1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

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Forbes ranks Transylvania high nationally in return on investment

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Two recent Forbes lists rank Transylvania University among the nation’s best colleges for student outcomes and alumni giving. Transylvania places among the top 10 percent of U.S. colleges for general return on investment—measures such as post-graduate success, satisfaction and student debt—and among the top 4 percent of colleges in grad donations and participation rate. “These rankings reinforce what we already know: Our strong liberal arts tradition provides students with not only the skills that employers value but also with an experience that will help them lead meaningful lives,” President Seamus Carey said. Transylvania takes extra steps to ensure its grads excel. For example, the 100 Doors to Success mentorship program pairs students with alumni who have a wealth of work and life experience to share. Successful outcomes are at the heart of the Forbes lists. America’s Top Colleges 2016 ranks schools not by what it takes to get accepted into them (such as SAT scores), but by how students benefit from attending these institutions. “It is our answer to the debate over whether higher education is worth it: For these outstanding institutions, we give a resounding yes,” according to Forbes. In addition to considering salary, the Top Colleges list measures success through achievements such as leadership and innovation. The business magazine’s 2016 Grateful Grad Colleges measures return on investment in a different way—monetary support by alumni. “The best colleges produce crop after crop of successful graduates that show their appreciation

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Transylvania receives $71,000 grant for black male students

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has received a $71,000 grant from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust for the Pioneer Pathway Program, which prepares young black males for success in college preparation and completion. Mentorship is at the heart of this program for both the high school and undergraduate participants. The grant will help fund activities including Transylvania’s College Empowerment Program for high school students, and professional development and community leadership seminars. The Pioneer Pathway Program is part of Project One, a campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiative. “Transylvania views education as the gateway to a life of increasing freedom to choose one’s own life path,” President Seamus Carey said. “We recognize that many people in society have different starting points towards this path. In particular, young men of color often face significant obstacles that must be addressed and overcome in order for them to take advantage of the educational path. Transylvania is committed to doing all that we can to create the conditions in which young men of color can thrive.” This funding from the Kenan Trust in Chapel Hill, N.C., is part of nearly $3 million in grants for black males in Kentucky. Locally, this money also will go to groups such as the Fayette County Fatherhood Initiative at the Lexington Leadership Foundation, Fayette County Public Schools and the United Way of the Bluegrass. “We chose to partner with organizations and leaders throughout the state of Kentucky that were committed to

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What you need to know about NCAA DIII & scholarships

Posted on by Transy Pioneer

There are a lot of misconceptions about NCAA Division III and how to pay for college. Do we provide athletic scholarships? Academic scholarships? Can you sign a National Letter of Intent? We have jotted down these common questions from parents and students and provided you with the in-depth answers you need to better understand Division III. “I am the BEST [insert sport here] athlete at my school/county/district/state. How can I earn an athletic scholarship to attend Transylvania University?” That’s awesome! We’re thrilled you’re interested in sporting Crimson as a Transylvania Pioneer. The good news? We have MANY scholarship offerings available, but you earn them in a different way than you might have imagined. According to NCAA Division III Bylaw 15.01.3, “A member institution shall not award financial aid to any student on the basis of athletics leadership, ability, participation or performance.” This means that as a NCAA Division III institution, Transylvania University is not allowed to provide athletic scholarships to students. So, how do you pay for college? Through your performance in the classroom and other avenues, such as financial need. Transylvania provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in merit-based scholarships every year. When combined with financial aid, it can make an education at Transy very affordable. “NCAA DIII schools aren’t allowed to give athletic scholarships, but what if I’m an exceptional athlete. If the coach really wants me they can ‘sweeten the pot’ if they want too.” NCAA Division III bylaws are

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Transylvania to offer $60,000 International Baccalaureate scholarships

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University is making a major commitment to graduates of the globally recognized International Baccalaureate program. Transylvania will offer scholarships of at least $60,000 over four years to graduates of IB programs, which, like the university, promote open-mindedness, intercultural understanding and curiosity. “We are reaching out to IB students everywhere because we believe that our shared approaches to modern, interdisciplinary liberal arts education offer each of us the opportunity to grow and to use education to improve our lives and make the world a better place for all,” Transylvania President Seamus Carey said. The more than 5,500 IB programs in 151 countries—from Botswana to Boston—prepare students for participation in a global society through a rigorous curriculum. Founded in 1968, IB educates students aged 3-19, awarding them diplomas or certificates upon finishing the program. Four Kentucky high schools have IB programs, and there are several more in the region. Transylvania will begin offering the scholarships in the fall of 2017. The university believes its deep foundation in the liberal arts serves as an ideal continuation of the IB curriculum, which shares its values of knowledge, creativity, service and empathy. Those offered a scholarship also will receive early entry into the 100 Doors to Success mentoring program. This initiative pairs students with alumni who share a wealth of workplace and life experience. Additionally, the university will guarantee them internships and/or study abroad experience. While Transylvania ranks among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges,

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Recent Transylvania grad wins national drama award

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Brooke Jennett, who graduated from Transylvania University in May, has won the 2016 Dramatists Guild of America Young Playwright Award. Brooke Jennett (r) with Charlotte Stephens (l) and Sophia Burke (center) performed in “Shakespeare in Mind” (Transylvania, 2014). Now in its third year, this national award identifies writers who demonstrate a commitment to their craft and the ability to present a unique view of the concerns of their generation, according to the DGA. “I am so honored to receive this award, especially among a pool of so many talented young playwrights,” said Jennett, who graduated cum laude with honors in her theater major. Michael Bigelow Dixon, a theater professor at Transylvania, said Jennett is finding her unique voice. “Her plays combine a poetic imagination with strong passions, deeply held convictions and vibrant theatrical instincts. Brooke clearly has things to say about the ways of the world and her experience in the 21st century, and through theater she’s finding a way to express her thoughts and feelings in dramatic and entertaining ways.” Competing against hundreds of other entrants from across the country, Jennett won the award for “Three Is Company,” which she wrote during Horizon Theatre’s New South Young Playwrights Festival in Atlanta earlier this month. Aurora Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director Justin Anderson directed the play during the festival. Dixon described “Three Is Company” as “a quirky romantic comedy that explores complexities of modern love in a supermarket tea aisle,

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