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Students honored at annual University Awards ceremony

Posted on May 12, 2008July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania recently honored students for their academic achievements and campus involvement during its annual University Awards ceremony. The award recipients are: Student Activities Board Member of the Year: Adam Littrell Student Activities Board Service Award: Jennifer Kirk, Laura Lawless, Betsey Pigg, Amanda Todd and Rebecca Williams. Student Government Association Senator of the Year: Tyler Murphy Student Government Association Service Award: Sarah Billiter, Elizabeth Combs, Kyle Libra, Meg Phillips and Francesca Pribble. Judicial Board Service Award: Neil Barry, Jessica Brown, Elizabeth Doan, Spencer Hamilton, Lucienne Hartmann, Meg Phillips and Charlene Rubio. Crimson Crew Member of the Year: Christina Walker Omicron Delta Kappa Leader of the Year: Meg Phillips Omicron Delta Kappa Recognition: Sarah Billiter, Megan Blandford, George Botsko, Melinda Braun, Molly Burchett, Elizabeth Combs, Brittny Congleton, Monica Hagan, Sarah Harcourt, Shane McGuire, Lucas Phillips, Jessica Rickard, Jessica Sullivan, Courtney Williams, Ryan Wood and Mark Anthony Zanni. Order of Omega Recognition: Olivia Bentley, Sarah Billiter, Stephanie Christopher, Elizabeth Combs, Lauren Covert, Katherine Davis, Holly Gilbert, Allison Keskey, Shane McGuire, James Rice, Jessica Rickard, Bo Ryser, Sarah Tackett, Josh Wenta, Courtney Williams, Rachel Williams and Mark Anthony Zanni. Alpha Omicron Pi Mary Breckenridge Cup: Delta Delta Delta Phi Kappa Tau Hendrick Cup: Phi Mu Excellence in Programming Award: Courtney Wilson Student Alumni Association Member of the Year: Chelsea Kelley Student Alumni Association Scholarships: Rebecca Honaker and Ann Marie Killingbeck. Chi Omega Mary Collis Vance Award: Paul Kevin Wells Delta Delta Delta First

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Transylvania’s theater and music programs present Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece “Carousel”; opens May 15 for three night run

Posted on May 6, 2008July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Selected “Best Musical of the 20th Century,” by TIME magazine, “Carousel” is the enduring effort to overcome prejudice, greed, and self-doubt. Transylvania’s theater and music programs’ production features 26 students in the classic roles and another 17 in the orchestra conducted by music professor Ben Hawkins. The beloved classic runs Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium. Tickets are $10. Written in 1945, “Carousel” was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s second collaboration, following “Oklahoma!” in 1943. With an overture that is visually evocative as well as musically exciting, a love duet between two characters who never admit they are in love with each other and the suicide of a main character who is later seen in Heaven, “Carousel” has a strong set of real characters, a fast-paced plot and a powerful theme of forgiveness and redemption through genuine caring and love. The lyrics suggest a specific time and place, and Transylvania’s sets, costumes and lights echo that New England atmosphere while also giving the production a transcendent and surreal mood. “The basic concept I’ve been following in directing the musical is the need to find some balance between rigid conformity and absolute independence,” said director and drama professor Tim Soulis. “There is much in the script to suggest that those who only conform to societal expectations are just as lost as those who seek total freedom. A carousel is fun, but also predictable and you

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Transylvania honors two professors and six alums with Distinguished Service and Achievement Awards during Alumni Weekend

Posted on April 30, 2008July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—During Transylvania’s recent Alumni Weekend celebration, long-time professors James Miller and Richard Thompson and alumnae Betty Scrivner Lollis ‘58 and Sarah Wyatt ‘58 received the University’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to Transylvania, and four alums—William Christopher Hobgood ‘58, Lee Rose ‘58, Robert P. Dillard ‘63 and Carla Roberts Whaley ‘83—received the Distinguished Achievement Award for excellence in their profession or community service. James Miller, professor of computer science, has been a member of the Transy faculty for 42 years and was honored for his unfaltering commitment to the students and alumni and for his service to the community. Since 1992, Miller has helped coordinate Immanuel Baptist Church’s annual construction of a Habitat for Humanity house. He also has served on the boards of the Living Arts and Science Center, Central Baptist Hospital and the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation. Richard Thompson, in his dual role at Transylvania as a professor of sociology and as a dean of students, has had great influence on the lives of hundreds of students. He has also has left a mark on the Lexington community, serving with the Episcopal Diocese AIDS Ministry and as a member of the Institutional Research Committee at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. Betty Scrivner Lollis’ service to Transylvania has taken various shapes and forms. She has served Transylvania as director of alumni and parent programs, president of the Alumni Executive Board, coordinator of the Thomas Jefferson Scholars Program,

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Samuel G. Barnes, Mary Lou Dietrich Harmon, Brian Clark Wood, Charles L. Shearer and Susan P. Shearer receive top honors at Transylvania’s alumni weekend awards ceremony

Posted on April 29, 2008July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania bestowed its top awards to distinguished alumni and friends during the university’s annual alumni weekend awards luncheon on April 26. Samuel G. Barnes, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Central Kentucky, received the Irvin E. Lunger Award, which is presented to a non graduate for unique and exceptional service to Transylvania; Mary Lou Dietrich Harmon, an activist for peace, justice and nonviolence, received the Morrison Medallion, which is presented to a graduate for outstanding service to Transylvania and its programs; Brian Clark Wood, president and chief executive officer of BC Wood Properties, received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for extraordinary involvement at Transylvania, and President Charles L. Shearer and his wife Susan were both surprised with a Transylvania Medal for outstanding service to the university. Barnes joined Transylvania’s board of trustees in 1995, and over the last 13 years, has freely shared his time and expertise as a member of the board’s student life committee and finance committee. He has generously supported Transylvania’s 225th Anniversary Campaign, the Clive M. Beck Athletic and Recreation Center and the Shearer Art Building. The list of Central Kentucky charitable organizations that Barnes has served is extensive and includes the board of directors of the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Bluegrass Community Foundation, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Lexington Philharmonic Foundation, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Lexington Corporation and Commerce Lexington. Harmon graduated from Transylvania in 1956 with majors in history and political science.

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Update on the status of Transylvania honor student and Sudanese refugee Lino Nakwa, who is facing deportation

Posted on April 18, 2008July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—U.S. Representative John Yarmuth’s office has confirmed that the office of Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff will review the case file of Transylvania honor student and Sudanese refugee Lino Nakwa. Nakwa is facing deportation to Sudan on an immigration technicality. In 1992, 12-year-old Nakwa and his older brother were kidnapped by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, a rebel terrorist group that murdered his father. For a month, Nakwa and his brother were held by the SPLA before making their escape. In 2003, Lino and four younger siblings were granted refugee status and immigrated to Louisville. Nakwa worked full-time at UPS to support his younger siblings while attending classes at Jefferson Community College as a full-time student. He graduated with distinction and entered Transylvania last fall as a junior where he works two campus jobs and was named to the dean’s list. Though his records show that he was kidnapped by the SPLA and held there against his will, the United States government is now denying Nakwa’s request for a green card because it says he received “military-type training” (as a 12-year-old) while being held by the rebel group. Nakwa’s older brother lives in the United Kingdom and also faces possible deportation. Nakwa’s younger siblings all have green cards, because they were never kidnapped by the SPLA. One of his younger brothers is on a soccer scholarship at Xavier University and a sister was a Governor’s Scholar. Letters of

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