The Ashland University Center for Nonviolence (ACN) is very active on campus, having hosted events such as monthly book clubs, a speaker for environmental activism and an open mic night featuring songs and poems for peace last semester.
However, a less known fact is that the organization also hosts a group of Peace Scholars under the organization.
The purpose of the program “is to enrich a student’s knowledge of nonviolence, skills for leadership and opportunities for peace-related experiences. It empowers self-motivated learners to pursue their interests, develop their understanding and skills and translate their passions into meaningful action,” according to the Center for Nonviolence’s website.
“It was initially sort of a faculty member that wanted to protest the Iraq War, and so they started sort of gathering out on the street corner to protest that, and then, obviously, the war ended up happening anyway, and so this group kind of moved inside and said, alright, well, you know what else can we do?” Assistant Director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence Elizabeth Buttil said.
“We said, you know, how can we include the student on campus, and so we have this creation of the Peace Scholar program that allows us to include students on campus, sort of in the mission of the organization,” she continued, explaining how the Peace Scholars in particular came about as a way for students to get involved in the Center for Nonviolence.
There are currently 12 Ashland students enrolled in the Peace Scholars program, which offers a $1,000 merit-based scholarship and requires a minor in either ethics or conflict resolution, according to the program’s website.
Peace Scholar Reid Opel found what drew him to the program was the impact the organization had that would help him make an impact as well.
“My goal as a Peace Scholar is to foster change within my community by approaching conflict and social issues through a lens of nonviolence, empathy, and understanding,” Opel said.
Fellow Peace Scholar Gabriel Perez Polanco also shared his thoughts on the organization: “There are so many issues around the world right now, a world full of violence and violence seems to be the most priority for people in order to solve their conflicts,” Polanco said.
He wants to be a part of the solution: “I think this world needs people well equipped with the skills and abilities to intervene when it’s appropriate in order to prevent something from becoming a major issue,” Polanco said.
Members of the Peace Scholars are also able to have some control over the programming of the Center for Nonviolence.
“We’ve had Peace Scholars that have started book clubs. We’ve had Peace Scholars who have wanted to hold vigils each semester. And so, they’ve, you know, set up the time to do that on campus,” said Elizabeth Buttil, highlighting the impact Peace Scholars can have through their roles in the organization.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year aren’t being accepted anymore; however, applications for the next academic year will open in the Spring.
For more information on the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Scholars, along with their upcoming events, visit the Center for Nonviolence’s website here.
