News from Transy

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania recently honored students for their academic achievements and campus involvement during its annual University Awards ceremony. The award recipients are: Student Activities Board Member of the Year: Adam Littrell Student Activities Board Service Award: Jennifer Kirk, Laura Lawless, Betsey Pigg, Amanda Todd and Rebecca Williams. Student Government Association Senator of the Year: Tyler Murphy Student Government Association Service Award: Sarah Billiter, Elizabeth Combs, Kyle Libra, Meg Phillips and Francesca Pribble. Judicial Board Service Award: Neil Barry, Jessica Brown, Elizabeth Doan, Spencer Hamilton, Lucienne Hartmann, Meg Phillips and Charlene Rubio. Crimson Crew Member of the Year: Christina Walker Omicron Delta Kappa Leader of the Year: Meg Phillips Omicron Delta Kappa Recognition: Sarah Billiter, Megan Blandford, George Botsko, Melinda Braun, Molly Burchett, Elizabeth Combs, Brittny Congleton, Monica Hagan, Sarah Harcourt, Shane McGuire, Lucas Phillips, Jessica Rickard, Jessica Sullivan, Courtney Williams, Ryan Wood and Mark Anthony Zanni. Order of Omega Recognition: Olivia Bentley, Sarah Billiter, Stephanie Christopher, Elizabeth Combs, Lauren Covert, Katherine Davis, Holly Gilbert, Allison Keskey, Shane McGuire, James Rice, Jessica Rickard, Bo Ryser, Sarah Tackett, Josh Wenta, Courtney Williams, Rachel Williams and Mark Anthony Zanni. Alpha Omicron Pi Mary Breckenridge Cup: Delta Delta Delta Phi Kappa Tau Hendrick Cup: Phi Mu Excellence in Programming Award:  Courtney Wilson Student Alumni Association Member of the Year: Chelsea Kelley Student Alumni Association Scholarships: Rebecca Honaker and Ann Marie Killingbeck. Chi Omega Mary Collis Vance Award: Paul Kevin Wells Delta Delta Delta First

Read “Students honored at annual University Awards ceremony”

LEXINGTON, Ky.—U.S. Representative John Yarmuth’s office has confirmed that the office of Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff will review the case file of Transylvania honor student and Sudanese refugee Lino Nakwa. Nakwa is facing deportation to Sudan on an immigration technicality. In 1992, 12-year-old Nakwa and his older brother were kidnapped by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, a rebel terrorist group that murdered his father. For a month, Nakwa and his brother were held by the SPLA before making their escape. In 2003, Lino and four younger siblings were granted refugee status and immigrated to Louisville. Nakwa worked full-time at UPS to support his younger siblings while attending classes at Jefferson Community College as a full-time student. He graduated with distinction and entered Transylvania last fall as a junior where he works two campus jobs and was named to the dean’s list. Though his records show that he was kidnapped by the SPLA and held there against his will, the United States government is now denying Nakwa’s request for a green card because it says he received “military-type training” (as a 12-year-old) while being held by the rebel group. Nakwa’s older brother lives in the United Kingdom and also faces possible deportation. Nakwa’s younger siblings all have green cards, because they were never kidnapped by the SPLA. One of his younger brothers is on a soccer scholarship at Xavier University and a sister was a Governor’s Scholar. Letters of

Read “Update on the status of Transylvania honor student and Sudanese refugee Lino Nakwa, who is facing deportation”

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Honor student and Transylvania junior Lino Nakwa is facing deportation to Sudan on an immigration technicality. In 1992, 12-year-old Nakwa and his older brother were kidnapped by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, a rebel terrorist group that murdered his father. For a month, Nakwa and his brother were held by the SPLA before making their escape. They were on their own for two years and then spent eight years in a refugee camp in Kenya. In 2003, Lino and four younger siblings were granted refugee status and immigrated to Louisville. Nakwa worked full-time at UPS to support his younger siblings while attending classes at Jefferson Community College as a full-time student. He graduated with distinction and entered Transylvania last fall as a junior where he works two campus jobs and was named to the dean’s list. Though his records show that he was kidnapped by the SPLA and held there against his will, the United States government is now denying Nakwa’s request for a green card because it says he received “military-type training” (as a 12-year-old) while being held by the rebel group. Nakwa’s older brother lives in the United Kingdom and also faces possible deportation. Nakwa’s younger siblings all have green cards, because they were never kidnapped by the SPLA. One of his younger brothers is on a soccer scholarship at Xavier University and a sister was a Governor’s Scholar. Over 120 students, faculty, and staff members have

Read “Call to action: Transylvania honor student and Sudanese refugee faces deportation”

LEXINGTON, Ky.—In celebration of Women’s History Month, female Transylvania students will adopt a group of sixth-grade girls for the day on Wednesday, March 26. The middle school girls will have the opportunity to experience college life with their hosts as they attend classes, hear presentations from Transy staff, eat in the dining hall and collaborate on a group art project. The innovative program, now in its 15th year, was developed by students, faculty and staff to target girls who are at a critical stage of development. Studies show that in middle school girls often begin to lose self-esteem and confidence and need female role models to encourage them. For more information, call the public relations office at (859) 233-8120.