Archives

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University junior Jessica Beard has been selected to be an intern in Frankfort, working at least 30 hours a week for a member of the Kentucky General Assembly through the 2010 Frankfort Semester Legislative Internship Program. Beard, a political science major from Albany, Ky., will be responding to constituent inquiries, assisting in the crafting and passage of legislation and performing other duties integral to the legislative process. In addition, she will take two upper division seminar courses focusing on state government, legislative history and research. The internship program is an initiative of the Association of Independent Kentucky College and Universities (AIKCU), a group made up of the 20 nonprofit, independent colleges and universities in Kentucky. This is the 10th year of the program, whose aim is to enhance students’ academic, civic and professional skills through the internship experience. “After graduation from law school, I plan to become actively involved in Kentucky government, and this experience with the AIKCU program will provide me with both the knowledge and connections that are essential aspects of being a successful member of government,” said Beard. In even-numbered years, interns work directly for members of the general assembly, while in odd years they serve in a variety of state government agencies. Juniors, seniors and graduate students in good standing and attending one of AIKCU’s member institutions are eligible to apply for the internship. The program begins in January and runs through mid-April.

Olson, far right, with members of Transy Boys A Cappella (TBA). LEXINGTON, Ky.—Kristofer Olson wants to make one thing clear—this isn’t your grandfather’s barbershop quartet. “The popular misconception is that barbershop harmony is sung only by old guys in straw hats and striped jackets,” Olson says. “The fact of the matter is, there is such an exciting and growing youth population in barbershop.” Take Olson, for instance, a senior music major at Transylvania, who proudly claims to be “a 22-year-old guy who loves barbershop quartets.” His love led him to attend a weeklong set of master classes this past summer through Harmony University, a series taught by the best people in the barbershop business – the best quartets, solo singers, and directors.A place where, Olson emphasizes, “you will not see a straw hat anywhere.” The program, sponsored by the Barbershop Harmony Society, took place in St. Joseph, Mo., from July 26 to August 2, and was an opportunity for burgeoning barbershop singers to hone their craft alongside peers from more than seven countries. The overall experience was what Olson calls, “one of the most fun and intense weeks I’ve had as a singer.” He particularly relished the ability to not only learn from genre masters, but apply his new a cappella knowledge to his other focuses in his major. “I can think of few other fields where this is possible,” he said. Among the classes Olson took were “Elements of

Read “Transylvania student learns from barbershop quartet greats, brings knowledge back to campus organization”