Message from the President

Celebrating the Best Things Around us

Charles Dickens was looking back in time about 75 years when he wrote these immortal lines in A Tale of Two Cities:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

Today, we look back 163 years to Dickens’ day, and many of us understand why every generation is likely to find his quote relevant to their time and place.

As you review this latest version of Accent Magazine, you may be prompted to repeat the opening lines to the famous Dickens novel. The “worst of times” surely comes to mind when we think of the passing of Ashland legends like Dr. Ray Jacobs and Olympian standout/track and field coach Jud Logan. The coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath has definitely hit higher education with a serious blow, and Ashland University continues to feel its negative effects with enrollment challenges, higher inflation, the “great resignation” and other difficult aspects.

Yet, our university community once again chooses to focus on all of the “best” things to celebrate around us – and they are plentiful. Read about the remarkable story of the Stimpert family, a group that defines what is best about AU: a hardworking, supportive, always positive group that lives out the power of a transformative education. You will also be left with a smile when you consider Jen McConnell’s rollercoaster story and blessing of others. If you have not been on campus lately, the campus beautification project will absolutely be another factor to celebrate as walkways, signs and bridges all get huge upgrades that will look great and be more accessible to all. Even the grand old Clayton Hall has received a major overhaul, with air conditioning among its many renovations.

The fall begins with the hope we have known for decades at Ashland University, hope engendered by our welcome for a new class of students, our celebration of recent world championship gold medals for pole vaulter Katie Nageotte and hurdler Trevor Bassitt, our honoring the first-ever class of Physician Assistant students completing year one, three new college deans leading us forward, all on a campus sparkling with improvements to the college “on the hill so blue.” Yes, we will remember the best of times in the fall of 2022 here at Ashland University. We know that challenges will always come, yet we will overcome them as we rely on our belief that every student was created for a purpose—and that “Accent on the Individual” will carry us on well into the future.

Dr. Carlos Campo