May 2016

Transylvania professor to investigate top archaeological find

Posted on May 31, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

Chris Begley, a Transylvania University anthropology professor, has been selected to serve on a team of maritime archaeologists who will explore the Fourni archipelago in Greece, where 22 shipwrecks were found in a small area last year. This was touted as one of the top archaeological finds of 2015. The findings of the joint Greek-American archaeological expedition bring to light ancient trade networks that once connected the entire Mediterranean. Fourni, which is a collection of 13 islands and islets, lies along a major east-west crossing route as well as the primary north-south route that connected the Aegean to the Levant. Last year’s initial work was the the first underwater archaeological expedition to the islands. The project’s success came through working with local sponge divers, fishermen and free divers together with technology and archaeological methods. “I am honored to be asked to be part of this important project,” Begley said. “I have worked closely with RPM Nautical Foundation and project co-director Peter Campbell in Albania, Montenegro and Croatia, and I am excited to participate in this project, which relies not only on our archaeological methods but also on the extensive knowledge of the area that local residents possess.” The shipwrecks date from the Archaic Period (700-480 BC) though the Late Medieval Period (16th century). The ships’ cargos point to the importance of long-distance trade between the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Cyprus, the Levant and Egypt. The discovery adds 12 percent to the total number of known ancient shipwrecks in Greece. And the findings suggest a great quantity of the shipwrecks await

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Transylvania hires VP for advancement

Posted on May 24, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has hired Martin W. Smith to serve as vice president for advancement. Smith comes to Transylvania from Illinois Wesleyan University, where as vice president for advancement he increased total giving by more than $10 million in the past five years. “I’m excited for this opportunity to help Transylvania prosper as one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges,” Smith said. “I’ll work hard to ensure not only that current and future Pioneers continue to receive the resources needed for the best possible education, but also that alumni maintain strong bonds with the university that made them who they are today.” Smith will begin at Transylvania on Aug. 1. At Illinois Wesleyan he led the largest campaign in the school’s history, raising $141 million for scholarships, professorships, facilities and the endowment. Smith’s duties at Transylvania will include securing major gifts, endowed support and annual giving; helping lead the university’s upcoming major capital campaign; and overseeing Transylvania’s development, alumni and parent programs. Additionally, he will foster relations with businesses and organizations and serve on the president’s cabinet, where he will contribute to decisions that affect the university as a whole. Smith’s extensive experience in higher education includes serving as vice president for university advancement at Ottawa (Kan.) University, where he also was director of major gifts, campaigns, development, athletics and public relations. Additionally, he was director of athletics for Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind. Smith earned a Bachelor

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Transylvania graduates 270 students May 28

Posted on May 23, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—On Saturday, May 28, Transylvania University sent 270 students into the world—Pioneers who are specially prepared to start their careers or continue their studies at graduate and professional schools. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray gave the commencement address to the students. Gray’s late mother, Lois Howard Gray, is a 1940 Transylvania graduate and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 22 years. “We welcome Mayor Jim Gray to campus as an obvious choice for our commencement speaker,” President Seamus Carey said. “Transylvania is an integral part of Lexington, and the city—with its plentiful internships and other opportunities—complements our mission as a top-100 national liberal arts university.” The class of 2016 received their degrees during the 9 a.m. ceremony in front of the historic Old Morrison administration building. Fellow classmate Mary Katharine Stewart, who passed away March 19 in a hiking accident, was awarded her Spanish degree posthumously. Senior Kevin Moore—a religion major from Lexington—gave the student address. Class of 2016 honors Thirty-four percent of the graduating seniors are receiving program honors, and 32 percent are receiving Latin honors for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Forty-seven percent of the graduates studied abroad during their careers—either for a full term, a summer or during Transylvania’s four-week May term. Two seniors received Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships, one to teach in Macedonia and one in the Slovak Republic. Three of the 24 national Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society graduate fellowships were awarded to Transylvania seniors. Senior Reza Haider

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‘No Spring Chicken’ launches professional theater residency at Transylvania

Posted on May 16, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Transylvania University’s professional theater residency project kicks off this week with four performances of the critically acclaimed play, “No Spring Chicken.” The Project SEE production, directed by professor Sullivan Canaday White, will run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Little Theater. The new comedy by Ginna Hoben was hailed by critics at its Washington, D.C., premiere last fall as both a “tale of life at its very existential core” and “a funny surprisingly raw show.” The script is inspired by Hoben’s pregnancy blog, “bambino & the bean,” which charted the highs and lows of pregnancy at an “advanced maternal age” – 40. “With candor typical of a late-night college gabfest,” notes Washington Post reviewer Jane Horwitz, Hoben’s character, Jenn, “launches into her tale. She always wanted to be a mom but wasn’t quite ready. And when she finally was ready, getting pregnant was tough.” “This is a performance that celebrates the power of storytelling,” White said, “much like Hoben’s first play, ‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas,’ produced by Project SEE in 2011.” Project SEE is a Lexington theater company. Hoben is an actor, playwright and TV writer/producer who lives in New York City. (Her works include the Emmy-nominated “Brain Games.”) With its launch with Hoben’s play, Transylvania’s professional theater residency program will provide students a chance to work alongside professional theater artists on stage and off. “While professional theater residencies are not uncommon at large universities,” White said,

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Transylvania VPs selected for leadership programs

Posted on May 5, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Two Transylvania University vice presidents have been accepted to leadership programs that will give them valuable training and an active role in local and national government and education issues. Holly Sheilley, vice president for student affairs and athletic director, is one of 23 senior-level administrators in higher education nationwide selected by the Council of Independent Colleges to participate in the 2016-17 Executive Leadership Academy. The program is designed to prepare educators to eventually serve as effective college presidents. “I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow,” Sheilley said. “I appreciate the CIC and President Seamus Carey allowing me to participate.” The academy includes summer seminars in Washington, D.C., readings, webinars and a mentoring program. Sheilley will develop an experiential learning plan focused on specific areas of presidential responsibility. “Competition for the available places in the program was intense,” CIC President Richard Ekman said. “The review committee found the nomination materials to be most impressive. They and I believe that Dr. Sheilley has the potential for highly effective leadership as a college or university president.” Laura Bryan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university, has been accepted into the 2016 Leadership Kentucky class. The program brings together a select group of people who possess a broad variety of leadership abilities and career accomplishments to prepare them to take charge in advancing the state for the common good. “I am honored to be selected for the 2016 class

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