Raymond “Randy” K. Cooper II ’77
Morrison Medallion
Raymond “Randy” Cooper has built a distinguished career in business and real estate development, complemented by decades of service to Transylvania University. Randy graduated with a B.A. in English in 1977, served as the social chair and vice president of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and played on the university’s tennis team.
Randy has served as president of The Myers Y. Cooper Company since 1987, continuing a four-generation legacy in real estate development and investment. In addition to his professional success, Randy has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement, offering his time and expertise to numerous nonprofit organizations and philanthropic initiatives throughout the Cincinnati region.
His service to Transylvania began in 2004 with his election to the Alumni Board, where he served for six years, including a term as president (2007–08). He subsequently joined the Board of Visitors and was later appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Board of Regents. In 2017, he was elected to the Board of Trustees, where he continues to play a vital role in university governance. Currently serving as vice chair of the Board of Trustees, he is a member of the Governance and Infrastructure Committees and chair of the Advancement Committee.
Randy’s commitment to Transy extends beyond his leadership roles. He has been instrumental in organizing and supporting events that strengthen the university’s connections with alumni and the community. His philanthropic contributions have provided meaningful support for Transylvania’s students and institutional priorities.
He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 48 years and are the proud parents of three children, including a 2006 Transylvania graduate.
Emily E. Neat ’20
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
From academics to community leadership, Emily has embraced opportunities to learn, mentor and give back. A William T. Young Scholar, she graduated from Transylvania in 2020 with a major in mathematics and a minor in studio art. During her time at Transy, she was deeply involved on campus. Emily served as an admissions ambassador, competed on the women’s golf and cheerleading teams and participated in several student organizations, including Circle K, College Republicans and the Transy Environmental Action League. She also represented her team as a four-year delegate on the Student Athlete Advisory Council and embraced the opportunity to study abroad at Florence University of Art in 2019.
Emily worked as a math peer tutor, a role that inspired her to establish Neat Tutoring Service after graduation, which provided academic support during the pandemic. She also gained experience in social media and marketing through an internship with the Lexington Art League in 2020.
Now based in Louisville, Emily is a compensation consultant at Mercer. She remains closely connected to Transylvania, serving on the Young Alumni Council since 2021 and leading the inaugural council-sponsored Service Week project in Louisville. Additionally, she is a volunteer leader for Transylvania’s Louisville Alumni Affinity Group and is a graduate of the Fund for the Arts NeXT leadership program.
Emily is proud to have completed the Camino de Santiago this spring and walked 250 km in 11 days from Porto, Portugal, to Santiago, Spain.
James “Win” W. Adkins Sr. ’65
Distinguished Achievement Award
James “Win” Adkins graduated from Transylvania in 1966 with a degree in business administration and a minor in history — two interests that would shape both his career and his lifelong engagement in civic and cultural life. In 1962, while he was a student, Win joined the Versailles Fire Department, where he has served continuously for over 60 years in roles ranging from deputy fire chief to his current position as safety officer. The Sons of the American Revolution awarded Win the Fire Safety Commendation Medal in 2024 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of fire safety and service.
Win enjoyed a 32-year career at Woodford Bank & Trust Company in Versailles, where he rose through the ranks from branch manager and loan officer to vice president. His professional accomplishments were matched by an extraordinary commitment to community leadership. He has held presidential roles in numerous local organizations, including the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Woodford County Fair Board, Bluegrass Railroad Museum and Bluegrass Railroad Club. He also chaired the Woodford County Community Chest and served on the boards of the Friends of the Woodford County Library and Woodford County Theatrical Arts.
A devoted historian and collector, Win and his wife Wanda have owned and operated the Nostalgia Station Toy and Train Museum in Versailles since 1987. The museum has been featured on Kentucky Educational Television and multiple regional media outlets. His passion for toy trains and antiques has also led to national involvement, including serving two terms each as treasurer and director of the Lionel Collectors Club of America and co-hosting national conventions in Lexington for both the LCCA and Antique Toy Collectors of America. Win’s military service — which began in 1966 — includes nine years in the Kentucky National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, where he completed Officer Candidate School and achieved the rank of first lieutenant.
Karen Borneman ’75
Distinguished Achievement Award
Dr. Karen Borneman has dedicated her career to providing compassionate medical care and educating future health care professionals. A native of Middletown, Ohio, she graduated from Transylvania in 1975 with high honors, having earned membership in the Holleian Society in 1974. She then completed her medical degree and residency in family medicine at the University of Kentucky.
Driven by a commitment to service, Karen joined the National Health Service Corps and worked at the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland. There, she balanced clinical care with teaching medical students and residents, ultimately serving as medical director until 1990. Her excellence in education was recognized with an Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award from Ohio University College of Medicine. She also held teaching roles at Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga County Community College.
In 1990, Karen transitioned to a full-time position at Cleveland State University’s health service, where she provided care and mentorship for 35 years. She was honored as the Free Clinic’s Volunteer of the Year in 2003 and named one of the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Community Heroes in 2010.
After retiring in 2024, she now enjoys running, reading and — at long last — sleeping in. She and her husband, Jim Young, a fellow health care advocate, married in 2018 on the 35th anniversary of their first date.
Jennifer A. Moore ’95
Distinguished Achievement Award
Jennifer Moore graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in history. As a student, she was a member of Tri Delta, president of the College Democrats and part of the Student Alumni Association. She studied literature at Oxford University in 1994 through Transy’s study abroad program and earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1998.
A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Jennifer founded Moore Law Group PLLC in Louisville in 2019. She represents individuals and families harmed by dangerous products, medical negligence, nursing home abuse and major accidents. Her most high-profile case involved the weed killer Roundup, where she won an $80 million verdict against Monsanto — the only such federal trial — and helped secure over $10 billion in settlements for victims nationwide.
Jennifer is active in the American Association for Justice, serving on the Board of Governors and several litigation leadership councils. She is also licensed in both Kentucky and California and remains involved with numerous legal associations, including the Kentucky Justice Association, which she served as co-founder of its Women Lawyers Caucus.
Her dedication to public service includes serving as chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party (2007–09) and founding Emerge Kentucky, a nonprofit training women to run for office. She currently serves on the boards of AAJ, KJA and Emerge Kentucky (chair emeritus) and is a member of the Kentucky Supreme Court Rules Committee.
Jennifer has received numerous honors, including Transylvania’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2010), UK Law’s Professional Achievement Award (2020) and making Kentucky Monthly’s “Top 25 Women Attorneys” list.
She recently endowed a scholarship at Transylvania to support future generations of students.
Marshall “Tyler” Murphy ’10
Distinguished Achievement Award
As both an educator and public servant, Tyler Murphy is dedicated to strengthening Kentucky’s schools and communities. A native of Flatwoods, Kentucky, he graduated from Transylvania in 2010 with a degree in political science. While at Transy, he was a William T. Young Scholar, an active member of the speech and debate team and involved in the Student Government Association. He continues to support the university as a mentor in the 100 Doors to Success program.
Tyler is a National Board Certified Teacher at Boyle County High School, where he teaches AP U.S. Government, AP World History and AP Human Geography. As coach of the academic team, he also loves to share a love of learning and competition with his students. In 2018, he was elected to the Fayette County Board of Education as its only current classroom educator and now serves as its chair.
His leadership extends beyond the district level. Tyler represents Kentucky on the National Education Association Board of Directors, which shapes education policy nationwide. Each summer, he acts as an associate campus director with the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program. Through his work in the classroom and in policy, Tyler is committed to expanding opportunities for students and ensuring a strong future for public education.
Ana C. Reyes ’96
Distinguished Achievement Award
Ana C. Reyes’ journey from Transylvania to the federal bench reflects a lifelong dedication to leadership, advocacy, and the law. Born in Uruguay and raised in Louisville, Ana was a William T. Young Scholar, student-athlete and member of the Tri Delta sorority and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary. She graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in Political Science and earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2000 and an MIPP from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in 2014. Ana served on Transylvania’s Board of Regents from 2012-15. Additionally, she was admitted to the bar in the United States and listed on the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales, and she is an accomplished legal scholar who has co-taught courses at Yale Law School and Georgetown University Law Center. In 2017, the Women’s Bar Association of D.C. recognized her as Woman Lawyer of the Year.
In February 2023, Ana was appointed as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. Before joining the bench, she spent 22 years at Williams & Connolly after clerking for Judge Amalya L. Kearse on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Her legal career focused on international litigation, and she was deeply committed to pro bono work, particularly in assisting refugees.
With an extraordinary legal career and a passion for justice, Ana continues to make a profound impact on the legal profession and beyond.
Shericka D. Smith ’05
Distinguished Achievement Award
Shericka Smith has devoted her career to supporting students and families in Fayette County and beyond. A Lexington native, she earned her B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature in 2005 from Transylvania before pursuing a Master’s in School Social Work from the University of Louisville. In 2022, she completed her Doctor of Social Work at the University of Kentucky; her research focused on childhood trauma and the systemic lack of mental health resources for Black families.
In 2020, she expanded her impact by co-founding Wellness Within, a private practice providing therapy services to individuals of all ages. Currently, Shericka serves as the mental health coordinator for Fayette County Public Schools.
Her dedication to service extends into numerous leadership roles. A graduate of Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Lexington program, she serves as a part-time instructor for the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work and remains actively engaged with both of her alma maters. Shericka is a member of UK’s Social Work Alumni Association and Transylvania’s Board of Regents. Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award and the Spirit of Ivy Award.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shericka cherishes time with her family — including her beloved dogs, Ellie and Andy. She also enjoys reading, traveling and watching documentaries.
Colene H. Elridge ’05
Distinguished Service Award
Colene Elridge has built a career — and a company — around the belief that people work better when they work together. As the founder and CEO of Be More Consulting, she partners with organizations to strengthen workplace culture, develop effective leaders and foster high-performing teams. Her multifaceted approach is matched by a deep passion for the arts, community service and continuous personal growth.
While at Transy, Colene majored in anthropology and was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi. She often credits professors Barbara LoMonaco, Gary Deaton and Don Dugi for encouraging her to think critically and approach complexity with empathy and curiosity.
A proud Transy alumna, Colene has generously given her time and expertise to her alma mater. She has served on the Board of Regents since 2018, including two years as chair, and contributed to Transy’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Entrepreneurship Center Task Force. Her spirit of service extends into the broader Lexington community, where she is an active member of the Junior League (currently serving on its board) and an adviser to organizations like Step-by-Step.
She considers the launch and success of Be More Consulting as one of her proudest accomplishments, along with the enduring friendships she built at Transylvania. For Colene, her years at Transy were more than formative — they were foundational to the purpose-driven life and career she leads today.
Hannah Goodman Goodlett ’10
Distinguished Service Award
Hannah Goodman Goodlett graduated from Transylvania in 2010 with a degree in studio art. As a student, she interned at BloodHorse Magazine, where several of her photographs were published in print and online. In 2009, she traveled to Africa to pursue her passion for wildlife photography — two of her photos from that trip were later auctioned at Art in Bloom, the University of Kentucky Art Museum’s premier fundraiser.
Hannah has championed the arts throughout her life, including as a strong supporter of fine arts at Transylvania. After graduating, she worked with the nonprofit Wildlands Network and has remained involved in conservation and philanthropic work. Her interests span travel, photography, wildlife and music.
She served on Transylvania’s Board of Regents from 2017-23, contributing to the Advancement Committee and the New Markets Task Force. In 2023, she was elected to the university’s Board of Trustees. Beyond Transylvania, Hannah serves on the boards of HGG and Children, Sayre School and the Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation. At Sayre, she is also a member of the Friends of the Arts, an organization that promotes arts education as a vital part of student development.
Hannah and her husband, Will — who studied theater at Transylvania and served in the U.S. Marine Corps — live in Lexington with their son, James Robert Goodlett.
Brian D. Lane ’90
Distinguished Service Award
Brian Lane’s connection to Transylvania began long before his own college years. His childhood was filled with visits to campus alongside his father, legendary Coach Don Lane, who joined the Transy staff in 1975. Brian went on to graduate in 1990 with a degree in business management and earned his Master’s in Education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1991.
He launched his coaching career at Transy and gained valuable experience as an assistant coach at UNC Charlotte, the University of South Carolina, NC State and Florida Atlantic. In 1999, he returned to Kentucky to join the staff at Morehead State University. Two years later, Brian came full circle — returning to his alma mater to become head coach of men’s basketball, proudly continuing the Lane family legacy.
As we celebrate 50 years of the Lanes at Transylvania, Brian is recognized not only for his coaching accomplishments in basketball and men’s golf, but also for his unwavering commitment to the university community. He is a tireless ambassador for Transy, enthusiastically promoting alumni events, fundraising efforts like Together for Transy and the achievements of students.
Brian’s dedication to the university shines both on and off the court. Whether mentoring students, cheering on his fellow Pioneers or helping reconnect alumni, he is one of Transy’s most enthusiastic and engaged champions.
Brian and his wife, Andrea — also a 1990 Transylvania graduate — are proud parents of three children: Lydia, Harrison ’20 and Henry.
Marc A. Mathews ’80
Distinguished Service Award
Marc Mathews has spent decades advancing higher education and civic life in Kentucky. A 1980 graduate of Transylvania, Marc earned a B.A. in Accounting and was a standout student leader — named Mr. Pioneer and Greek Man of the Year — and active in the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa honorary society. He completed a master’s in accounting at the University of Kentucky in 2003.
After 18 years in public accounting, Marc served the University of Kentucky before returning to Transylvania in 2009 as vice president for finance and business. Until his retirement in 2021, he played a key role in stewarding the university’s financialhealth while also championing student-focused initiatives — from financial literacy programs to handwritten notes for admitted students.
Marc’s service to Transylvania extends far beyond his tenure as an administrator. He has been an engaged alumnus across decades, having served multiple terms on the Alumni Board and reunion committees and mentored students through the 100 Doors program. He was instrumental in launching the Greek Alumni Councils and has opened his home for countless alumni gatherings with his wife, Gwen Williamson Mathews ’88.
A dedicated community leader, Marc has served on numerous Lexington-area boards, including LexArts, the International Book Project, Bank of the Bluegrass and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Airport. He is a graduate of Leadership Lexington and Leadership Kentucky and has held national leadership roles with Omicron Delta Kappa and Delta Sigma Phi.
After retiring from Transylvania, Marc worked as a financial consultant with NACUBO Consulting and took an interest in real estate. He and Gwen are the proud parents of two adult children.
Donald “Britt” Reynolds ’85
Distinguished Service Award
A Lexington native and graduate of Bryan Station High School, Donald “Britt” Reynolds came to Transylvania on a small academic scholarship and made the most of his time on campus. While earning his degree in economics, he immersed himself in student life — singing in the choir, joining Phi Kappa Tau and serving three years as a resident assistant, including as head RA his senior year. That early commitment to student engagement inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in higher education administration at NYU, where he continued his passion for campus life through fellowships in residence life, student activities and undergraduate admissions.
Britt built a 30-year career at the University of Maryland, where he consistently sought ways to serve students beyond his primary role. He taught a new student orientation course for a decade and advised the admissions tour guides, all on a volunteer basis. His service extended beyond higher education as well — such as being on the Board of Trustees for the Edmund Burke School in Washington, D.C., from 2012-18, including two years as chair.
Since 2019, Britt has been a dedicated member of Transylvania’s Board of Regents and the Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. In 2024, he established two endowments in memory of his late wife and fellow alumna, Cathy Creech ’84: the Catherine Lynn Creech Family Scholarship and the Catherine Creech/Don Dugi Pre-Law Society Endowment.
Later this year, Britt will travel to Kenya with Kenya Connect, an organization that partners with rural schools to help students thrive beyond graduation. His enduring commitment to education and service is a reflection of the values first nurtured at Transylvania.