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Ruth Ashelford Pollock Ballroom
Grover and Effie Johnson Ashelford Hall
Over 150 years ago, a young man immigrated to Canada from a farming community in Somerset, England, with only the coat on his back. Abram Ashelford, unable to read and write, traveled the land, working. He found his way to northern Illinois and bought some land. There, he prospered with his wife, Anna, and five children. He instilled in his family a love of land and learning. One of those children, Grover, later married Effie Johnson and the couple had one child, Ruth Ashelford.
Major Ruth Ashelford Pollock represents the third generation native to Clare, Illinois. Growing up in Clare during the Great Depression, Ruth learned the value of a dollar and a good education. She pursued her dream of becoming a nurse and graduated from the Sisters of Misericordia in Oak Brook in 1939. Like many young people of her time, Ruth enlisted in the armed forces in 1944, where she served as an army nurse for 20 years. Major Pollock had an exciting career as a military nurse and had duty assignments around the world.
Upon her retirement in 1964, Ruth married Dr. Frederick Pollock, who was a former commanding officer of a hospital unit and chief of staff at Tomah Veteran’s Hospital in Wisconsin. When Dr. Pollock passed away in 1969, Ruth moved back to her family’s farm near Sycamore. It was then that she found herself wanting to do something in memory of her Ashelford heritage, of which she is very proud. It was in Kishwaukee College, a small school with agriculture programs, that Ruth saw her opportunity to do so. Having had an appreciation for the outdoors, instilled in her by her grandfather and father, she assisted the horticulture department with financial donations, including the stone and wrought iron gates leading up to the college’s entrance. Ruth also began awarding scholarships in 2002 to two outstanding nursing graduates, selected for their academics and professional excellence, not financial need.
Ruth is very proud of her Ashelford name and her heritage of three generations of success in agriculture and financial management. Of her heritage, Ruth says:
“My heritage has taught me that it’s not about what you have but what you do with what you have.” She exhibits the values her family held dear in her life, her commitment, and her generosity.
What was your motivation for naming these spaces in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center?
“To encourage anthropology. To improve the social behavior in today’s society.”
What does it mean to you to be involved in a project of such importance for the university?
“Civic Duty”
What is your personal philanthropic philosophy?
“Respect and dignity for mankind”
What does NIU mean to you?
“Education for a greater tomorrow”
Is there anything that you’d like to say to those who will enjoy the center?
“Don’t throw away tomorrow. Be attracted to optimism.” |
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Barsema Alumni and
Visitors Center
231 N. Annie Glidden Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815.753.1534
815.753.0278 (fax)
Located on the campus of
Northern Illinois University |
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