[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ASHLAND UNIVERSITY ON THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS 
                                CHARTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to stand before 
my colleagues in the House to pay tribute to an outstanding institution 
of higher education. Ashland University is marking a ``Year of 
Celebration'' on the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of the school's 
chartering in Ashland, Ohio.
  Ashland, Ohio's original settlers trace their roots back to a small 
group of ``brothers'' who emigrated in 1708 from Schwarzenau, Germany 
in search of religious and intellectual freedom.
  Like Ashland's first citizens, the history of this vibrant 
institution reads as a truly American story. It all began in the summer 
of 1877 at a town meeting. The German Baptist Brethren Church proposed 
the establishment of an institution of higher education if the 
community could raise ten thousand dollars. The resulting fundraising 
campaign proved successful, and on February 20, 1878, Ashland College 
was chartered.
  Classes started on September 17, 1879 with eight faculty members and 
between fifty-five and seventy-five students. From this modest 
beginning, Ashland's enrollment has grown to five thousand six hundred 
graduate and undergraduate students.
  Ashland College became Ashland University in 1989. The University is 
and remains a liberal arts institution in the finest tradition of 
higher education. As such, it is a teaching university, empowering its 
students not only with current knowledge but also with the power of 
deliberate reasoning to face the challenges and new horizons known only 
to the future.
  I would note that the University's Ashbrook Center for Public Policy 
is a nationally recognized academic forum for the study, research and 
discussion of the principles and practices of American constitutional 
government and politics. The Ashbrook Center's programs are directed to 
the scholarly defense of individual liberty, limited constitutional 
government and civic morality, which together constitute our democratic 
way of life.
  Mr. Speaker, truly great institutions of higher education not only 
educate their students, but also inspire them toward a lifetime of 
service as well. Indeed, Ashland University's 125 years of teaching 
provides our state with a rich legacy of intellectual, spiritual, 
social, cultural and physical development.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ashland University's 
``Year of Celebration,'' and to extend to the entire Ashland University 
family our very best wishes.

                          ____________________