1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

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Transylvania Data Viz Thursdays to feature transformative field of data visualization

Posted on by Robin Hicks

The application of data visualization is transforming a wide variety of professions—and our understanding of each other. It is being used to replace vertebrae, explore human relationships and translate complex realities into a single clarifying graphic. On three consecutive Thursdays beginning Jan. 24, Transylvania University will host discussions with professionals who use data visualization in the fields of art, journalism and life sciences. These Data Viz talks, which are part of Transylvania’s Creative Intelligence Series, are free and open to the public. They are supported by our Digital Liberal Arts initiative and coincide with the Morlan Gallery’s “Data, Mine” exhibition.   Jan. 24: “Data, Mine” Art Talk & ExhibitionArtists Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick use data visualization to explore relationships, surveillance, migration and the politics of landscape. They’ve appeared on the TED Talk stage, The Colbert Report, National Public Radio and WIRED magazine. Now you can see their work in the Morlan Gallery (beginning Jan. 16) and attend their talk, “You’re Being Followed: A Discussion about Data Prediction, Privacy, and Digital Tracking,” which will be moderated by Emily Goodman, assistant professor of art history. Carrick Theater on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. (reception to follow in Morlan Gallery) Jan. 31: Data Visualization with Tim Meko of The Washington PostAs the Post’s deputy graphics director, Meko uses data, design and code to distill the most complicated information into decipherable and often stunning visuals. The Transy alumnus will talk about his work and how he taps

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Transylvania expands Rafskeller to accommodate Campus Center construction

Posted on by John Friedlein

Transylvania University has expanded its Rafskeller Grill area to accommodate campus dining needs during the construction of a new, $29.6 million Campus Center. The renovated dining space, which opened this week as students returned for the beginning of winter term, provides more seating than the previous facility in Forrer Hall. The 60-year-old residence hall will make way for the new Campus Center. When this new building opens in the fall of 2020, it will include Transy’s main dining facility—the Great Hall—which will seat up to 450 and remain open 24/7 as a place for students to gather. It also will feature a cafe and outdoor terrace seating. Until then, the campus community will use the expanded Rafskeller area. (The name is a nod to an eccentric professor, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, and a play on a German word for a type of basement eatery: Ratskeller.) Seating in this space, located in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center, includes rooms with themes that students chose—including Lexington Culture, Fourth Street Stuff and the Rafeteria. To further accommodate the change in campus dining, Jazzman’s Cafe will add more grab-and-go options; two pop-up restaurants will be set up each week at various locations around campus; and, for dining outside on nice days, outdoor seating will remain in Alumni Plaza over winter.

Q&A with Judy Brumley ’18 provides career advice for first-year students

Posted on by Robin Hicks

When Judy Brumley graduated last May, her goal of securing a full-time position didn’t seem to take long at all. She was already working as a copywriting intern at Cornett marketing and freelancing for Smiley Pete Publishing and InStyle magazine. In no time, she became a marketing assistant for Smiley Pete. But, as her advice to first-year Pioneers reveals, reaching her destination required a four-year road map. Q: What are some of the essential experiences you had outside the classroom?  A: I did three different internships while at Transy. I worked at Tops magazine and Smiley Pete Publishing in Lexington, and InStyle magazine in New York. Each of these offered invaluable hands-on experience in the workplace. Transy and its English department, specifically, worked to make it possible for me to get credit for two of my internships. Additionally, my adviser went above and beyond to make it possible for me to relocate to NYC for a semester and receive credit for my position at InStyle. Having the opportunity to work for these companies gave me real-world experience that has proved helpful as I’ve interviewed for jobs. I have several different experiences to refer to when discussing my qualifications.  Q: How did Transy’s Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment help you?  I visited the career development office several times as a student, beginning when I was a freshman. I worked with staff to strengthen my resume and discuss possible internship opportunities. I had a mentor through

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