News from Transy Archives

Transylvania theater department receives $204,769 gift

Posted on February 17, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University’s theater department has received a $204,769 gift to expand student and faculty opportunities and bolster community engagement. Over the next four years, the Dixon/White Theater Fund will benefit the university in a variety of ways, including travel grants, free theater tickets, conference attendance for students, visiting artist residencies and workshops, faculty development and guest speakers. “These funds offer students co-curricular experiences that complement our work in the classroom and in production,” theater professor Michael Dixon said. “For example, we’re initiating a lecture series to address issues of diversity in world theater. And each year we’ll provide funding for students to travel somewhere in the world to experience theatrical events in other cultures. It’s definitely mind-expanding, and it could be mind-blowing.” The donation—made by Dixon’s family in memory of his mother, Marion—will make it possible for the university to offer free admission to its theater productions, with the goal of making performances accessible to more of the Lexington community. This ties into Transylvania’s broader Project One initiative to promote diversity and inclusion on campus. The grant also will fund an artistic residency, which will begin in May with Lexington theater company Project SEE and its production of “No Spring Chicken” in Little Theater. “Professional theater residency is just one of many projects this gift allows us to pursue, and it adds Transylvania to a prestigious group of colleges with professional companies on campus, including Yale, Harvard and Vassar,” theater

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Kiplinger names Transylvania a 2016 Best College Value

Posted on January 6, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has named Transylvania University one of the best values in the nation. The magazine, which looked at which colleges combined outstanding academics with affordability, ranked Transylvania in the top 12 percent of the schools reviewed. “This is one of many reliable, data-driven sources that identify Transylvania as an excellent value,” said Rhyan Conyers, interim vice president for enrollment. “Higher education is a significant investment of time and financial resources, and it’s important to us that we deliver an outstanding value to our students and families.” Kiplinger editor Janet Bodnar offered practical advice about the ranking. “Families can use the list as a starting point and then tailor it to each student’s preference for such things as size, location, campus culture and major,” she said. The magazine included 1,200 schools in its review, which also placed Transylvania 64th among the country’s liberal arts colleges. When ranking the schools, Kiplinger considered criteria such as admission and graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, tuition cost and financial aid. Transylvania is committed to providing a top-tier education for the lowest cost possible. For instance, 98 percent of its students receive financial aid, and first-year students are awarded an average of $22,147 in scholarships and grants. Additionally, the university guarantees graduation in four years, covering tuition beyond that time for those who’ve met academic and course-load goals. The Kiplinger ranking is among several recent recognitions for Transylvania. Others include a U.S. News & World

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Transylvania partners with the state and LFUCG for Fourth Street improvements

Posted on January 4, 2016July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

  LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government plan to work together on a $1.3 million project to improve the West Fourth Street corridor from Upper to Jefferson streets. The work, which is expected to take place next year, will include new sidewalks, street and pedestrian lighting, signage, traffic and drainage improvements and further development of the Legacy Trail. The project will extend the look and feel of the previous streetscape improvements on Fourth Street alongside the school’s Athletics Complex between Jefferson Street and Newtown Pike.  Transylvania will match 20 percent of a state grant paid for by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, which support innovative improvements to traffic flow and air quality. Lexington and Lextran received a total of $7.7 million from the CMAQ program.  “These road and trail projects will help Lexington continue to strive to have a clean, healthy environment to support its strong quality of life for families and businesses,” former Gov. Steve Beshear said. Mayor Jim Gray also praised the funding. “These are the kinds of projects that improve quality of life in Lexington,” he said.  The Transylvania community especially will benefit from the improvements because students often walk and bike along Fourth Street to reach the Athletics Complex.  Previously the site of an abandoned tobacco warehouse, the sports venue is another example of how Transylvania has invested in developing this corridor—which connects not only the residents of north Lexington with downtown but

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Transylvania education program maintains dual accreditation

Posted on September 21, 2015July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University’s education program successfully completed rigorous reviews this year to maintain dual accreditation from state and national organizations. The university undergoes evaluations every seven years to maintain its status with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. “Achieving this accreditation is a major accomplishment, as the process is quite stringent,” said Tiffany Wheeler, associate professor of education and program director. “To achieve this status, education programs have to successfully demonstrate they are meeting challenging standards related to education candidates’ content knowledge, skills and dispositions. Other standards include field experiences, faculty qualifications and performance, diversity and program governance and resources.” To keep its national accreditation—which the state bases its decision on—Transylvania’s education program underwent both on-site and off-site reviews. The university submitted a lengthy report and many supporting documents that showed how it meets the standards of CAEP, which used to be called the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The name of the accreditation retains the organization’s former acronym: NCATE. “This reaffirmation of accreditation demonstrates the faculty’s commitment to provide our students with exceptional learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers in education,” said Laura Bryan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. Students in Transylvania’s education program can prepare to be a teacher in primary through secondary grades or opt for a non-teaching, educational studies major. Most of the courses include fieldwork,

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Transylvania makes U.S. News & World Report top liberal arts colleges list

Posted on September 9, 2015July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University earned a spot among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges in a U.S. News & World Report list released today. Transylvania ranked among the country’s best 100 liberal arts schools for a variety of reasons, including its excellent faculty, acceptance rate, alumni giving, financial resources and high school counselor ratings. “This ranking once again reinforces Transylvania’s standing as a top-tier U.S. liberal arts school,” President Seamus Carey said. “Our students learn from dedicated, engaging professors. And they benefit from living in the heart of a vibrant city—which sets us apart from most of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.” The U.S. News & World Report ranking is one of many tools students and parents use when choosing a college. Other factors they may consider when deciding on Transylvania include our three new residence halls opening this fall and next year, other major building improvements to campus, a test-optional admissions policy and an innovative August term for our first-year students to acclimate to college life. Today’s U.S. News & World Report ranking—which placed Transylvania 82nd out of the nation’s 245 liberal arts schools—comes on the heels of two other strong showings. The Princeton Review listed Transylvania University among the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges because of superior academics. And the Washington Monthly highlighted the school’s value, listing the university in the top 14 percent of the Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the South ranking.