Twenty years ago, an unrelated X-ray revealed a cancerous mass on Chris Ash’s lung. The cancer was detected early, but it marked the first of four bouts she’d face.
These battles—and the impressive care she’s received from physicians who are members of Case Western Reserve’s Case Comprehensive Cancer Center—recently led Ash (FSM ’72, MGT ’81) and her husband to make a $1.35 million estate gift to the university.
The vast majority of their gift—$1.25 million—will establish the Christine and Timothy Ash Fund for Cancer Innovation Research to drive more targeted therapeutic treatments and earlier diagnoses, helping doctors catch cancers earlier (like they did for Ash) and, ultimately, lengthen patients’ lives.
“Cancer affects so many people. Now, there are more and more instances of younger people being diagnosed—especially young women,” said Ash, who also serves on the Cancer Center’s Community Advisory Board. “That’s concerning, and we want to be able to help change that.”
The tenacity with which Ash faced each recurrence is the same spirit that guided her throughout her career—and even brought her to Case Western Reserve. As a high school student, Ash submitted her application to Western Reserve University. Western Reserve and Case Institute of Technology had recently federated, however, so her application to the predecessor institution nearly got dismissed. Committed to enrolling, she made some calls—and eventually got accepted.
Ash graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and took what she expected to be a short-term position as an administrative assistant in the geology department. She went on to earn her MBA at the university, then became budget manager and, later, associate dean of financial planning for the engineering school. Eventually, Ash became vice president for university planning and institutional research before ultimately retiring in 2015.
Through their gift, the Ashes aim to reflect her tenure at Case Western Reserve, starting at the beginning: An additional $100,000 commitment will help renovate the historic Mather Memorial Building, which previously housed the commuter lounge where she spent hours between classes.
“I spent my life at Case Western Reserve,” Ash said, “and I’m honored to be able to give back to a place that did so much for me.”
Originally published in the winter 2024 issue of Forward Thinking magazine