UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 17, 2012

ASHLAND INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kentucky

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-32532	20-0865835
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard

P.O. Box 391

Covington, Kentucky  41012-0391

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On May 17, 2012, Brendan Cummins, former Chief Executive Officer of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, was elected to serve as Director in Class III on the Board of Directors of Ashland Inc. (“Ashland”).  Mr. Cummins will serve on the Board’s Audit Committee and Environmental, Health and Safety Committee.

Mr. Cummins was elected to the Board, by the incumbent directors in accordance with Ashland’s By-laws, to fill the vacancy resulting from the retirement of Theodore M. Solso in January 2012.

Mr. Cummins will enter into Ashland’s standard Director Indemnification Agreement.

The election of Mr. Cummins to Ashland’s Board of Directors is discussed in more detail in the news release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)	Exhibits
99.1	News Release dated May 17, 2012.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ASHLAND INC.
	(Registrant)
May 17, 2012	/s/ Lamar M. Chambers
	Lamar M. Chambers
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 News Release dated May 17, 2012.

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