1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Month: January 2019

‘Pitch Perfect’ project: Transy students reviving Grace Notes

Posted on by John Friedlein

Transylvania University and the community at large once again will be graced with the voices of the school’s female a cappella group. With auditions next week, first-year student Karisma Keeton and sophomore Emily Maddix are working together to help revive the Grace Notes after a brief hiatus for the group. Both are members of the university’s choirs and look forward to also having a smaller group that performs more pop-oriented music—think Britney Spears as opposed to Bach. “It’s really exciting to be able to come together in a smaller group,” Maddix said. The format will allow students to pick fun pieces they wouldn’t necessarily be able to perform in a more strict choral setting. Additionally, the smaller size allows them to travel more easily and often, said Keeton, who also founded a female a cappella group in high school. “We were both really excited because we wanted to get this started again—we think it will be a good addition to campus.” Another perk of this “Pitch Perfect” type of ensemble is that each singer knows her voice will be heard—almost like they’re singing solo. “That sounds a little scary at first, but it’s actually really fulfilling,” Keeton said. Grace Notes has performed at a variety of venues, including opening day at Keeneland and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony on campus. The new group may sing at the university’s upcoming “Cabaret.” Regan MacNay, Transy’s new assistant professor of

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Keep the memories alive with a Forrer Hall commemorative brick

Posted on by Megan Moloney

Brick by brick, Forrer Hall is coming down to make way for a vibrant new space for Transylvania’s campus. As we’ve shared construction updates the past few months, our alumni have shared their memories of Forrer. According to your comments on our social media posts, it’s a building that holds a lot of memories — and apparently a few secrets. As the bricks come down, now is the time to bring a part of your past home while supporting future Pioneers. Do you remember meeting your best friend because she lived across the hall freshman year? What about candle-lights in the courtyard? Or dining in the Caf with your friends? Now, after 60 years of serving the campus and its residents well, demolition of Forrer began this week. In its place will soon rise an expanded campus center and dining hall, providing much-needed spaces designed to be at the center of the student life experience. As the bricks come down, now is the time to bring a part of your past home, all while supporting future Pioneers. Commemorate the years you spent in Forrer Hall by ordering a brick from the building today. Proceeds will benefit the Annual Fund, impacting the education of all current and future Pioneers. Bricks are $75 (add $10 for shipping) and you can order one by clicking on this link —  www.alumni.transy.edu/forrerbricks. Be sure to keep an eye out here and on Transy’s social media for updates

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Transylvania Data Viz Thursdays to feature transformative field of data visualization

Posted on by Robin Hicks

The application of data visualization is transforming a wide variety of professions—and our understanding of each other. It is being used to replace vertebrae, explore human relationships and translate complex realities into a single clarifying graphic. On three consecutive Thursdays beginning Jan. 24, Transylvania University will host discussions with professionals who use data visualization in the fields of art, journalism and life sciences. These Data Viz talks, which are part of Transylvania’s Creative Intelligence Series, are free and open to the public. They are supported by our Digital Liberal Arts initiative and coincide with the Morlan Gallery’s “Data, Mine” exhibition.   Jan. 24: “Data, Mine” Art Talk & ExhibitionArtists Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick use data visualization to explore relationships, surveillance, migration and the politics of landscape. They’ve appeared on the TED Talk stage, The Colbert Report, National Public Radio and WIRED magazine. Now you can see their work in the Morlan Gallery (beginning Jan. 16) and attend their talk, “You’re Being Followed: A Discussion about Data Prediction, Privacy, and Digital Tracking,” which will be moderated by Emily Goodman, assistant professor of art history. Carrick Theater on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. (reception to follow in Morlan Gallery) Jan. 31: Data Visualization with Tim Meko of The Washington PostAs the Post’s deputy graphics director, Meko uses data, design and code to distill the most complicated information into decipherable and often stunning visuals. The Transy alumnus will talk about his work and how he taps

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