EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was submitted by the Ashland City Schools Foundation.
ASHLAND – Soon after her passing in September, the Ashland City Schools Foundation (ACSF) was in the works to honor the life and seemingly endless contributions of Dr. Lucille Garber Ford.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, much of that planning came to fruition inside Ashland High School.
During a dedication featuring members of the ACSF board, Ashland City Schools and other individuals from the Ashland community, the Dr. Lucille Garber Ford Hallway was officially unveiled.
Photo courtesy of Ashland City Schools
Dr. Ford is the focal point of a new Distinguished Alumni wall, where past honorees of the ACSF’s Distinguished Alumnus Award are featured.
Her name sits above a large video board just outside the AHS library that continuously runs the information of honorees from the past 11 biennial induction ceremonies.
To the left of the board is a plaque featuring Dr. Ford, while to the right are smaller plaques highlighting the most recent inductees from 2023.
Ashland City Schools Supt. Steve Paramore, who helped spearhead the hallway project, spoke during Thursday’s dedication about the impact Dr. Ford has had on the schools and the Ashland community in general.
She was a 1940 graduate of AHS and one of the eight members of the inaugural ACSF Distinguished Alumni Class of 2003.
Dr. Ford lived most of her life in Ashland and forever will be remembered as one of the most impactful people in area history, even becoming the first woman to run for lieutenant governor of Ohio. She reached countless people while building a legacy of education, activism and service.
Dr. Ford held an Associate Degree of Arts from Stephens College, a B.S. in Commerce and MBA from Northwestern, a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, a Masters in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary and an honorary doctorate from Ashland University.
Her 30-year career at Ashland University included time spent as a professor and Chair of the Economics Department, Dean of Special Programs, Dean of the School of Business, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost.
In 1995, Dr. Ford became the founding president (pro bono) of the Ashland County Community Foundation (ACCF), an organization she led for 17 years.
She was a member of the boards of both the ACSF and ACCF, and while guiding a variety of fundraising campaigns, helped infuse millions of dollars into Ashland City Schools and many other parts of Ashland County.
On Thursday, members of the ACSF board – including Greg Gorrell, Connie Marble and Dr. Ford’s daughter, Rev. Dr. Jody Ford Watson – each spoke of Ford’s effect on them individually and her influence on the entire Ashland area.
The wall at AHS that now bears Dr. Ford’s name will, through the years, continue to highlight Distinguished Alumnus Award winners.
Plaques of Dr. Ford and the most recent inductees will be displayed there, while those who have been honored in earlier years will be displayed at the Ashland City Schools administrative offices.
The ACSF is accepting nominations through March 31 for inductees into its 12th class of AHS Distinguished Alumni. The form to nominate a candidate can be found at ashlandforgood.org/ahs-distinguished-alum/.
Questions about the form or nomination process can be directed by email to the ACSF at ashlandcsf@gmail.com. Individuals selected will be celebrated during a banquet in late September.
The Ashland City Schools Foundation is an affiliate of the Ashland County Community Foundation. Its goal is to generate and endow funds to promote excellence in academics, the arts and athletics, and to provide educational opportunities for all students and educators in the Ashland City School District.
For more information about the ACSF or to make a contribution in support of its efforts, please visit ashlandforgood.org/acsf.