Commencement Archives

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

Posted on May 26, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

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

Posted on May 24, 2007July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

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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Transylvania alumna receives prestigious OAK award

Posted on September 21, 2006July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.―Karen Kaye Caldwell, a 1977 graduate of Transylvania University and U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, hasbeen honored by the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education with its Outstanding Alumnus of Kentucky Award (OAK). OAK awards are presented to outstanding alumni of Kentucky colleges and universities who have gained national recognition in their profession or through their civic endeavors and have shown a continuing commitment to their alma maters. Caldwell, a Lexington resident and a native of Lincoln County, was named Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 1987. In 1991, at age 35, she became the first woman in Kentucky—and the youngest woman in the nation—to serve as a U.S. attorney when she was named to that position for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In that role, she earned a reputation for fighting public corruption when she led several investigations that resulted in the successful prosecution of state officials. She was recognized by the Department of Justice for her efforts in the investigation. Caldwell returned to private practice in 1993 specializing in civil and criminal litigation at one of Kentucky’s leading firms. Due to her quality work and reputation for successfully fighting public corruption, President George W. Bush nominated her to the federal bench in 2001. She was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky where she continues to serve today. “As

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