The largest residence hall renovation in the history of Ashland University is underway, fueled by a major gift from Dwight and Martha Schar. The contribution is transforming campus and creating a sense of nostalgia.
They have contributed in the past to the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex, Dwight Schar College of Education, Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences and now the new renovation project.
Amstutz Hall, Jacobs Hall and Andrews Hall will be renovated within the next few months. Additionally, there will be more renovations to come throughout the upcoming academic year using the $15 million donation the Schars contributed.
Vice President of Operations and Planning Patrick Ewing said this donation helps the university fulfill its vision of a campus master plan that looks 10 to 15 years into the future of what they want the campus to look like.
“Part of that plan is also looking at our campus housing,” Ewing said.
He finds that most of the dorms were built in the 1960s and have become dated in many respects. As student needs and expectations change over time, Ewing said using these funds to keep the halls current will not only retain students but also attract them.
“The conversation is centered around things like privacy, certainly updated finishes and appeal,” Ewing explained. “Air conditioning is a big one and so looking at how we can make that happen in all of our residence halls is what we’re trying to do.”
Formerly, Amstutz and Jacobs Hall did not have air conditioning, but with the donation, both will now have amenities that attract students.
The plan was in the works for a while, Ewing explained, but the process was sped up due to the Amstutz Hall fire.
“Literally lit a fire under that plan a little bit and gave us reason to kind of force our hand and move forward in it,” Ewing said.
He added that the Schar family has been tremendous supporters of the university for decades. “In recent conversations between him and the president, this came up, and ultimately, the Schars ended up contributing a significant amount of money to help us realize at least part of those visions.”
Despite President Jon Parrish Peede being in his position for not even a year, he was able to further a relationship with the Schars, alongside Bob and Jan Archer, to secure the generous donation and many more.
“So those four individuals, their love of the institution — and so I think one of my responsibilities as the president is to lay out a vision, to ask them what areas of the university are important to them,” Peede said.
These funds also send a message of enthusiasm to people outside of the university to further contribute.
“And I think that others say, ‘Oh, well, maybe I can’t give that transformative gift, but now these students are going to be on campus; I can create a scholarship for the history department or art department,’” Peede said.
He added that even donating books to the library can make a difference; every gift matters. At the end of the day, the most important thing is student satisfaction.
“Students are understanding, I think that students also understand our desire to make these improvements, and so we’re very happy that we’re able to fulfill those wishes well,” Ewing said.
“It’s not enough just to get you to come here, but for you to feel valued here. And, you know, the place that is your place of refuge, right?” Peede added.
“You know, it’s a peculiar thing in life that sometimes our truest self comes through in moments of tragedy,” Peede said.
Peede feels gratitude towards students and parents who had to move out of Amstutz Hall and to the faculty who came together to help.
“And it was a reminder that when we say we’re a community here, it’s real, and every once in a while, it’s nice to remind ourselves of that,” Peede said.
“We’re blessed with the Schar and Archer families that they repeatedly come back to what is best for the students,” Peede said.
