May 2012

Transylvania attracts most academically talented, diverse entering class in its history

Posted on May 14, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University President R. Owen Williams announced today that the entering class for fall 2012 has set school records for geographic and racial/ethnic diversity and academic preparedness. The entering class of 333 includes 95 students from outside Kentucky—more than double last year’s number—who make up 29 percent of the class. The 40 students who identify themselves as a racial or ethnic minority comprise 12 percent of the group, while nine are international students from China, Mexico, Taiwan and Poland. Academically, the members of the class of 2016 attained an average ACT of 27, a middle 50 percent ACT range of 25-30 and an average GPA of 3.69. In addition, the class represents 21 states and includes 34 students who took part in either the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program or the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. “The composition of this class is really something special and reflects our continuing emphasis on the quality and nature of our student body,” Williams said. “Having a good, strong number of 333 so far is good news for the university, but it’s also the type of student we are attracting that bodes well for Transylvania’s future.” Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions Brad Goan said that the overall number of 333, which is the largest in the past five years, is expected to grow over the summer with the addition of transfer students and could become the largest incoming class in

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McComas to bike across country, build affordable housing

Posted on May 10, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Kelsey McComas says she’s never been much of a biker. “But I’m learning to be,” she quickly adds. That’s a bit of an understatement. McComas, who will graduate from Transylvania University May 26, is scheduled to leave June 20 from Portsmouth, N.H., and spend the next 10 weeks biking 3,700 miles across country to Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s all for a good cause: Bike and Build, a non-profit that organizes trips in which groups of about 30 participants bike along eight cross-country routes and, along the way, build affordable housing for deserving citizens. Each rider must raise $4,500, and more than half of those funds go toward the building projects. “I’ve been active in community service since high school,” said McComas, an Ashland, Ky., native who volunteered at her community’s hospice, took a Transylvania service learning course in the Philippines and helped raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network. “I’m in a transitional stage of life right now—graduating from college and entering the real world. This is the perfect time to do something productive on my own, and I’m looking forward to seeing the immediate impact of our construction projects.” McComas started training for her ride in January, alternating between daily regimens of weight lifting and cardio. Once she raised $1,000, Bike and Build sent her a bike to use on the trip, and she started practicing on Lexington’s Legacy Trail. She says she’ll be ready when she gets to

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Transylvania celebrates National Bike Month

Posted on May 4, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University will participate in National Bike to Work Day May 18, when Transylvania community members are invited to meet at Shriner’s Hospital on Richmond Road and bike in together, or arrive on their own and join in a light breakfast in front of Old Morrison provided by Transylvania’s Wellness Works committee. The university will host two other events to celebrate National Bike Month. The Transylvania sustainability office will offer a bike safety and maintenance workshop on Monday, May 7, at 3 p.m. in the William T. Young Campus Center for faculty, staff and students. Michael Galbraith, an instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists, will give a talk about bike safety. Transylvania’s bike program managers and a bike mechanic will help participants get their bikes ready for the biking season and teach basic bike maintenance skills. The labor and instruction are free, and parts will be available for sale. A painting party and ribbon cutting for Transylvania’s first bike shelter, located behind Forrer Residence Hall, will be held Thursday, May 17, at 3 p.m. The sustainability office will provide paint and brushes to paint the shelter. Snacks, including smoothies blended by the smoothie bike, will be available, and Radio TLX, Transylvania’s student radio station, will provide music. Last year, Transylvania faculty, staff and students celebrated National Bike to Work Day by riding to campus with President R. Owen Williams from his home, about three miles away. Several

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Juried student exhibition runs May 4-18 in Transylvania’s Morlan Gallery

Posted on May 4, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Juried Student Exhibition runs May 4-18 in Transylvania’s Morlan Gallery. All students who made art during the 2011-12 academic year were invited to show their work in the exhibition. There are about 50 pieces, from 30 artists, on display. At a public reception honoring the artists on Friday, May 4, several jurors’ awards were presented, including the Dean’s Purchase Award and the Lampton Prize. Each year, William F. Pollard, vice president and dean of the college, selects one piece to receive the Dean’s Purchase Award and become part of Transylvania’s permanent collection. The Lampton Prize is named in honor of artist Nana Lampton and given to a student of exceptional creative vision, a fierce work ethic and natural leadership. Junior Hunter Kissel, from Louisville, Ky., received the Dean’s Purchase Award for his oil painting, 3. Senior Ryla Luttrell, from Shepherdsville, Ky., received the Lampton Prize. Other awards went to: Printmaking: senior Julia Sebastian, from Nicholasville, Ky. Sculpture: senior Katelynn Ralston, from Winter Haven, Fla. Ceramics: senior Lauren Hatchett, from Henderson, Ky. Video: junior Paul Brown, from Owensboro, Ky., and sophomore Zach Stanley, from Prestonsburg, Ky. Sophomore Raelyn Nickerson, from Springfield, Ohio, received honorable mention in sculpture. Senior Sara Escobedo, from Wheaton, Ill., received honorable mention for ceramic sculpture. Morlan Gallery is open weekdays, noon to 5 p.m., and the exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information go to www.transy.edu/morlan or contact Morlan Gallery Director

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