June 2012

Transylvania’s Karen Anderson recognized as a Bluegrass Community Connector; 140 connectors chosen from 5,000 nominations

Posted on June 13, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Karen Anderson, coordinator of community service and civic engagement at Transylvania University, was one of 140 Bluegrass Community Connectors honored Tuesday at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington. Last August, the Bluegrass Community Connector Project began accepting nominations of people throughout the region who are great civic connectors and make things happen in their communities. More than 5,000 nominations were received. Since 1994, Anderson has worked with the campus community to make meaningful connections with local and regional communities through short and long term community service projects, civic engagement programming and support for service-learning classes. While at Transylvania, she has participated in more than 25 service trips throughout the United States. In 2005, she co-chaired a national committee to assist Susan G. Komen for the Cure to restructure their volunteer program. She serves on the board of the League of Women Voters, Lexington and the Kentucky Campus Compact Advisory Board, and has been an officer of the Kentucky Association of Housing Officers and the Central Kentucky Association of Volunteer Administrators Anderson has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, the Lexington Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, East Seventh Street Center, Komen’s Lexington and many other organizations. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Minnesota State University and a master’s of education degree from Kent State University. Only the fifth such project in the country, the Bluegrass Community Connector

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New Governor’s School for the Arts session opens June 17 at Transylvania University; Gov. Beshear helps GSA celebrate 25th anniversary

Posted on June 8, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Kentucky’s most talented young artists from 43 counties will assemble on Transylvania University’s campus on Sunday, June 17, to begin the three-week 2012 session of the Governor’s School for the Arts. The latest GSA class is comprised of 225 rising juniors and seniors from all regions of the Commonwealth who will receive top-level training through daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips to various arts attractions in central Kentucky. The student-artists will receive rigorous instruction in nine disciplines: architecture, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual arts and vocal music. Since 1987 more than 4,500 of the state’s most talented high school artists from all 120 counties have attended the GSA summer program following a highly demanding selection process. Each year 1,500 students have applied annually for one of the available scholarships, valued at $2,800. Transylvania is among 21 colleges and universities that offer scholarships to GSA alumni. The program will culminate on Saturday, July 7, with an all-day festival that celebrates the achievements of the young artists through performances open to family, friends and the public. Graduation ceremonies will be held that day at 5 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center. “The presence of the Governor’s School for the Arts on our campus each summer is an eagerly anticipated event,” said Transylvania President R. Owen Williams. “We feel that our urban setting in Lexington, combined with our

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Transylvania University unveils presidential portrait of Charles L. Shearer

Posted on June 6, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—A portrait of Transylvania President Emeritus Charles L. Shearer was unveiled during a reception for the Board of Trustees held at the home of President and Mrs. R. Owen Williams. Board chairman William T. Young Jr. presented the portrait on behalf of the university as a way of paying tribute to Shearer’s 27-year tenure (1983-2010) as president, a period that saw significant increases in enrollment, endowment, scholarships and campus buildings. “Charles Shearer was in office longer than any other Transylvania president and guided the university to some of its greatest achievements,” Young said. “It is with great affection and admiration that we commemorate his service to Transylvania through this striking portrait.” The painting was created by Robert Kuester, an award-winning artist who lives and paints in New Mexico. Kuester holds a degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. The oil-on-canvas portrait, done in a realistic style, measures 30 by 40 inches. “Robert did a very nice job of creating a warm, not overly serious likeness, and I especially like the attention to detail with things like my hands,” Shearer said. “I’m very honored and grateful for this portrait.” Leslie Baldwin, wife of Transylvania business administration professor Bill Baldwin and a sales associate for Kentucky with the international firm Portraits, Inc., facilitated the selection of Kuester from among the 175 portrait artists represented by the organization. Transylvania art professor Nancy Wolsk was a consultant for the

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