1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

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Gregory Turay to perform two pieces by Vaughan Williams

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Tenor Gregory Turay knows about journeys, not only in distances logged by frequent flyer miles but paths taken when one follows one’s heart. So it’s no surprise that the Metropolitan Opera singer will perform two wayfarer song cycles, “Songs of Travel” and “On Wenlock Edge,” written by prolific English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, for a concert in his hometown of Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Transylvania University’s Carrick Theater. The concert is free and open to the public. The hour-long concert features the six-part song cycle “On Wenlock Edge” for voice, piano and string quartet and the world premiere of John Greer’s arrangement of “Songs of Travel,” a nine-part song cycle for voice and piano. There will be a brief intermission between the two compositions. “I wanted to do a recital of “On Wenlock Edge” because I love the piece,” said Turay. “It’s been a passion of mine since I performed it almost 20 years ago in Charleston, S.C., at the Spoleto Festival with Charles Wadsworth. And then John Greer, my accompanist, suggested the ‘Songs of Travel,’ as he had been working on an arrangement of them for piano and string quartet; it was a perfect marriage!” Turay’s journey into the opera world began in 1995 when he competed and won at the national level of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He was awarded a place in the opera’s Young Artist Development Program, which

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Transylvania to host Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Classic in June

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—The intense basketball rivalry between Kentucky and Indiana will electrify downtown Lexington June 13 when the Kentucky/Indiana All-Star Classic comes to Transylvania University’s beautiful Clive M. Beck Athletic and Recreation Center. Though the event—which matches the top boys and girls high school seniors in Kentucky against the best in Indiana, including the “Mr. and Miss Basketball” award winners—launched in 1940, 2014 will mark just the sixth time it will be held in Lexington and the first time since 1996. The Bluegrass Sports Commission (BSC) and the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation (KLEF) announced Jan. 29 that they had agreed to a three-year contract to bring the event to Lexington. WKYT-TV (Lexington) will televise the games live on the CW in Lexington and WYMT in Hazard. And plans call for syndicating a statewide network of TV stations to broadcast the games across the Commonwealth. “This is a very exciting announcement for us,” said Terry Johnson, executive director of the BSC. “We are honored to work with Transylvania, WKYT and others to host an event with such a rich history that supports the amazing work of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation.” Located on one of the nation’s most historic college campuses, Transylvania’s Beck Center is a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of downtown Lexington. It seats 1,200 in an intimate setting perfect for high-stakes basketball. Transylvania’s storied basketball program has used the facility for its NCAA Division III games since 2001. Free

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Pat Deacon honored for her lifelong commitment to women’s sports

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—When Pat Deacon was a student at the University of Kentucky in the 1950s, there were no intercollegiate sports programs for women, at least not as we know them today. Women who enjoyed athletic competition could participate in sports organized under the auspices of the Physical Education Department. There were no uniforms, no training facilities and no coaches. But there were occasional games against nearby colleges, and Deacon took advantage of the opportunity to play basketball and field hockey. It was not until the passage of Title IX in 1972 that women slowly began to have equal access to sports programs, sports funding and regular competition. That was the same year that Deacon arrived at Transylvania University, where she blazed the trail for women’s athletics until her retirement in 1999. During that period, Deacon served at various times as women’s athletics director, associate athletics director, women’s intramural sports director and physical education professor, in addition to her head coaching positions. She pioneered the modern era of women’s basketball at Transylvania, leading the team through 16 seasons and more than 150 wins. Over 29 seasons, her field hockey teams set the standard among Kentucky colleges, especially with their 98-55-3 record from 1979-88, when they won eight state championships in a row. Deacon was elected to Transylvania’s Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2000. And on Sunday, Feb. 2—National  Girls and Women in Sports Day—the University of Kentucky, where Deacon earned both

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Compelling entertainer Noah Griffin shares his journey of discovery

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—How did a Civil War regiment of African American soldiers shape the America of today? The multifaceted Noah Griffin—singer, performer, historian, poet, TV and radio personality, inspirational speaker, former political campaign aide, and graduate of Harvard Law School—will present “The Massachusetts 54th Regiment: Storming the Ramparts for Today’s America” at Transylvania University’s Carrick Theater in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was the first unit of African American soldiers to be recruited in the North to serve in the Civil War. Its history provides insight into the complexities of the nation during the Civil War and, according to Griffin, a better understanding of contemporary America. Griffin will speak about his personal search for “the most valiant regiment in the Civil War, which opened the door for black citizenship, the vote and the America of today where we have the first African American president.” Griffin’s life’s journey has come full circle. Gifted in song at an early age, but drawn to explore many of his other talents, Griffin realigned his priorities after a stroke and paralysis in later life compelled him to return to singing. Now he combines his art with his other gifts to inspire audiences to think about larger issues and to pursue “what you were intended to do in life…[to] live your dream.” Griffin’s lecture is

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Eleanor Clift to visit Transylvania as Woodrow Wilson Fellow

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Author and political commentator Eleanor Clift will be a guest at Transylvania University during the week of January 27, visiting classes and holding discussions with students. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m., she will present a public lecture titled “Everybody Loves to Hate Washington: Are They Right?” in the Campus Center. A book signing will follow. The event is free, and free parking is available in Transylvania lots along Fourth Street. The public and media also are welcome to join Clift immediately following her book signing for a viewing and discussion of President Obama’s State of the Union address, also in the Campus Center. President Obama is scheduled to address Congress and the nation at 9 p.m. “Eleanor Clift is a remarkable woman with an in-depth knowledge of national and international politics and an impressive personal history in the media,” said Transylvania psychology professor and event organizer Meg Upchurch. “We are delighted that she agreed to be this year’s Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. Her weeklong residency on campus will give members of the Transylvania community several opportunities to conduct in-depth discussions with her. We also look forward to people from Lexington and the surrounding area joining us for her public events.” The Hunter College graduate began her career as a secretary to Newsweek’s national affairs editor in New York. She was one of the first women at the magazine to move from secretary to reporter. During her career,

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