1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University
Courtney Smith’s zeal for travel rivals her mission to inspire the same curiosity in others. She wants everyone to share in those life-altering opportunities that can only happen abroad.
Along with today’s traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, Transylvania University students have cause to celebrate their school’s connections to China. Through study abroad opportunities and campus events, they are able to go beyond book learning to get real-world experience of Chinese language and culture. For instance, a Chinese New Year event on Friday will feature a screening of the movie “Raise the Red Lantern” and an information session on scholarships for studying in China. These scholarship opportunities include funding to attend summer school at Shanghai University. Another is the prestigious and competitive Critical Language Scholarship, a U.S. Department of State program that covers all expenses for study in China. A Transylvania student won a CLS scholarship for China in 2016—and another is currently a semifinalist for the award. By traveling to China, these students learn things they can’t glean from a textbook. “They really need to see with their own eyes what’s happening in China and how the economy and culture are working and changing day by day,” said Qian Gao, associate professor of Chinese language and culture. “Ever year there is something new.” In addition to study abroad, Transy students also benefit from speakers who visit campus to discuss Chinese culture. Earlier this school year, Morton Holbrook III, a longtime foreign service officer and former U.S. consul general in China, gave students a personal account of his 32 years as a diplomat, and he outlined the changing contours of
World-renowned author Salman Rushdie will give Transylvania University’s 2019 William R. Kenan Jr. Lecture on Wednesday, March 27.
Congratulations to all students who made the Transylvania University dean’s list!
Accounting major and studio art minor Kaitlin Wheeler graduates in May, but she’s already lined up a job in the city of her choice, Nashville. Poised and prepared, Wheeler admits she didn’t realize all of the benefits of being at Transylvania until she understood just how competitive she was in the workforce—thanks to a combination of education, opportunities and real-world experience. “Transy prepares you so much,” Wheeler explains. “Employers look at your transcript and your experience, but they also want to know that you can communicate with all kinds of people.” Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Wheeler came to Transy to play volleyball on an art scholarship, but she says she stayed for the friendships she made and the close relationships with her professors. As president of her sorority, Wheeler has been active on campus and in Lexington. Also, she’s become comfortable collaborating with people from many backgrounds. “Transy really does make you stand out,” Wheeler notes, “because you’ve done all these different things. My art minor was brought up in every interview I had.” Time management, problem solving, analytical thinking, learning how to network and thriving in an internship also played a role in Wheeler’s success as a job candidate. With the help of her academic adviser, Wheeler secured a paid internship, initially for credit, with local accounting firm, Enderle & Romans PLLC. She quickly progressed from bookkeeping to the tax work she loves. “It’s exciting to be learning new
Read “Kaitlin Wheeler ’19 gained her competitive edge at Transy”
