News from Transy

The ink dries as Transylvania professors release book about The Lexington Tattoo Project

Posted on January 31, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.―It’s been a whirlwind two years for Transylvania University art professor Kurt Gohde and English professor Kremena Todorova, who conceived the wildly popular and nationally acclaimed Lexington Tattoo Project. The tattoos are long healed, and now the only ink waiting to dry is the publisher’s process ink for their new 160-page full-color coffee table book, due to be released Friday, Feb. 7, during an event at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. A multi-phase, multi-media artwork, The Lexington Tattoo Project boldly asked Lexingtonians to volunteer their bodies as the canvas for an inked phrase from an original poem about their beloved Bluegrass city. Gohde and Todorova asked author, poet and Transylvania graduate Bianca Spriggs to write a love letter to Lexington, which resulted in “Lexington is the ___________ of the Universe.” The poem, written in contrapuntal form, incorporated words provided by Facebook friends to fill in the blank. As the 253 participants were inked, Gohde and Todorova photographed each tattoo. Finally, a video was created by digitally stitching together all the photographs, which were cleverly designed to create a secondary image when viewed together. The video includes Spriggs reading the poem, underscored by a contrapuntal music composition by singer-songwriter Ben Sollee. The video premiered on Nov. 15, 2013, during PRHBTN, Lexington’s annual street-art festival, to a wildly enthusiastic audience. “Like so many other parts of the Lexington Tattoo Project, this book is a result of collaborative effort,” said

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Compelling entertainer Noah Griffin shares his journey of discovery

Posted on January 23, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—How did a Civil War regiment of African American soldiers shape the America of today? The multifaceted Noah Griffin—singer, performer, historian, poet, TV and radio personality, inspirational speaker, former political campaign aide, and graduate of Harvard Law School—will present “The Massachusetts 54th Regiment: Storming the Ramparts for Today’s America” at Transylvania University’s Carrick Theater in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the first unit of African American soldiers to be recruited in the North to serve in the Civil War. Its history provides insight into the complexities of the nation during the Civil War and, according to Griffin, a better understanding of contemporary America. Griffin will speak about his personal search for “the most valiant regiment in the Civil War, which opened the door for black citizenship, the vote and the America of today where we have the first African American president.” Griffin’s life’s journey has come full circle. Gifted in song at an early age, but drawn to explore many of his other talents, Griffin realigned his priorities after a stroke and paralysis in later life compelled him to return to singing. Now he combines his art with his other gifts to inspire audiences to think about larger issues and to pursue “what you were intended to do in life…[to] live your dream.” Griffin’s lecture is

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Eleanor Clift to visit Transylvania as Woodrow Wilson Fellow

Posted on January 17, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Author and political commentator Eleanor Clift will be a guest at Transylvania University during the week of January 27, visiting classes and holding discussions with students. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m., she will present a public lecture titled “Everybody Loves to Hate Washington: Are They Right?” in the Campus Center. A book signing will follow. The event is free, and free parking is available in Transylvania lots along Fourth Street. The public and media also are welcome to join Clift immediately following her book signing for a viewing and discussion of President Obama’s State of the Union address, also in the Campus Center. President Obama is scheduled to address Congress and the nation at 9 p.m. “Eleanor Clift is a remarkable woman with an in-depth knowledge of national and international politics and an impressive personal history in the media,” said Transylvania psychology professor and event organizer Meg Upchurch. “We are delighted that she agreed to be this year’s Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. Her weeklong residency on campus will give members of the Transylvania community several opportunities to conduct in-depth discussions with her. We also look forward to people from Lexington and the surrounding area joining us for her public events.” The Hunter College graduate began her career as a secretary to Newsweek’s national affairs editor in New York. She was one of the first women at the magazine to move from secretary to reporter. During her career,

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Transylvania University expands its commitment to international students

Posted on January 15, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Reflecting its commitment to attracting international students and helping them succeed after they arrive on campus, Transylvania University has hired Serenity Wright as a full-time international student services coordinator. Wright is a passionate teacher, researcher and international traveler. She holds a B.A. in history with a minor in educational studies from Transylvania University and an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Kentucky. She is scheduled to complete her Ed.D. at UK with a focus on multicultural curriculum in the summer of 2014. During her career, Wright has worked as a social studies teacher, a curriculum and literacy specialist and a behavioral interventionist for students in danger of falling into the achievement gap. Wright is excited about her role in nurturing the students from abroad and perhaps enriching their experience in the U.S., but she is equally enthusiastic about the “wealth of knowledge that our international students bring with them” and how “that will enhance and expand the classroom community” at Transylvania. Wright’s responsibilities will include coordinating Transylvania’s Friendship Family Program, which connects students far from home with local host families who can provide a more personal introduction to the area and to the local culture. She’ll also arrange international dinners in conjunction with the International House, a campus student residence that promotes awareness of other cultures, as well as provide personal assistance to help students acclimate to their new home. At Transylvania, international students also receive

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