resource for the greater Ashland community,” said President Campo. “We are very grateful to the donors who have already stepped up to support this project, with special thanks to our lead donors, Dan and Brenda Niss, Jack and Deb Miller and Jerry Ruyan.” The new complex features an 80-yard turf field, a 300-meter six-lane track and an eight-lane sprint track, as well as field jump and throwing areas and batting cages. The size of the facility also will make it useful to AU bands and for large events.

Bob and Jan Archer, who have given over $10 million to fund student scholarships, also spearheaded improvements that added turf to the baseball field and will bring women’s softball to campus for the first time in school history. The new Archer Stadium complex is still in the works, but promises to be one of the highlights for AU athletics for years to come.

The campaign also features significant upgrades to residential campus facilities, including library renovations, Clayton Hall renovations, which will include air conditioning for all residents of that dorm, and a planned outdoor campus beautification project, which will enhance signage, parking areas, walkways and more.

Every donation and every donor are helping AU provide a high-quality and affordable education. While the university celebrates surpassing this milestone, AU also wants to build on its success. President Campo adds, “With the upcoming Day of Giving (March 23-24), and more and more alumni and others supporting our mission, the university’s future is brighter than ever. We are grateful to all our supporters and we look forward to these philanthropic efforts helping our students succeed well into the future.”