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Transylvania adopts test-optional admissions policy

Posted on January 15, 2015July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Beginning with the fall 2016 admissions cycle, students will no longer be required to submit ACT or SAT scores when applying to Transylvania University. Transylvania becomes the first Kentucky school from the U.S. News and World Report’s top 100 liberal arts colleges to adopt the new system, which is becoming increasingly popular among leading institutions. Students will still have the option to submit their scores for consideration in the admission and scholarship processes but can choose not to if they feel the scores do not accurately reflect their academic abilities. “The ACT and SAT are among a set of many tools that can be used in evaluating a student for admission and scholarships,” said Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. “But there is strong evidence that standardized tests are not the best predictors of retention and graduation for some students. We will offer students a choice.” Transylvania will continue to use a holistic approach to evaluate the applications of those who choose not to submit test scores. This will include an analysis of the rigor of curriculum, the high school transcript, writing ability, recommendations, and co-curricular involvement. Students will also be encouraged to interview with an admissions counselor. “Transylvania is a diverse community of many different types of learners and an accomplished faculty of master teachers. Reducing a student’s ability to a number does not do justice to what it means to be a student

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Silas House names winner of Transylvania’s inaugural Young literary award

Posted on January 8, 2015July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Author Silas House selected a fast-paced Kentucky mystery as the inaugural winner of Transylvania University’s Judy Gaines Young Book Award, which honors a work from the Appalachian region. “The Next Time You See Me,” the debut novel from Holly Goddard Jones, chronicles a woman’s disappearance in a rural Kentucky town and the secrets its residents are keeping. House—one of Kentucky’s most prominent authors—heaped praise on the novel, calling Jones “one of the best writers working today.” “I think Jones is doing something very remarkable in this novel because she is combining elements of mystery, sense of place and social commentary in a lyrical book that is also a real page-turner,” he said. “Jones portrays rural people in a dignified and complex way without ever approaching stereotype, revealing the heart and soul of one small Kentucky town (and, ultimately, America) in a vivid cast of characters that become very real to the reader. I was very compelled to read it but also didn’t want it to end so I could luxuriate in the rich sense of place, the provocative themes and the lush language.” Jones is from Russellville, Ky., and now lives in Greensboro, N.C. She teaches in the creative writing program at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and will visit Transylvania on March 24 at 5 p.m. to give a public reading from her book in Carrick Theater. The selection also comes with a $2,000 cash prize, and a signed

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss Green Capitalism at Transylvania

Posted on January 7, 2015July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Environmental lawyer and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will talk about Green Capitalism on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Transylvania’s Haggin Auditorium. The free event is part of the William R. Kenan Jr. Lecture Series. A reception will immediately follow in Carrick Theater. Tickets are sold out. “We are very excited to have a speaker the stature of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. here,” said psychology professor Meg Upchurch, who coordinates the lecture series. “His talk about how we can create jobs by developing environmentally sustainable industries should appeal to people from across the political spectrum. All of us who have a stake in the future of Kentucky can benefit from hearing ideas about possible directions the economy can take in the 21st century.” Green Capitalism Sustainable business and energy independence are keys to our economic revitalization. America can boost its own infrastructure by powering industry with plentiful and domestic renewable resources. With his trademark passion and topical expertise, Kennedy outlines how a sophisticated, well-crafted energy policy will help sharpen American competitiveness while reducing energy costs and our national debt. Intelligent energy policy is also the national fulcrum for U.S. foreign policy and national security. From career opportunities in sustainability and technologies to weaning our reliance on carbon energy, Kennedy offers a bold vision to restore U.S. economic might, safeguard our environment, and re-establish America’s role as an exemplary nation. Kenan series Transylvania’s Kenan lecture series and is

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Hoops for a cause at Transylvania on Wednesday

Posted on December 2, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky. –Basketball will not be the only focus of the night Wednesday, as the 20th ranked Transylvania University women’s basketball team hosts Mount St. Joseph University at the Clive M. Beck Center. Transylvania University will accept donations in support of Torsie Haugli and Lauren Hill, two courageous young women battling cancer. Haugli, a 2014 Transylvania graduate, was diagnosed in May with acute large cell lymphoma and is undergoing treatment at the Cleveland Cancer Clinic. And Lauren, a member of the Mount St. Joseph women’s basketball team, battles diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the nervous system. All proceeds from Wednesday’s game will benefit the Torsie Lymphoma Research Fund and The Cure Starts Now Foundation. Fans who donate a minimum of $1 will have an opportunity to help both causes with a halftime challenge—Layups for Lauren and Torsie. Each donor will spin five times before attempting a layup with their non-dominant hand. Fans can also purchase T-shirts to support the causes with a minimum $5 donation. Mount Saint Joseph University (2-2) enters the 7:30 p.m. game against an undefeated Transylvania team (4-0). “The opportunity for us to show our support for these two young ladies is something that I didn’t want us to miss and I hope our community can rally around,” Transylvania Athletics Director Holly Sheilley said. “The tenacity and strength that Torsie and Lauren have shown and continue to show is worthy to

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Transylvania University receives $2 million gift

Posted on November 20, 2014July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

Alvin R. “Pete” Carpenter LEXINGTON, Ky.—One of the most prominent buildings on the campus of Transylvania University is set to receive a major facelift thanks, in part, to the generous donation of a 1964 alumnus. Alvin R. “Pete” and Marilyn Carpenter plan to donate $2 million as the lead gift for the renovation of the Haupt Humanities building. “My education at Transylvania left me with a desire for lifelong learning,” said Pete Carpenter, who retired in 2001 as vice chairman of CSX Corporation. “This desire for learning and curiosity has helped me in my business endeavors. Institutions like Transylvania are the basis to the success some of us have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed. It’s crucial to give back to these institutions in order to help prepare and educate our next generation of leaders.” A Kentucky native from Mount Vernon and a graduate of Ludlow High School, Pete Carpenter has been an active alumnus of Transylvania, having served on the institution’s Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2000. He is also the recipient of the university’s Morrison Medallion, which is given to alums for outstanding service to Transylvania and its programs. After completing his college degree, Carpenter joined CSX where he rose up the ranks, having held such positions as executive vice president for sales and marketing, executive vice president of operations, and president and CEO of CSX Transportation before retiring as vice chairman of CSX Corporation. He

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