LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University hosted a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony on March 20.
Immigrants from across the world took the Oath of Allegiance in Haggin Auditorium, completing their path to American citizenship. The ceremony, which was open to the public, drew a large crowd of both participants and supporters, as it did when when Transylvania hosted the event last year and in 1998.
Karen Caldwell, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, presided. Caldwell is a Transylvania graduate and member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
The speakers included Transylvania senior Allen Prado, who is a naturalized citizen from Cuba, and President Seamus Carey. Also, junior Vivian Tsai of Taiwan led the Pledge of Allegiance; and Grace Notes, a university a cappella group, sung the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”
Kerry Harvey, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Larry Kammerer, field office director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, offered introductions. Then Nathan W. Lee—a Transylvania alum and chief deputy clerk for the U.S. District Court—administered the Oath of Allegiance.