1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

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Transylvania hosts U.S. Naturalization Ceremony

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University hosted a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony on March 20. Immigrants from across the world took the Oath of Allegiance in Haggin Auditorium, completing their path to American citizenship. The ceremony, which was open to the public, drew a large crowd of both participants and supporters, as it did when when Transylvania hosted the event last year and in 1998. Karen Caldwell, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, presided. Caldwell is a Transylvania graduate and member of the university’s Board of Trustees. The speakers included Transylvania senior Allen Prado, who is a naturalized citizen from Cuba, and President Seamus Carey. Also, junior Vivian Tsai of Taiwan led the Pledge of Allegiance; and Grace Notes, a university a cappella group, sung the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Kerry Harvey, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Larry Kammerer, field office director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, offered introductions. Then Nathan W. Lee—a Transylvania alum and chief deputy clerk for the U.S. District Court—administered the Oath of Allegiance.

Leading thinker on future of technology to deliver Transylvania commencement address

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON Ky.— Homaira Akbari, an award-winning thought leader in the security, Internet of Things, mobile and software sectors, will deliver Transylvania University’s commencement address Saturday, May 23. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. in front of historic Old Morrison. Akbari became a pioneer in an industry at the forefront of global economic growth and development—at a time when few women were entering the science and technology workforce. She is founder and CEO of the global advisory firm, AKnowledge Partners. “We very much look forward to hearing Dr. Akbari’s address,” Transylvania President Seamus Carey said. “She is a brilliant thinker at the cutting edge of technology, industry and business. Her insight into the evolution of technology, where it is going and the impact it will have on how we live, is mesmerizing. She has a unique perspective to share with our students that will not only inform, but inspire them to shape their futures.” Akbari’s many leadership roles include serving on several U.S. and international public companies’ boards of directors and as chair of Johns Hopkins University Physics and Astronomy Advisory Council. She also is former president and CEO of SkyBitz, Inc., and has held senior executive positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft. Akbari earned a Ph.D. with honors in particle physics from Tufts University and an MBA with distinction from Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business. She has authored numerous scientific and industry articles and is an inventor

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Transylvania names dean of university

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University named Laura Bryan, who was dean of the University of Baltimore’s college of arts and sciences, as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. She began July 1. By hiring Bryan, Transylvania continues a leadership transformation that started a year ago with the selection of President Seamus Carey. “We are very excited to have Dr. Bryan join the Transylvania community during this time of renewal,” Carey said. “She brings a wealth of experience as an educator, administrator, consensus builder and advocate of the liberal arts.” Bryan, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and psychology professor, serves as the chief academic officer for the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences’ undergraduate and graduate programs. “I have tremendous respect for Transylvania’s mission, faculty, staff and students, and I am honored to be selected as the next dean,” Bryan said. “I look forward to partnering with the university and Lexington communities.” She will serve on the executive cabinet and oversee Transylvania’s library, study abroad program, writing center, first-year academic experience, registrar and career development office. Bryan is no stranger to the Lexington area, having served as director of work-life at the University of Kentucky. Additionally, she was associate VP for academic affairs with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Eastern Kentucky University, where she helped develop a graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology and was director for the campus Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program. Bryan also directed the

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Transylvania supports area agriculture at Local Food Fair

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University continued to grow its commitment to local agriculture on Friday, Feb. 20, during the annual Local Food Fair. The community came out to the Clive M. Beck Athletic Center to buy local food, meet growers and learn about innovative programs. “The Local Food Fair is a way Transylvania can connect our local farmers—especially those offering a Community Supported Agriculture program—with potential costumers and a way for us to connect the general public with growers,” said Angela Poe, director of the sustainability office, which hosts the fair. Customers of a CSA support farms through buying a share of the harvest. In turn, they receive boxes or baskets of fresh produce throughout the growing season. “Buying into a CSA can be intimidating if you haven’t done it before, but the Local Food Fair gives people a chance to talk to multiple farmers, face-to-face, about the CSA offerings,” Poe said. “This helps them get comfortable with the idea and find the CSA that will best fit their needs.” Participating farms included: Elmwood Stock, Fresh Stop Lexington, Triple J, Bellaire Blooms, Pine Barren, Stone Burr and McMaine’s Riverhaven. The Lexington and Bluegrass Farmers’ Markets were also represented, along with SeedLeaf, FoodChain and Sunny Side Up. Athenian Grill was on-hand serving food, so fair visitors could grab lunch or a snack while they talked to local farmers. Sustainability is a core value at Transylvania, which means the school has a strong commitment to local

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