Transylvania University senior Alex O’Connor has thrived in the classroom, on the volleyball court and as a campus leader — experiences that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of generous donors.
As the year draws to a close, Transylvania offers a special opportunity to support students like O’Connor. Thanks to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, gifts made online to The Transylvania Fund by Dec. 31 will be matched by 25% for individual donations up to $500. This will help ensure an extra $10,000 goes toward the school. Learn more about this opportunity and additional ways to support the university (donate by the end of the year to take advantage of current tax benefits).
O’Connor, a health and exercise science major with a psychology minor from Louisville, Kentucky, arrived at Transy in 2022 as a member of the Pioneer volleyball team. Academic awards — including the Pioneer Scholarship — made the university attainable.
“I am very thankful to all of the donors, because I don’t think I would be here right now without them and their generosity,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor — whose mother, Seema (Singh) Schantz, graduated in 1989 — has embraced that spirit of giving back. As a student worker for the alumni and development office, her duties include writing birthday cards to donors and pitching in around the office and for events like Alumni Weekend.
“I get to hear alumni stories and see how much they care about this place. It’s really touching to see how much people want to make Transy better and help new students come here.”
O’Connor looks back fondly over the past three and a half years — including reaching the NCAA Elite Eight, an experience made even more special by hosting the early rounds at the Beck Center with a roaring home crowd.
“We had such a big support system,” said O’Connor, this year’s team captain. “I truly don’t think we would have gone as far without our fans.”
She’s also served as vice president of the Omicron Delta Kappa chapter (a national leadership honor society), vice president of the Student Alumni Association and as a member of Phi Mu sorority.
“For all of us in the advancement office, spending time with students like Alex affirms why we do what we do,” said Kara Little Covert ’90, vice president for advancement. “Helping the next generation of Pioneers make their way to Transy — just as those who came before did for us — remains key to Transy’s future success, bettering students’ lives along the way.”
Make a gift today to help more students like O’Connor achieve their dreams.