News from Transy

Transylvania’s new librarian to revitalize reference, instruction programs

Posted on January 14, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.–It goes without saying that Lisa Nichols, Transylvania University’s new public services librarian, loves books. But, contrary to what most might think, that’s not the reason she entered her field. Instead, Nichols became a librarian to help others. “People always think you become a librarian because you love books, and while I do love them, it’s helping people find what they need to be successful that is the real heart of my job,” she said. “I just never know from day to day what questions I’ll be asked, and that’s exciting.” Nichols’ long-held desire to help others also led her from Morehead State University to the smaller, more intimate setting at Transylvania’s 1,100-student campus. “Because the campus is so small, I’m really looking forward to getting to know people – students, faculty and staff – on a more personal level,” she said. “Building those personal connections is very appealing to me.” As public services librarian, Nichols will be in charge of the reference and instruction programs, said Susan Brown, director of the school’s J. Douglas Gay Jr/Frances Carrick Thomas Library. “We are really excited to have her and look forward to all the exciting new ideas she will bring and new ways that she will be able to help our students,” Brown said. “I’m hoping to bring new vision to public services, especially in terms of instructional support,” Nichols added. “I’ll spend the semester getting to know what we’re

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Transylvania University Choir embarks on winter tour

Posted on January 5, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Transylvania University Choir embarks on their winter tour Wednesday, Jan. 6. The choir will perform in four cities in five days on their tour: Ashland, Ky.; Bloomington, Ill.; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Covington, Ky. At the conclusion of the tour, the choir will also give a performance at Transylvania. Selections for the performances include spirituals Precious Lord and John the Revelator, classic pieces by Mendelssohn and contemporary works by Leonard Bernstein. The Transylvania Madrigal Singers will also perform an abbreviated version of their program from Transylvania’s annual Medieval Madrigal Feast. Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. First Christian Church 1930 Winchester Ave. Ashland, KY 41101 (606) 324-5335Free and open to the public Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. First Christian Church 401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61761 (309) 829-9327 Free and open to the public Friday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Downey Avenue Christian Church 111 South Downey Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219 (317) 359-5304Free and open to the public Sunday, Jan. 10 at the 10:45 service Madison Avenue Christian Church 1530 Madison Ave. Covington, KY 41011 (859) 261-0226Free and open to the public Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Carrick Theater Transylvania University 300 North Broadway Lexington, KY 40508 (859) 233-8141Free and open to the public Under the direction of Gary Anderson, Transylvania professor of music and director of choral ensembles, the choir toured Venice, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Ljubljana, Slovenia in May 2009 as part of Transylvania’s

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Retired Transylvania professor publishes computer textbook

Posted on January 4, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—After 25 years of teaching a highly specialized computer course at Transylvania University, James Miller is sharing his knowledge in a newly published book. Compiler Construction: A Practical Approach, is designed to give undergraduate computer science students a “good understanding of the process involved in taking a computer language that we as programmers can understand and converting it to a language that the computer understands,” said Miller, who taught for 42 years at Transy before retiring in 2008. “I started teaching a compiler course at Transy almost before there was such a course for undergraduate computer science students,” he added. “The book comes mainly from notes that I developed over 25 years of teaching such a course.” Admittedly, the market for a compiler construction book is small, Miller said. “However, I hope that my book will fill the need for those looking for a more practical book in this field.” Although there are many compiler texts available, Miller said most of them concentrate more on theory instead of on actual implementation of a working compiler. His book takes the subject a step further by helping students complete the task of writing a compiler in a one-semester course. Throughout his teaching career at Transylvania, Miller also taught math and physics courses as well as other computer science courses. The accomplished professor is credited with launching the school’s computer science program, an initiative he championed throughout his tenure. He was also

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Transylvania students host Crimson Christmas for local children.

Posted on December 22, 2009July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

Transylvania students help a Crimson Christmas attendee create a work of art at the annual holiday event. Ninety-one Transylvania University students recently participated in Transylvania’s 18th annual Crimson Christmas philanthropic event. Transylvania’s Office of Residence Life and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass sponsored Crimson Christmas to provide local children with a holiday-filled morning. Children paired up with students from each residence hall to attend a carnival with booths hosted by a variety of Transylvania organizations. Activities included face painting, arts and crafts, trivia and other carnival games. The children also enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus who came bearing gifts. Transylvania, founded in 1780, is the nation’s sixteenth oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently ranked in national publications as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Transylvania initiates members into university’s inaugural class of Alpha Lambda Delta chapter

Posted on December 17, 2009July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

ALD adviser and psychology professor Michael Nichols (far left) and ALD adviser, associate dean of the college and biology professor Kathleen Jagger (far right) pose with new ALD inductees. LEXINGTON, Ky.—Sixty-eight Transylvania University first-year students were recently inducted into the inaugural class of Transylvania’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society. Transylvania’s chapter is the organization’s 325th chapter. Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2009, the national society recognizes students who have maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA and are in the top 20 percent of their class during their first year or term of higher education. To have an Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) chapter at an institution, the school must first have its own honor society for first-year students. Most of the 68 Transylvania students were inducted into the Transylvania First-Year Honor Society last spring. Transylvania then applied for an ALD chapter and once it was granted, these students, plus a few more of their peers, were inducted into the national honor society. Sophomore Joshua Edge, of Owensboro, Ky., is the president of ALD at Transylvania and said that having a chapter of the national society on campus “allows the university the means to recognize early achievement in students, which can be overlooked at times.” “As we begin to carve out a place for Alpha Lambda Delta in the Transylvania community, I hope that we will be able to be a voice for first-year students on Transy’s campus

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