News from Transy

Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry presents Transylvania sustainability coordinator Angela Dossett with Transylvania’s grant for water quality education. LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University was among the schools, businesses and neighborhood groups that received a grant to fund projects to improve stormwater quality in Lexington. Mayor Jim Newberry presented the grants at a news conference today. Transylvania received a $4,878.75 educational grant for a year-long campaign focused on informing the university community about water quality issues. The grant requires a 50 percent match from the university. The grant will be used for water quality monitoring and stream cleaning projects in the Town Branch watershed, interpretive signage at the university’s rain garden and other existing water quality facilities on campus, faculty/staff workshops and distribution of up to 25 rain barrels and 20 rain garden plant kits to faculty and staff who attend the workshops. “The stormwater incentive grant is an exciting opportunity to focus on our impact on local water quality, as a campus community and as individuals, helping to position Transy as a leader in watershed protection in the downtown community,” said Angela Dossett, sustainability coordinator. The Water Quality Fees Board selected 13 Class B grants, available to businesses and institutions, for funding this year through the water quality management fee. Seven grants involve installation of infrastructure to improve water quality and reduce stormwater runoff and six, including Transylvania’s, were for the provision of educational programs. Fourteen Class A grants were also awarded to

Read “Transylvania receives grant from Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to fund educational programs for improving stormwater quality”

Charles Ambrose, right, with President Williams, received a 2010 Outstanding Community Honoree award November 10. LEXINGTON, Ky.—Charles T. Ambrose received a 2010 Outstanding Community Honoree award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Bluegrass Chapter at a National Philanthropy Day luncheon November 10. The program celebrates those who have made a significant contribution of time and resources to nonprofit agencies, therefore enhancing the quality of life in the community. Ambrose, a professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a widely published expert on medical history, was nominated by Transylvania University.   “Soon after Dr. Ambrose’s first visit to Transylvania in 2007, he embarked on a mission to tell the world about the books and instruments used in the old Transylvania Medical Department from 1799-1859 that are still kept in our Special Collections,” said Mark Blankenship, acting vice president for alumni and development.   First, Ambrose conceived the idea of hosting a symposium on Transylvania’s role in early medical education. The event attracted historians, physicians, teachers and others—including a Smithsonian Institution curator who studied Transylvania’s nineteenth-century medical collection. To continue the conversation among symposium attendees and to make others aware of Transylvania’s unique holdings, Ambrose offered to underwrite a publication, “Transylvania Treasures,” that would tell the story of the school’s rich past. Eight issues have been published since 2008, and Ambrose is a frequent contributor. “Transylvania Treasures” has been extremely well received and

Read “Transylvania Special Collections champion Charles Ambrose honored at National Philanthropy Day”