R. Owen Williams Archives

Transylvania’s 2012 entering class is second largest in school history, sets records for diversity; retention rate is highest ever

Posted on October 4, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University President R. Owen Williams announced today that this year’s entering class of 350 is the second largest in school history, tied last year’s class as the most academically prepared and set school records for geographic and racial/ethnic diversity. Transylvania also set a new school record for freshman to sophomore retention, with 88 percent of last year’s entering class returning this fall. The national average for freshman to sophomore retention rates at private, nonprofit colleges is 79 percent, according to the College Board. Total enrollment is 1,074 students. Transylvania’s high retention rate can be attributed to many factors, including a student/faculty ratio of 11:1 and an average class size of 14, with no classes having more than 35 students and 47 percent of classes having fewer than 10 students. Members of the class of 2016 have an average ACT of 27, a middle 50 percent ACT range of 24-30 and an average GPA of 3.72. Forty-one percent were ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class. They include 34 students who took part in either the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program or the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. Geographically, the class is the most diverse in 38 years and includes 99 students from outside Kentucky who make up 28 percent of the class. Ohio led the way in out-of-state students, followed by Tennessee, Indiana and three states in a tie—Florida, Texas and West Virginia. Twelve

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Transylvania University receives $5 million grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust to establish merit scholarship program

Posted on October 1, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—President R. Owen Williams announced today that Transylvania University has received a $5 million restricted endowment matching grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust to establish the William R. Kenan, Jr. Endowment Fund for Student Scholarships. It is one of the largest single gifts the university has ever received. The endowment supports the awarding of Kenan Scholarships to incoming Transylvania students based on merit. The awards will provide substantial scholarships to highly academically talented students. Members of the fall 2013 entering class will be the first to receive the scholarships. “This new scholarship program is a significant addition to the group of merit scholarships that we are able to offer outstanding students from across the country,” said Williams. “We appreciate very much the generosity of the trustees of the Kenan Charitable Trust in making this award and for their belief in the value of a Transylvania liberal arts education.” The conditions of the grant require that Transylvania raise an additional $5 million over the next three years to fully establish the endowment. Transylvania, founded in 1780, is the nation’s 16th oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently ranked in national publications as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Read the Lexington Herald-Leader story about the grant.

Transylvania University moves up six places in U.S. News & World Report rankings, makes Great Schools at Great Prices list

Posted on September 12, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University moved up six places—from 81 to 75—in the 2013 U.S. News & World Report college rankings released today while also being named to the publication’s Great Schools at Great Prices list. It is Transylvania’s highest ever ranking since becoming a part of the national liberal arts colleges category. In its Best Colleges 2013 guidebook, U.S. News ranks 251 national liberal arts colleges and universities in statistical measures such as student graduation and retention rates, financial resources, commitment to instruction, class size, faculty pay, student selectivity and alumni giving, as well as a subjective measure of academic reputation. The Great Schools at Great Prices list recognizes colleges and universities for the value of the educational experience they provide in relation to the cost of obtaining a degree. Transylvania’s tuition and fees fall below the national average for comparable private liberal arts colleges. “This latest national recognition of the high quality liberal arts studies that Transylvania offers its students is very gratifying to our entire campus community,” said President R. Owen Williams. “Everyone who is a part of this historic university is committed to excellence, and our students reap the benefits of that devotion. This ranking is a testament to the hard work of students, faculty, and staff members.” Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions, said inclusion in the Great Schools at Great Prices list confirms the university’s philosophy of making private higher education affordable

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Transylvania presents first-year students with symbols of commitment

Posted on August 15, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.— During the August 11 induction ceremony for Transylvania’s class of 2016, President R. Owen Williams presented each first-year student with a large, gold commemorative coin inscribed with the university’s motto: In Lumine illo Tradimus Lumen (“In that light, we pass on the light”). As Michael Covert, associate vice president for retention and associate dean of students, explained, “We believe that the education that Transylvania students receive yields enlightened individuals. Each generation of Pioneers benefits from the light of those who came before, and in turn offers the same to those following behind.” The other side of the coin is inscribed with a quote from poet Emily Dickinson: “I dwell in Possibility.” Students were charged with keeping the coin in a safe place during their four-year tenure at Transylvania. As they prepare for graduation in the spring of 2016, the students will be asked to present their coin to someone who played a significant role in helping them graduate. Covert emphasized that this will likely not be an easy decision, and students should consider the recipient carefully. Judging by the reactions on social media, students embraced this new tradition and the tangible reminder of the university’s and the students’ goals. The coin is a symbol of the unlimited possibilities of each student and the unwavering dedication of the faculty and staff. With the exchange of this token, there is every expectation that these students will indeed “pass on the

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Billips named associate dean for first-year academic programs, advising

Posted on June 26, 2012July 14, 2020 by Office of Marketing and Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.—President R. Owen Williams has announced that English professor Martha Billips has been named associate dean for first-year academic programs and advising, effective August 1. Billips taught in the Foundations of the Liberal Arts program for first-year students from 1997-2012 and directed the program from 2001-12. She has also served as humanities division chair. “This new role is an excellent fit for Martha,” said President R. Owen Williams. “In many important ways, she has already contributed enormously to the way we educate first-year students at Transylvania. Through her 15 years of experience with our former FLA program, she gained a keen understanding of the critical transition that first-year students make in adjusting to the rigors of college-level academics. That background will serve her well as she works to support our first-year students in their liberal arts studies at Transylvania.” Billips looks forward to the challenges of her new role and feels the timing is especially significant. “With the advent of August term and the creation of our First-Year Seminar program, we can provide our students with a distinctive, challenging and multi-disciplinary first-year curriculum,” she said. “This will prepare them well for the rest of their educational experience at Transylvania. I look forward to playing an important role in this initiative.” Billips will remain a tenured member of the faculty, assume her rank as professor of English and teach at least one course per year. She came to Transylvania in

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