1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Commencement

Transylvania’s president of 25 years, Dr. Charles L. Shearer, profiled in Lexington Herald-Leader

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The Lexington Herald-Leader featured Transylvania University president Charles L. Shearer on the same day as the University’s Commencement. The article by reporter Art Jester profiled Shearer and his 25 years as president: In the nearly 25 years that Charles L. Shearer has been president of Transylvania University, the 228-year-old liberal arts college has grown stronger and better in every respect, largely due to him. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime president,” said William T. Young Jr., chairman of Transylvania’s board of trustees. “I don’t think most people realize Transylvania has been transformed under his leadership.” By any measurement — students, faculty, alumni, scholarships, geographical diversity, facilities or fund-raising — Transylvania is far different than it was in the troubled hour when Shearer took office on July 8, 1983. Transylvania had been through three presidents in three years. Shearer immediately restored stability and confidence, as well as ambition. Continue reading the full article

Transylvania awards 259 degrees to largest class in its history

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University awarded bachelor of arts degrees to 259 seniors, the largest graduating class in the 228-year-old school’s history. Transylvania President Charles L. Shearer conferred the diplomas on the steps of historic Old Morrison before a sun-drenched crowd of friends and family, faculty and trustees seated on the lawn. John Churchill, secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, gave the commencement address. He spoke on the role that education in the liberal arts and sciences plays in benefitting both the individual and society as a whole. “Engagement with the liberal arts and sciences fosters our abilities to use knowledge to make important decisions well,” Churchill said. “It also gives us responsibilities to make the world a better place.” He urged the graduates to look on their learning as a lifelong endeavor. “Never suppose that you have garnered enough knowledge, become skillful enough at deliberative thinking, or seen deeply enough into the meaning of things. There is no ‘enough.’” As secretary, Churchill is the chief executive officer and head of the national office of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honorary society. He received his undergraduate education and induction into Phi Beta Kappa at Rhodes College, studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and earned the Ph.D. from Yale University. Graduating senior Lucie Hartmann, a political science and psychology double major from Asheville, N.C., used the whimsical poetic style of a Dr. Seuss tale to compare the education

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Largest graduating class in Transylvania’s 228-year history will receive degrees Saturday, May 24

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—A record 259 seniors will receive the Bachelor of Arts degree during Transylvania’s Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m. in front of historic Old Morrison. (The rain location is the Clive M. Beck Center). The previous largest class was 257 in 2004. John Churchill, secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, will deliver the commencement address and graduating senior Lucienne Hartmann, a political science and psychology major with a women’s studies minor, will speak on behalf of the students. Churchill was educated at Rhodes College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, at Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar and at Yale University, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in 1978. Churchill was formerly vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Hendrix College, where he also served as professor of philosophy and twice as interim president. In the 1970s, he served as assistant American secretary to the Rhodes Scholarship Trust and has been active since that time in the selection of Rhodes scholars. His scholarly interests include the philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein and David Hume, as well as topics in the history of philosophy, the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of liberal education. He has published several dozen articles in these and related fields. Churchill’s professional activities have included membership on the Board of Directors of the American Conference of Academic Deans and the Arkansas Endowment for the

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Transylvania awards 238 bachelor of arts degrees to the class of 2007 on the steps of historic Old Morrison Saturday, May 26

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University awarded 238 bachelor of arts degrees on the steps of historic Old Morrison Saturday morning. Family and friends watched from the bright spring lawn as President Charles L. Shearer presented the degrees to the class that included a Fulbright Scholar, political science major Brian Epling, who has been awarded a prestigious English Teaching Assistantship in Korea. Co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana Inc, David A. Jones, delivered the Commencement address and spoke about the characteristics necessary for success. “Integrity, teamwork, clarity of purpose, high expectations and clear communication are the vital traits that will lead to high achievement,” he said. He told the graduates that life holds many joys for those who seek them. “Through friendship, shared effort, helping others, through unselfish love—all these paths lead to great joy, and it is my wish that each of you will follow these paths on your journey.” The well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic leader told the graduates, “You’re going to expand and put to exciting uses the base of knowledge and understanding developed here. You will undertake the necessary and often difficult tasks required of you and earn the joy of accomplishment.” He urged the graduating class to consider, “Who are you and where are you going?” a question this class has already considered. Sixty-five percent of this graduating class studied abroad while at Transy, including Mark A. Rouse, a history major from Lexington, who spoke during commencement on

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David Jones, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana, to give Transylvania’s commencement address Saturday, May 26

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—David A. Jones, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Humana Inc. and one of Kentucky’s best known entrepreneurs, philanthropists and civic leaders will deliver the commencement address at Transylvania University Saturday, May 26, at 10 a.m. Jones, a Transylvania trustee, will deliver his speech on the steps of historic Old Morrison to 237 graduating seniors and their families, faculty members and friends. In addition to his achievements in business, Jones is one of Louisville’s most active civic leaders. With backing from the Human Foundation, the human Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theater of Louisville had become a premiere national event for showcasing new theatrical talent. Jones has been a board member of the Greater Louisville Fund for the Arts and the Kentucky Center for the Arts. In 2004, he was presented the Milner Award, the most prestigious of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, for his personal commitment to the arts and their role in the economy, community and culture of Kentucky. He recently made a major commitment of time and recourses to the City of Parks, a long-term project to expand and connect Louisville’s extensive park system. At Transylvania Jones is a founding member of the Bingham Board of Trust, which oversees the Bingham Awards fro Excellence in Teaching program. Along with his wife, Betty, he helped to endow the David and Betty Jones Fund for Faculty Development in 1990. He and his family have supported virtually

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