Alumni Archives

Transylvania alumni to transform campus plaza, create scholarship fund

Posted on August 11, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University alumni have united to renovate a gathering place in the heart of the campus—and provide funding for legacy scholarships while they’re at it. To raise money for the Alumni Plaza project, graduates of the university are asking donors to have their name—or the name of someone they’d like to honor—engraved on a brick that will be placed in the busy meeting area behind historic Old Morrison. “Our plan is to transform Haupt Plaza into a true campus center—a place of pride and beauty for all of the Transylvania community past, present, and future,” according to alumni representatives. “Hand-in-hand with this bricks-and-mortar component is the effort to create a new scholarship fund for legacy students to ensure that the campus will persist with new generations of Pioneers. We look forward to creating an inspiring and functional outdoor gathering space for future Transylvania students to enjoy.” The goal for the Alumni Plaza Brick Project is to raise at least $250,000 for the renovation, which also will include new trees, seating, and an outdoor classroom with Wi-Fi capability. The Transylvania Alumni Board and the Transylvania University Young Alumni Council already have received almost $135,000 in pledges. These tax-deductible donations are an opportunity for the Transylvania community and friends to not only leave a mark on an institution that has been around for more than 230 years but also help shape the future through the scholarship fund. For more information, contact

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Transylvania alums honored by Fayette County Bar Association

Posted on May 6, 2013July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Three Transylvania University alumni, Mindy Barfield ’85, Carl Frazier ‘04 and Palmer Gene Vance II ’87, were recognized May 1 by the Fayette County (Ky.) Bar Association (FCBA) at its 2013 Law Day Celebration. Barfield, a partner in the litigation department at Dinsmore and Shohl, received the Citizen Lawyer Award, which honors one member of the FCBA who has practiced at least 10 years in Fayette County; provides duties as an office of the court, fiduciary and advocate of clients; is involved in governmental, civic, charitable or community activities; and has demonstrated a sincere desire to maintain and improve the administration of justice, the quality of legal practice and the quality of life for all residents of Fayette County. Barfield practices in the area of complex commercial litigation, with a focus on defending businesses in contract-related and business torts litigation; litigation of coal-related disputes and complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. She is a past president of the FCBA and received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award in 1999. She is a member of the Transylvania Board of Trustees. Frazier, an associate at Stoll Keenon Ogden, received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The award honors one member of the FCBA who has practiced in Fayette County for less than 10 years; demonstrated promise in learning the practical application of law to human problems; admirably fulfilled the duties owed by an attorney to the court, clients and the community; and

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Transylvania wins AIKCU’s annual “Battle of the Bumpers” contest for fifth year running

Posted on April 19, 2013July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—With the help of alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends, Transylvania University is once again the winner in the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) “Battle of the Bumpers.” Transylvania beat out the other 19 AIKCU campuses to put the most campus license plates on Kentucky highways and the most dollars in the school’s general scholarship fund. Transylvania’s efforts helped increase their total sales to 901 in 2012, an increase of 49 license plates over 2011. Ten dollars from the sale of each plate is returned directly to the school’s general scholarship fund, translating into $9,010 for student scholarships at Transylvania. Overall, sales of Kentucky Independent Higher Education plates raised more than $47,900 for student scholarships in 2012. “In the last two years, we’ve increased our license plate sales and renewals by 36 percent,” said John Davis, director of annual giving. “Even though I’m thrilled about this accomplishment, the students are the ultimate winners. Thank you to all of our alumni and friends for their generous support.” The Kentucky Independent Higher Education series plates took to the roads in 2002. Each independent college and university had its own plate, but they all shared a common design theme. Thanks to advances in license plate printing technology and some changes in state regulations, AIKCU members were able to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to redesign their plates in late 2007. The new plates went on sale in

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Charles L. Shearer, president emeritus of Transylvania University, receives honorary degree from University of Kentucky at December commencement; alumnus David Lollis also honored

Posted on December 17, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

Charles L. Shearer, right, receives his honorary degree from UK President Eli Capilouto. Photo by Matt Goins. LEXINGTON, Ky.—Charles L. Shearer, president emeritus of Transylvania University, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the December commencement ceremonies at the University of Kentucky for his lifetime service to higher education. Shearer was selected as president of Transylvania in 1983, beginning a distinguished 27-year tenure that is the longest in the university’s history. A native of Louisville, Shearer earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master’s in diplomacy and international commerce, both from the University of Kentucky. He then earned a master’s and a Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University. Shearer was named to the presidency of Transylvania at the age of 40, after serving four years as the university’s vice president for finance. One of his first priorities was to increase enrollment, which stood at 655. By the next fall, the entering class had climbed 46 percent over the previous year, to 312, and overall enrollment climbed 19 percent to 785. By 2008, 1,153 students were enrolled, a 76 percent increase. Academic quality of the faculty and student body was another priority. The number of students receiving prestigious William T. Young Scholarships, which cover full tuition and fees for four years, grew from 10 to 25, and the innovative Bingham Program for Excellence in Teaching provided financial rewards to high achieving professors. Further bolstering the

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Transylvania alum and Fulbright Scholar receives award for public diplomacy from U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

Posted on October 2, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania graduate, Rachael Williams, former Fulbright Scholar in South Korea, has been honored for her work in public diplomacy. The U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Sung Kim, presented Williams an award at the conclusion of a three-day Youth Diplomacy Program for 24 Korean secondary students. Williams has coordinated the program since 2010. The program emphasizes the role diplomacy plays in resolving global conflicts, English language acquisition, leadership and careers in diplomacy. Students listened to guest speakers, participated in small-group discussions and in a mock United Nations session. The students were selected through a highly competitive application process open to schools throughout the Korean peninsula. A Murray, Kentucky native, Williams graduated from Transylvania in 2009. Following graduation she served as a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea. The Fulbright program is a prestigious international exchange program designed to increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries, supported by the U.S. Department of State. As a Fulbright Scholar, Williams was the curriculum director of Camp Fulbright, an English language immersion program. She also mentored incoming Fulbright grantees, volunteered at a community orphanage and taught North Korean defectors. Williams is currently enrolled in the School for International Training in Vermont and plans to fulfill her practicum requirement in South Korea next year. She also works in World Learning’s International Education and Development Program Office as a student assistant.