May 2007

Five consecutive generations of one family have earned Transylvania degrees

Posted on May 26, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

When psychology major Caitlin McGuire walked across the stage in front of Old Morrison on Saturday, she was the ninth member of her family to graduate from Transylvania University. Five consecutive generations of her family, touching three different centuries, have included a Transy graduate. Caitlin’s great great grandfather William Smallwood Gamboe began the tradition when he graduated in 1896 from Kentucky University, the name Transylvania used from 1865-1908 before reclaiming its historic name. William and his wife Tacie Pharis Gamboe had a son, Homer Pharis Gamboe, who was born while the family was living in a boarding house on Upper Street across from the Transy campus. This structure is now the Row House, restored in 1996 as part of the John R. Hall Athletic Field. Homer also attended Transy and after graduating in 1918, he went on, like his father, to graduate from the College of the Bible, then located on Transy’s campus. Homer and his wife had two daughters, Alice who graduated from Transylvania in 1946, and Rachael Gamboe McGuire. Rachael and her sister grew up in India, where their father was a missionary. After attending Woodstock, an American boarding school in the Himalayas, they came back to the United States to attend college. For Rachael, attending Transylvania was a dream come true, as she had heard tales of it her whole life. While there, she met Franklin McGuire. The two became sweethearts and were married in 1947. In

Read “Five consecutive generations of one family have earned Transylvania degrees”

Transylvania awards 238 bachelor of arts degrees to the class of 2007 on the steps of historic Old Morrison Saturday, May 26

Posted on May 26, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University awarded 238 bachelor of arts degrees on the steps of historic Old Morrison Saturday morning. Family and friends watched from the bright spring lawn as President Charles L. Shearer presented the degrees to the class that included a Fulbright Scholar, political science major Brian Epling, who has been awarded a prestigious English Teaching Assistantship in Korea. Co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana Inc, David A. Jones, delivered the Commencement address and spoke about the characteristics necessary for success. “Integrity, teamwork, clarity of purpose, high expectations and clear communication are the vital traits that will lead to high achievement,” he said. He told the graduates that life holds many joys for those who seek them. “Through friendship, shared effort, helping others, through unselfish love—all these paths lead to great joy, and it is my wish that each of you will follow these paths on your journey.” The well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic leader told the graduates, “You’re going to expand and put to exciting uses the base of knowledge and understanding developed here. You will undertake the necessary and often difficult tasks required of you and earn the joy of accomplishment.” He urged the graduating class to consider, “Who are you and where are you going?” a question this class has already considered. Sixty-five percent of this graduating class studied abroad while at Transy, including Mark A. Rouse, a history major from Lexington, who spoke during commencement on

Read “Transylvania awards 238 bachelor of arts degrees to the class of 2007 on the steps of historic Old Morrison Saturday, May 26”

David Jones, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana, to give Transylvania’s commencement address Saturday, May 26

Posted on May 24, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—David A. Jones, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana Inc. and one of Kentucky’s best known entrepreneurs, philanthropists and civic leaders will deliver the commencement address at Transylvania University Saturday, May 26, at 10 a.m. Jones, a Transylvania trustee, will deliver his speech on the steps of historic Old Morrison to 237 graduating seniors and their families, faculty members and friends. In addition to his achievements in business, Jones is one of Louisville’s most active civic leaders. With backing from the Human Foundation, the human Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theater of Louisville had become a premiere national event for showcasing new theatrical talent. Jones has been a board member of the Greater Louisville Fund for the Arts and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. In 2004, he was presented the Milner Award, the most prestigious of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, for his personal commitment to the arts and their role in the economy, community and culture of Kentucky. He recently made a major commitment of time and recourses to the City of Parks, a long-term project to expand and connect Louisville’s extensive park system. At Transylvania Jones is a founding member of the Bingham Board of Trust, which oversees the Bingham Awards fro Excellence in Teaching program. Along with his wife, Betty, he helped to endow the David and Betty Jones Fund for Faculty Development in 1990. He and his family have supported virtually

Read “David Jones, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana, to give Transylvania’s commencement address Saturday, May 26”

The wickedly funny Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opens May 17 at Transy

Posted on May 10, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania Theater presents Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee May 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. and May 20 at 2 p.m. Albee’s masterpiece won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1962-63 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play. The production is for mature audiences. Transylvania senior drama majors Molly Eakins, Trent Fucci, Theresa Marie McKenzie and Nathan Terrell Veazey star in this powerful drama-laced comedy. Characters George and Martha are a middle-aged couple whose marriage has declined into a cynical, sarcastic battlefield. They have a younger couple, Nick and Honey, over to their home, but continue their verbal and sometimes physical assaults in front of them. Nick and Honey are eventually pulled into the fight themselves, used as pawns by George and Martha. All performances are in the Lucille C. Little Theater. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased starting Monday, May 14, from 1-4 p.m. at the Little Theater box office or by calling (859) 281-3621. For more information, call the public relations office at (859) 233-8120.