Charles L. Shearer Archives

Transylvania announces new president after in-depth national search

Posted on April 14, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—R. Owen Williams will be the next president of Transylvania University, William T. Young Jr., chairman of Transylvania’s Board of Trustees, announced this afternoon. He will become the 25th president of the 230-year-old liberal arts college when Charles L. Shearer retires on July 31. “Owen Williams was the presidential search committee’s unanimous choice from a sizeable pool of exceptionally qualified candidates,” said Young. “His educational background, his managerial experience, his ability to relate to people of differing backgrounds, his drive, curiosity and enthusiasm, and his dedication to an excellent liberal arts education are all factors that influenced our decision.” Young added that “Charles Shearer is leaving his successor with an exceptionally strong base from which to lead Transylvania to the next level of excellence as a national liberal arts institution.” Shearer said that Williams is an excellent choice and will bring many positive qualities to the university. “I’m confident he will continue to move Transylvania forward,” said Shearer. Williams, 58, earned an A.B. in philosophy from Dartmouth College, an M.A. in intellectual history from Cambridge University, a master’s of law from Yale Law School and a Ph.D. in history, specializing in nineteenth-century American history, from Yale University. “I could not be more honored to become the next president of Transylvania University,” said Williams. “Transylvania is an extraordinary liberal arts college and, as a historian, I am in awe of its rich history.” Williams said that “Charles Shearer has built

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Shearer to deliver Transylvania commencement address

Posted on April 8, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Charles L. Shearer, who recently announced his retirement from the presidency of Transylvania University after a record-setting 27-year tenure, will deliver the commencement address to the class of 2010 on the steps of Old Morrison on Saturday, May 29. Shearer, who will step down on June 30, is the longest-serving president at Kentucky’s oldest college, founded in 1780. During his tenure, the university has prospered in every measurable area, highlighted by a growth in enrollment from 655 to approximately 1,100, an increase in endowment from $32.8 million to more than $100 million, and the completion of nine new buildings, two athletics fields and four major renovation projects. Faculty and student quality have been enhanced under Shearer’s leadership through the creation of the Bingham Awards for Excellence in Teaching and expansion of the William T. Young Scholarship Program for entering first-year students. Shearer came to Transylvania in 1979 as vice president for finance and was named president in 1983 at the age of 40. He was previously director of operations and director of the Liberal Arts Program in Professional Management at Albion College in Michigan. Shearer, a native of Louisville, earned a B.S. in accounting and an M.A. in diplomacy and international commerce from the University of Kentucky. He completed an M.A. and Ph.D., both in economics, at Michigan State University.

Transylvania trustee issues challenge to alumni

Posted on March 29, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University consistently ranks in the top 15 colleges and universities nationwide for the percentage of alumni who give to their alma mater. An anonymous member of Transylvania’s Board of Trustees has challenged non-giving alumni to give, and alumni who already give to increase the amount of their gift, by promising to contribute $250,000 in matching funds. However, alumni have to contribute $250,000 in new and increased gifts by June 30, 2010, for the university to receive the $250,000 in matching funds. “We hope that all our alumni will take advantage of this opportunity to increase the value of their gift,” said Mark Blankenship ’81, acting vice president for alumni and development. The timing of the trustee’s challenge also creates an opportunity for alumni to demonstrate their appreciation for President Charles L. Shearer’s 31 years of service to Transylvania, including the last 27 as president. Shearer will retire at the end of June. “Dr. Shearer has worked tirelessly to help make a Transylvania education possible for all qualified students, regardless of family financial circumstances,” said Blankenship. “And, he has worked countless hours to strengthen the university in every way possible.” There are two components for the challenge. The donor will match the full amount of gifts made by alumni who have not contributed to the Transylvania Annual Fund since June 30, 2006, which would make a $50 gift a $100 gift. For alumni who have contributed since June 30,

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Transylvania wins AIKCU’s annual "Battle of the Bumpers" contest for second year in a row

Posted on March 1, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—With the help of alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends, Transylvania University is the winner in the 2009 Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) “Battle of the Bumpers,” taking the title for the second year in a row. The contest is an annual competition among the 20 AIKCU campuses to put the most campus license plates on Kentucky highways, and in turn raise the most money for student scholarships. To win, Transylvania supporters purchased or renewed 735 license plates. In 2008, Transy supporters purchased or renewed 689 license plates to help Transylvania top the AIKCU campus totals. The custom plates advertise allegiance to Transylvania while supporting current students; $10 from the sale of each plate is returned directly to Transy’s general scholarship fund. “I am impressed with the number of alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends who choose to show their Transylvania pride on their license plates,” said Transylvania President Charles L. Shearer. “In particular, the support of our loyal alumni has been remarkable.” The Kentucky Independent Higher Education series plates took to the roads in 2002. Each independent college and university had its own plate, but they all shared a common design theme. Thanks to advances in license plate printing technology and some changes in state regulations, AIKCU members were able to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to redesign their plates in late 2007. The new plates went on sale in January 2008.

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Transylvania University invites high school sophomores and juniors to Preview Day, Saturday, March 6

Posted on February 9, 2010July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University invites high school sophomores, juniors and their families to campus for Preview Day, Saturday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Clive M. Beck Athletic Center. Preview Day includes a welcome with President Charles L. Shearer, faculty presentations, an academic information fair, campus and residence hall tours, a student panel discussion and a complimentary lunch. Students and their parents will have the opportunity to talk with faculty members and current students about all aspects of life at Transylvania. For more information or to register for Preview Day, call Transylvania’s admissions office at (800) 872-6798 or (859) 233-8242, or visit www.transy.edu/admissions.