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Kyle Hauenstein named director of marketing and communications at AU
ASHLAND, Ohio – Kyle Hauenstein, a marketing leader at The Sherwin-Williams Company, has been selected as the new director of marketing and communications at Ashland University. He will officially begin his duties Jan. 3, 2025. “Kyle brings an abundant expertise in multi-platform marketing and branding to our nationally distinctive university,” said President Jon Parrish Peede. “We wanted a team leader who is cerebral, collaborative and committed to our…
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…
Deer exclosures at Ashland University preserves a collaborative project
As Stephanie Pflaum returned from scouting out the next spot for a deer exclosure at one of Ashland University’s nature preserves, she asked if anyone saw a lady bug in her hair. She wasn’t panicked about it like most people would be with bugs; she just wanted to find it. “It flew in, but I don’t know where it went; do you happen to see it anywhere?” the senior student asked the rest of the group from AU putting up deer exclosures in the university’s…
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…
Working on cars, cycles among senior music major's varied AU experience
If going to college means experiencing as many things as possible, then Ashland University senior Grant Vance is the poster child for that. “Grant is one of those people who is always curious and doesn’t shy away from the unknown,” Associate Professor of Art Dan McDonald said. “Grant took my sculpture class, probably because he saw it as a way to learn some practical skills, as well as all the other things that are part of a core aesthetics class, of course…
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…
Delbert excited to be part of Communication Studies' undergrad, grad programs
Jeffrey Delbert, Ph.D., is looking forward to all the opportunities available to him as a new faculty member in Ashland University’s Communication Studies Department. “I am excited about teaching at the master’s level and I’ve also proposed a new political communication class,” said the assistant professor, who previously taught communication at a smaller university in North Carolina for 12 years. Delbert joins a department at AU that has many exciting…
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…
