September 2012

Troy Heffron named Transylvania’s AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer

Posted on September 28, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Troy Heffron joins the Transylvania University staff as the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in the office of community service and civic engagement. Heffron will coordinate the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service with community projects involving students from Transylvania, Bluegrass Community and Technical College and the University of Kentucky. Heffron will develop programs to increase the number of tutors on the Transylvania Tutoring Team and support the development of the Fayette County Public Schools Volunteer System. He will also plan Transylvania’s September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and National Volunteer Week events. Heffron graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s of science in business administration. He was the alternative break chairperson and summer staff member for the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center where he provided assistance to the advisory board of 18 student leaders, implemented program policies and managed weekly meetings. He also planned volunteer events to promote active citizenship and service learning. In the summer of 2011 he was the marketing, communications and development intern for the Nashville Sports Council, responsible for updating social media sites and writing web content and newsletters.

Transylvania University to participate in international PARK(ing) Day Friday, September 21

Posted on September 17, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania’s Haupt Circle parking lot spaces will be transformed into miniature parks on Friday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in support of international PARK(ing) Day. The movement, which began in 2005, challenges people to re-think our use of urban spaces and to question the use of public urban lots and empower citizens to redefine public space to suit community needs. Students, faculty and staff have been invited to get a group together and reserve a parking space to convert to a park. The event is organized by Transylvania’s office of sustainability and Louis Johnson of Urban Collage, coordinator of Lexington’s PARK(ing) Day events. Sustainability is one of the five core values that Transylvania incorporates into all aspects of campus life. Watch a video of Transylvania’s PARK(ing) Day. Lexington Herald-Leader photo gallery.

Transylvania University names director and assistant director of student involvement and leadership

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

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has named Amy Jo Gabel director of student involvement and leadership and Aaron Roberts assistant director. Gabel has been at Transylvania since 2009 as advisor in Greek affairs and assistant director of residence life and student activities. In her new role, Gabel will advise and support over 70 campus groups and clubs and coordinate programs to give students practical leadership experience. “I am most excited about offering meaningful opportunities for our students to develop the skills necessary to better themselves and their communities,” Gabel said. Gabel has a master’s in education and a bachelor of science in middle grade education from Eastern Kentucky University. In her prior positions, Gabel provided leadership and support to campus groups such as the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and Order of Omega. She also led the training for Transylvania’s resident advisors and oversaw all residence hall programs and staff. As assistant director, Roberts will create a holistic campus leadership curriculum for students to supplement their liberal arts education. The curriculum includes identity development and skills identification through experiential leadership opportunities with faculty and campus groups. “I am humbled to join the seasoned, diverse and visionary student life staff,” Roberts said. “I am most looking forward to working with students directly and helping them acquire the skills necessary to obtain an education, graduate and hold the keys necessary to being responsible-minded individuals in their families and communities.” This May, Roberts completed a

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Internationally acclaimed Celtic Fiddler Liz Knowles comes to Transylvania, Thursday, Sept. 20

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

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Lexington’s own Liz Knowles, Celtic fiddler, will play at Transylvania University on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $10 and are available weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in MFA 113 (cash only) and can also be purchased at the door. Knowles rose to popularity when she was fiddler for Riverdance and soloist on the soundtrack for the film Michael Collins. She is a respected musician, composer and teacher who has traveled the world, performing with renowned orchestras such as the Celtic Legends, New York Pops and Cincinnati Pops. In New York City she has performed at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway with fellow artists Marcus Roberts, the Bang-on-a-Can Orchestra, and Bobby McFerrin. She has also appeared in the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Her latest work, “Making Time,” explores “both familiar and obscure” Irish music from Irish, Scottish, and Medieval collections while combining Knowles’ unique harmonies (lizknowles.com). Knowles has also established herself as an admired teacher of Irish music. She has taught at the Swannanoa Gathering for their Celtic and Fiddle weeks, the Catskills Irish Art Week, and at many Irish piping festivals with her husband. The event is sponsored by the Transylvania music department.

Transylvania University moves up six places in U.S. News & World Report rankings, makes Great Schools at Great Prices list

Posted on September 12, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University moved up six places—from 81 to 75—in the 2013 U.S. News & World Report college rankings released today while also being named to the publication’s Great Schools at Great Prices list. It is Transylvania’s highest ever ranking since becoming a part of the national liberal arts colleges category. In its Best Colleges 2013 guidebook, U.S. News ranks 251 national liberal arts colleges and universities in statistical measures such as student graduation and retention rates, financial resources, commitment to instruction, class size, faculty pay, student selectivity and alumni giving, as well as a subjective measure of academic reputation. The Great Schools at Great Prices list recognizes colleges and universities for the value of the educational experience they provide in relation to the cost of obtaining a degree. Transylvania’s tuition and fees fall below the national average for comparable private liberal arts colleges. “This latest national recognition of the high quality liberal arts studies that Transylvania offers its students is very gratifying to our entire campus community,” said President R. Owen Williams. “Everyone who is a part of this historic university is committed to excellence, and our students reap the benefits of that devotion. This ranking is a testament to the hard work of students, faculty, and staff members.” Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions, said inclusion in the Great Schools at Great Prices list confirms the university’s philosophy of making private higher education affordable

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