1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

News from Transy

Transylvania University announces 2018-2019 feature event series New Frontiers

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

This year, the public is invited to go beyond the familiar and explore ideas, art and music with a new feature event series hosted on the campus of Transylvania University.  The New Frontiers 2018-2019 season focuses on the university’s year-long campus theme—civility—and the debate over its role in shaping citizens and communities.   Through presentations from such innovators as author Sir Salman Rushdie, digital creator Dylan Marron and data visualization artists Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick, New Frontiers embraces multiple disciplines, backgrounds and perspectives in a process that is vastly challenging, entertaining and, ultimately, transformative.  “In a world that is at once fragile, unyielding, complex and searching for direction, Transylvania’s New Frontiers season draws on the arts, humanities and sciences to explore who we are as humans and how we relate,” President Seamus Carey said. Events in the New Frontiers series are free and open to the public. Some events require reservations.  New Frontiers season highlights include signature performances and lectures, as well as selected events from the Transylvania Creative Intelligence Series, including: “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a choral drama featuring the Grammy-winning Conspirare on Oct. 9  James Mustich, author of “1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List” on Oct. 18 “Data, Mine” art talk and exhibition with Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick on Jan. 24 Shaun Leonardo, an award-winning artist who uses performance practice to unravel the complexities of human interaction on Feb. 27 Sir Salman Rushdie,

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Transylvania adds faculty members for new academic year

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Four new full-time faculty members will join Transylvania University for the start of the 2018-19 academic year on Sept. 4. The three professors and endowed chair will contribute to the university’s centuries-old tradition of excellence in teaching through their fields of theater, music, education and exercise science. “We are excited to welcome these four faculty members to campus as we embark on a new academic year,” said Laura Bryan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. “They bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm that will enrich the learning environment here at Transylvania.” The new faculty members include Tosha Fowler, who is Transylvania’s Lucille C. Little Chair of Theater and the director of the Theater Program. An educator, director and actor, she spent the past 11 years in Chicago’s thriving arts scene. Fowler is the founding executive artistic director of that city’s Cor Theatre. She also taught at The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she received an MFA in acting. Her other experience includes serving as an instructor of drama workshops for Urban Hope, a program for inner-city youths in Savannah, Georgia. Most recently, Fowler was a visiting professor for the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University. Also joining Transylvania’s Division of Fine Arts this fall is Regan MacNay, who is the university’s new assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in choral

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More than 300 students welcomed as Class of 2022 arrives at Transylvania University

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University will welcome students from across Kentucky, the nation and the world when more than 300 new Pioneers move in Friday. Kentucky students make up a majority of the incoming class, with nearly 80 percent coming from the Commonwealth. Students from Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan make up another 13 percent of the first-year class, with 10 other states also represented. They are joined by international students from Albania, Australia and Estonia.  Almost 18 percent of first-year students are first-generation college students. Twenty percent of the incoming Class of 2022 are students of color, making this class the most diverse ever to enroll at Transylvania. This is the result of a sustained effort by the university to diversify its student body and foster an inclusive campus environment. “We’re excited to welcome our new class and guide them through the transformative education for which Transylvania is well known. They will be introduced to new ideas and perspectives that will give them the freedom to choose their most desired paths which, after all, lies at the heart of our liberal arts mission,” President Seamus Carey said. “The college years are an opportunity for dialogue and interpersonal interactions that help our students lead more fulfilling lives and develop the skills necessary to succeed in the modern workplace.” The Class of 2022 has already demonstrated its success in academics. At Transylvania, they’ll have the choice of 46 majors and pre-professional

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State-of-the-art technology enhances safety of Transylvania’s North Broadway crosswalk

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Partnering with the state, Transylvania University is improving campus safety through the addition of state-of-the-art technology and major renovations to campus grounds. The North Broadway crosswalk between Third and Fourth streets has been equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons, which feature motion sensors that activate multiple flashing lights when pedestrians approach. The signals are especially helpful at dusk and night when motorists may have a difficult time seeing pedestrians. “These crosswalk improvements will enhance the safety not only of our students, faculty and staff, but also of motorists traveling along North Broadway,” President Seamus Carey said. “We appreciate the state Transportation Cabinet’s assistance in making these upgrades a reality.” The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet manages improvements to North Broadway, which is U.S. Route 27/68 through Lexington. The university, along with local and state transportation officials, explored numerous alternatives before deciding on the beacons. The solar-powered devices are similar to ones installed a few years ago in front of the Transportation Cabinet building in Frankfort. Additional safety enhancements to the Transylvania crosswalk include reducing the width of the crossing to a standard size, reconfiguring the sidewalks on both sides of Broadway to direct pedestrians to use the crosswalk and new signage. Also, the university is permanently closing a semicircular roadway and parking lot in front of the newly-renovated Carpenter Academic Center, formerly the Haupt Humanities building. Transylvania will install brick pavers in front of Carpenter to create a walkway, which will still

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Transylvania recognizes area first responders at annual luncheon

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LEXINGTON, Ky.— Transylvania University recognized local first responders today as part of an ongoing effort to foster a safe campus by strengthening community partnerships. Transy’s Campus Emergency Response Team’s annual luncheon was a chance for the Transylvania community to meet with public safety officials, express their gratitude and discuss initiatives that mutually benefit the campus and Lexington community. “We hope this event will help to further develop Transylvania’s professional working relationship with local emergency personnel in preparedness for any event,” said Gregg Muravchick, Transylvania’s director of public safety. This past year the university collaborated with local agencies for a wide range of activities—from the recent investiture ceremony of a federal judge on campus to participating in the Special Olympics to offering self-defense classes presented by UK’s S.T.A.R.R. program. Community partners attending today’s event included the Lexington Police and Fire departments, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, University of Kentucky Police Department and the FBI. “As a group, we like to review any incidents that have occurred during the past year, not only as a debriefing, but as a learning opportunity,” Muravchick said. “We also explore the community issues our Transylvania public safety officers need to be aware of so we can provide a safer campus environment and offer assistance to the larger community.” In addition to strengthening ties with the surrounding community, officers in Transylvania’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) regularly attend emergency and professional training, receive medical assistance certification and have implemented an

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