Month: June 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Fifty-one college students, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, are in Lexington this week to attend the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship’s fourth annual Student Congress at Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, June 18-25. The rising seniors are recommended by the senior U.S. senator from their state and colleges and universities throughout the country and, while at the Student Congress, are exposed to a curriculum in diplomacy, dialogue, listening skills, negotiation and mediation. Earlier today, Transylvania president and historian R. Owen Williams shared with the Student Congress details of the close relationship statesman Henry Clay had with the 231-year-old university. The “Great Compromiser” served as a professor in Transylvania’s law school beginning in 1805 and oversaw the construction of Old Morrison (1833), which is now home to the university’s administrative offices, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is featured on the city seal of Lexington. Clay remained a trustee and friend of the university until his death in 1852. In recognition of the 200th anniversary of Clay becoming Speaker of the House, a special program will be held at Transylvania’s Haggin Auditorium on Friday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. The sold-out event, “A Tribute to Henry Clay,” will feature a moderated discussion on how Henry Clay influenced the role of the Speaker of the House by current Speaker John Boehner, former Speaker and current House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University enjoyed a close relationship during its formative years with well-known statesman Henry Clay. The “Great Compromiser” served as a professor in Transylvania’s law school for two years beginning in 1805 and was elected a trustee in 1807, a position he retained on and off for many years. In 1818, Clay was part of a committee that brought young Bostonian minister Horace Holley to Lexington to serve as president of the university. Under Holley’s leadership, Transylvania’s reputation rose in prominence and its law and medical departments rivaled those of schools in the northeast. Clay oversaw the construction of Old Morrison (1833), which is now home to the university’s administrative offices. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is featured on the city seal of Lexington. Clay remained a trustee and friend of the university until his death in 1852. As Lexington celebrates its first ever Henry Clay Week June 18-24, Transylvania will have a chance to reflect on its history with Clay as it hosts a special event that will end the week. “The Role of the Speaker of the House: A Tribute to Henry Clay,” will feature a moderated conversation with Speaker of the House John Boehner, former Speaker and current House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and former Speakers Dennis Hastert and Jim Wright on Friday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. The Speakers will discuss their respective times in the

Read “Transylvania to host tribute to Henry Clay with four Speakers of the House, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.”