18-02-2025
Ford Hallway is home to wall showing new Distringuished Alumnus Award winners
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 unveiled.
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 Ford, while to the right are smaller plaques highlighting the most recent inductees from 2023.
Superintendent Steve Paramore, who helped to spearhead the hallway project, spoke during Thursday's dedication about the impact Ford 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.
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.
Her 30-year career at Ashland University included time spent as a professor and chair of the Economics Department, dean of Special Programs,dDean of the School of Business, vice Ppresident of Academic Affairs and provost.
In 1995, 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 the ACSF and ACCF, and while guiding a variety of fundraising campaigns, helped to 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 Ford's daughter, the 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 bears Ford's name will, through the years, continue to highlight Distinguished Alumnus Award winners. Plaques of 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
Questions about the form or nomination process can be directed by email to the ACSF at ashlandcsf@ Individuals selected will be celebrated during a banquet in late September.
For more information about the ACSF or to make a contribution in support of its efforts, visit
This story was submitted by the Ashland City Schools Foundation.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland High hallway named for Lucille Ford, will showcase alumnus
