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2025 Alumni Award Recipients

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.

2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Jan Allinder Anestis ’67
Morrison Medallion

Jan Allinder Anestis graduated from Transylvania in 1967 with a degree in elementary education, and she earned a master’s degree from New York University. As an educator, Jan taught a wide range of students, including individuals in residential mental health facilities. A lifelong educator, she spent much of her time advocating for children, including her own.

While raising her children, Jan volunteered for a number of civic positions on town boards and was active in her parent-teacher organization. In the mid 1980s, she was elected as a write-in candidate to the nonpartisan Weston, Connecticut, Board of Education. She served on the board for eight years.

Over the years, Jan’s love of writing led to opportunities as a columnist for the Weston Forum, a blog author and, most recently, a novelist and co-author with classmates Wanda Cole, Bill McDonald and others.

A dedicated and longtime supporter of Transylvania, Jan has represented the Class of 1967 for many years, as a reunion gift chair and class agent. She served on the Transylvania Alumni Board from 2007-12 and on the Board of Regents from 2017-23. Jan’s support includes her work as a Together for Transy giving day challenge donor to support diversity and equity initiatives and the student food pantry, as well as playing an important role in generating interest for two endowed scholarships. One of these funds memorialized a Transy friend’s late daughter, and the other served to honor her graduating class.

Brittany Horsley Lauder ’14
Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Originally from Bardstown, Kentucky, Brittany Horsley Lauder graduated from Transylvania in 2014 with a B.A in psychology. She earned a B.S in nursing from Spalding University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing practice at the University of Alabama. She works as an acute care registered nurse in Florida and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing.

An active member of Transylvania’s Alpha Omicron Pi chapter during college, Brittany’s service to Transylvania includes several terms on the Young Alumni Council from 2014-21. She chaired the council’s admissions committee and nominating committee before serving as president in 2019-20 and is actively involved each year in the Together for Transy annual day of giving.

A mentor for the 100 Doors to Success program since 2019, Brittany was elected to the Board of Regents in 2021.

Danielle Tharp Clore ’94
Distinguished Achievement Award

Born in Bardstown and spending her middle and high school years in Pineville, Danielle Tharp Clore was able to attend Transylvania thanks to the John R. Bryden Appalachian Scholarship. She graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and received her master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management from the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration in 1998.

Danielle’s career in the nonprofit sector began with a part-time job while a student at Transy. Various leadership positions including at Commonwealth Fund for KET, Eastern Kentucky University, Special Olympics Kentucky and Christian Care Communities, helped her identify nonprofits’ need for management resources and a unified public policy voice. She founded what is now known as the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, a state association of charitable nonprofits, in 2002.

Danielle was selected in 2017 by Women Leading Kentucky as a recipient of the Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award and was a 2015 finalist for the Excellence in Advocacy Award by the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, Washington, D.C. She was recognized by the Lane Report as a Top Woman in Business in 2019 and by the Kentucky Gazette as a 2020 Notable Woman in Kentucky Politics and Government.

Lisbon Davis Hardy ’79
Distinguished Achievement Award

Lisbon Davis Hardy graduated with honors and a B.A. in economics before embarking on a successful career in banking. While at Transylvania, she was active in the Student Government Association, the swim team and was president of Delta Delta Delta. That involvement continued after graduation as she has served on all of her five-year reunion planning committees, as a member of the Alumni Board from 1991-97 and as president of the Alumni Board from 1995-96.

Her 43-year career in banking included senior leadership positions at Liberty National, Farmers Bank & Capital Trust, United Bank & Capital Trust and WesBanco. She also served as president of the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce, as a Kentucky Historical Society executive board member and on the Kentucky State Police promotional board, as well as with numerous other boards and organizations. Lisbon was involved at the local, state and national level with the American Diabetes Association and worked locally with the United Way and as the inaugural board chair for CASA-I.

Amit B. Patel ’99
Distinguished Achievement Award

A Transylvania Scholar, Amit was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. After graduating from Transylvania with a B.A. in biology, Amit Patel received a degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed a residency in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago.

Amit is double-board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. He is an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine.

Amit participated in research for a novel cardio-thoracic surgical device in 2017 and was named one of the 10 best plastic surgeons in 2018 by the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons. In 2020, Amit was recognized as the Maverick Program Award Recipient at the Miami Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology Conference.

Mary Rankin ’74
Distinguished Achievement Award

Mary Rankin graduated from Transylvania with a degree in business administration and worked in the field, including seven years in manufacturing management at Belden Corporation, until earning an MBA from Vanderbilt in 1983.

Shortly after, she joined General Electric and had a varied 32-year career with roles in manufacturing, marketing, customer service, quality and materials management. She also managed intellectual property and licensing technology to manufacturers outside the United States before retiring from General Electric in 2016.

Erwin Roberts ’94
Distinguished Achievement Award

A native of Meade County, Kentucky, Erwin graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in history, then earned a law degree at the University of Kentucky in 1997. A former Transy basketball standout, he started his law career in the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

He has served as the assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky since September 2023 (and from 1999-2004). His career also included several years in state government as the executive director of the state Office of Homeland Security and deputy secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, followed by Personnel Cabinet secretary. Afterward, he spent 16 years in private practice at Frost Brown Todd in Louisville and then on his own before joining the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Jefferson County for six years. Erwin retired as a lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps in December 2023 after 23 years of service.

Erwin served on Transylvania’s Alumni Board from 2001-04 and the Board of Trustees from 2010-13. He has also been active in numerous community-based organizations, such as the Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court, Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the Norton Healthcare Board of Trustees.

Liz Phearson Fulkerson ’84
Distinguished Service Award

Liz Phearson Fulkerson began her career in banking following graduation from Transylvania. She spent 17 years in retail lending and branch management before stepping into the accounting field. After 16 years working with small businesses, Liz returned to Transylvania, retiring in 2022 as a senior accountant.

While working on campus, Liz also volunteered in a number of ways: with the VITA tax preparation assistance program, on the Staff Engagement Team, as a 100 Doors mentor, a reunion committee member and at events such as PumpkinMania, scholarship interviews and Move-In Day. Liz has also been a member of the Transylvania Women’s Club since 2013.

Ashley Willoughby King ’09
Distinguished Service Award

A native and resident of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Ashley King is the associate registrar at Transylvania. Ashley graduated with a degree in business administration (hospitality track) and a minor in communications. What started as a work-study position during college has turned into a 15-year career guiding students enrolled at her alma mater. Ashley is also a mentor with the 100 Doors to Success program.

An active member at the First Church of God, Ashley volunteers frequently in the church as well as at Ella’s Outreach, a food pantry in Mount Sterling. She is vice president of the Mapleton Elementary PTO, having previously served two years as president.

Dexter Meyer ’69
Distinguished Service Award

A member of both the Transylvania Choir and Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Dexter Meyer graduated in 1969 with a B.A. in teaching history, later earning a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

Dexter started teaching for Fayette County Public Schools after graduating from Transylvania. From 1980-82 he was the president of the Fayette County Education Association. In 1984, Dexter took over as the director of communications of Colorado’s Jefferson County Education Association-CEA/NEA, the largest teacher union in the state. While in Colorado, Dexter created the Helping Kids Thrive program, which empowers parents to help their children make good choices. He was instrumental in establishing the Good New Breakfast coalition, a program that celebrates the good that’s happening and positive outcomes within Jefferson County, Colorado, each year.

He retired to Fort Myers, Florida, where he served as president of the Downtown Fort Myers Neighborhood Association.

Dexter has remained involved with Transylvania through the decades. He served as president of the Alumni Board and was part of the university’s Bicentennial Planning Committee in 1980. He has actively participated in the planning of every five-year reunion for the class of 1969, including this year’s 55th reunion.

Larry W. Moore ’74
Distinguished Service Award

A Frankfort native, Larry Moore is a magna cum laude graduate of Transylvania with a double major in psychology and humanities. He spent a year as an independent scholar at the German Literary Archives in Marbach am Neckar under a grant from the German Academic Exchange Service and later pursued graduate work at the University of Kentucky in history of science and medicine. He retired from a long career in Kentucky state government where he served in a variety of managerial, training and advisory capacities.

In 2002, Larry co-founded Broadstone Media LLC, a cultural promotion company, and today serves as publisher of Broadstone Books, a nationwide literary small press, as well as curator of two art galleries.

Larry reconnected with Transylvania in the early 2000s as a participant in a networking event for students. In 2018, he joined the 100 Doors to Success program as a mentor and has enjoyed working with students, providing them internships. In addition to his volunteer work with Transylvania, he served many years as board chair of a financial institution, on the boards of other cultural and civic organizations, and as a classroom consultant for Junior Achievement for 20 years. His late wife, Jane Chancellor Moore ’73, was a fellow Transylvanian.

Shannan Stamper ’94
Distinguished Service Award

A native of Russell, Kentucky, and a William T. Young Scholar, Shannan Stamper made her mark on campus as a member of the choir, the symphonic and pep bands, Phi Mu, Phi Alpha Theta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega and the Student Alumni Association. She graduated summa cum laude from Transylvania, majoring in both history and mathematics and received her law degree from Harvard Law School, where she served as a senior editor of the Harvard Environmental Law Review.

Shannan currently serves as deputy general counsel for academics, finance, students and athletics at the University of Kentucky, and she has more than 20 years of legal experience in the public and private sectors. Before joining UK, Shannan practiced law at Brown & Hill PLLC, as general counsel and executive director of legal services for the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet and as a tax attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Cincinnati and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP in Washington, D.C. She also worked as a judicial law clerk for fellow Transylvanian, Karen K. Caldwell, U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Shannan has been actively involved as a graduate, first helping plan her fifth reunion in 1999, and then every five years since. She is a mentor with the 100 Doors program, having been one of the first to participate when the program launched in 2014. She was a member of the Alumni Board from 2016-22 and currently serves on the Board of Regents.

Transylvania Launches New Alumni and Giving Website

Alumni and donors will notice a notable difference when browsing the www.transy.edu/alumni website since November 1. The site has gone through a complete overhaul and the e-commerce platform for donations and event registrations is also new. Please take a look around through various pages. Let us know what you think. We welcome and appreciate constructive feedback and plan to continue to work on this site as time goes by.

Questions/comments regarding the website should be sent to alumni@transy.edu

Bingham Center for Teaching Excellence Announced

2023 Alumni Award Recipients

Image of 2023 Morrison Medallion winner Carol Tanner

Carol Ann Goff Tanner ’64
Morrison Medallion

Carol Ann Goff Tanner was born in Ashland, Kentucky. Named 1964’s Miss Transylvania, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and was president of Chi Omega women’s fraternity. After graduating in 1964, Carol served her alma mater in numerous roles, with membership on the Alumni Board from 1968-1975, the Board of Visitors from 1999-2004 and the Board of Trustees from 2004-2011, as well as multiple reunion planning committees. In 2015, Carol was instrumental in helping the alumni office organize the Robert Barr Society Council and establish the new tradition of the Fall Reunion of the Barr Society, open to alumni who have celebrated their 50th class reunion.

As a member of the Morrison Planned Giving Society, Carol has been a generous supporter of Transylvania. Most recently, she established an additional scholarship for students who participate in Transylvania’s partnership with Appalachian Regional Healthcare. The Goff Tanner Appalachian Regional Health Scholarship provides as much as $5,000 annually to up to 20 students for the duration of their four years at Transy. Carol was also a key supporter of Transy’s COVID emergency fund, and has a planned gift arrangement to create an endowed faculty chair for education.

Over the years, Carol and her late husband Bob have supported many Transylvania initiatives including the Lila Boyarsky Scholarship, the Brown Science labs renovation and the library, as well as the Transylvania Fund.

Carol currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.

D. Chanslor Gallenstein ’16
Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Originally from Maysville, Kentucky, Chanslor Gallenstein graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in philosophy, politics, and economics in 2016. While at Transy, he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies, as well as the Holleian Society. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law in 2019, where he was executive editor of the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., where he has been an associate attorney with Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC, since March 2022. His previous appointments include work as an associate at Winston and Strawn and a term law clerk for Judge John K. Bush, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Louisville.
Chanslor has been a member of the Young Alumni Council since 2017 and has served as a mentor for 100 Doors to Success since 2019. Working with his law firm, he has arranged for a paid summer internship for Transy students. Chanslor recently assisted Transy professor Peter Fosl in forming a new pre-law society and serves on its inaugural advisory board.

Amy Collignon Gunn ’93
Distinguished Achievement Award

Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, Amy Collignon Gunn graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in political science in 1993. While at Transy, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity and worked as a member of the residence life staff. Earning her J.D. from St. Louis University in 1996, she is a member of the Simon Law Firm, P.C., in St. Louis.

Amy has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and has received many professional awards, including the John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award, the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award, the 40 Under 40 Award presented by the St. Louis Business Journal, the Women’s Justice Rising Star and Litigation Practitioner Awards and the Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award. In October 2020, she received the President’s Award from the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys in recognition of her efforts to protect and defend the civil justice system.

Amy has been consistently named to Best Lawyers in America since 2009, and she is the founding member and host of two podcasts: “Heels in the Courtroom” with colleagues at Simon Law Firm and “Trial Tested” for the American College of Trial Lawyers. She currently resides in St. Louis.

Hayden Travis Mauk ’98
Distinguished Achievement Award

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Hayden Travis Mauk graduated from Transylvania in 1998, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. Planning to become a farmer, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, working with cattle during the day and taking acting classes at night. This led to a career shift — initial work as a production assistant on an IMAX film was followed by stints as a stand-in on several sitcoms before Hayden found himself working on the then-brand-new ABC late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

Today, Hayden is an Emmy-award-winning producer and director with extensive experience working in the unscripted television genre. He is currently showrunner and director for the Outdoor Channel series “Feral” with Chef Yia Vang. While his preferred medium is television, he has also produced a feature-length horror film, several commercials and acted.

Previous shows include Comedy Central’s “Too Late with Adam Carolla”; FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Kitchen Nightmares” and “MasterChef”; CBS’s “Undercover Boss”; NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior”; Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” and “The Zimmern List”; Netflix’s “Fresh, Fried and Crispy” and Nickelodeon’s “America’s Most Musical Family.”
Despite his busy schedule, Hayden still finds time to serve Transylvania as a mentor for 100 Doors to Success.

Ana C. Reyes ’96
Distinguished Achievement Award

Born in Uruguay, Ana C. Reyes grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. A William T. Young Scholar and student-athlete, she graduated from Transylvania in 1996 with a B.A in political science. While an undergraduate, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary and played both softball and field hockey. She was a member of the Board of Regents from 2012-2015.

Ana earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2000 and her M.I.P.P. from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in 2014. Along with her admission to the U.S. bars, Ana was listed on the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales. She has co-taught courses at Yale Law School and Georgetown University Law School. In 2017, she was named Woman Lawyer of the Year by the Women’s Bar Association of D.C.
In February 2023, Ana was appointed as a United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Prior to that, 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 practice focused on international litigation, and she devoted substantial time to pro bono work assisting refugees.

Elizabeth “Lizi” C. Ruch ’73
Distinguished Achievement Award

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Elizabeth “Lizi” C. Ruch ’73 graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in studio art. While at Transy, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity and the university’s tennis team. “Animal and horse crazy” since childhood, that’s where Lizi found inspiration for her art, and her first works sold in Louisville art galleries as animated interpretations of local residences and restaurants in clay. After graduation, she taught art and served as department chair at Eastern High School in Louisville while attending the University of Louisville, where she earned her M.A. in ceramic sculpture in 1979.

Lizi eventually moved to New York City, where she completed a B.F.A. in fashion design at Parsons School of Design and then launched her own knitwear business. Her designs were sold throughout high-end specialty stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog. Lizi Ruch Designs were selected as the merchandise for the PGA opening golf championship at Valhalla. She also assisted with designing a women’s clothing collection under the label of P’galli.

In addition to her business, Lizi taught within the fashion design departments of both Parsons and Otis College of Art and Design, and has worked as a freelance consultant.

A passionate equestrian, Lizi continues to be inspired to bring the joy of art to patrons by illustrating, sculpting and painting animals and the people who love them. She has created equestrian-themed dinnerware, and a couple of her pieces toured as part of the MFHA Traveling Centennial Art Exhibition, which opened in New York in January 2007. She has also published a children’s book, “Merry Christmas to You from Little Dreamer,” which she wrote and illustrated.

Today, Lizi resides in Chatsworth, California, where she is a member of the Chatsworth Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce, the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council and the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth.

Jill A. Stratton ’91
Distinguished Achievement Award

Originally from Mayfield, Kentucky, Jill A. Stratton graduated from Transylvania with a B.A. in psychology in 1991. While at Transy, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity, Psi Chi and Omicron Delta Kappa honoraries, and worked as a member of the residence life staff. She served on the Alumni Board from 2012-2015.

Jill earned her M.S. in college student personnel from Indiana University in 1993, as well as her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in ethical and creative leadership from Union Institute and University in 2011. Known as the “Dean of Joy,” she currently serves as Assistant Provost for Academic Support and Community Engagement at Vanderbilt University.

Before her 2020 appointment at Vanderbilt, Jill spent the bulk of her career at Washington University in St. Louis, where she served in several roles, including area coordinator in residence life, assistant and associate director of residence life, associate dean of students and director of residential academic programs and associate dean for undergraduate residential learning in the office of the vice chancellor for student affairs. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where she continues to do research and teach in the areas of college student development, emotional intelligence, leadership, positive psychology and residential learning communities.

Thomas Jeffrey Vasseur ’83
Distinguished Achievement Award

A native Kentuckian, Thomas Jeffrey Vasseur graduated from Transylvania in 1983. A soccer player and member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy. After graduation, Jeff was a teaching fellow at the University of Utah from 1985-92. His studies abroad included summers at Alliance Française in Paris and a winter at Universidad de Buenos Aires. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 1992.

Jeff taught English at Valdosta State University from 1996-2021. Prior to his appointment there, he served as MFA coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University.

An author of numerous referred publications and articles, he has published several books, two of which were finalists for the Townsend Award: “Discovering the World: Thirteen Stories” (2002) and “Touch the Earth: An Aftermath of the Vietnam War” (2006). A 2002 nominee for Fiction Book of the Year by the Georgia Writers Association, he was also nominated for the Valdosta State University Service Award for a decade of work on VSU’s literary magazine and named the VSU Honors Exemplary Professor, 2008-09.

Jeff credits the English department at Transylvania, especially professors Fizdale and Vital, with changing his life when he was a student. In 2001, he returned to Transylvania at the invitation of the English department, where he gave a public reading from “Discovering the World: Thirteen Stories” and conducted writing workshops for Transy students. He retired from Valdosta State University in 2021.

Carolyn Hilterbran Henry ’73 and J. Steven Henry ’73
Distinguished Service Award

As Transylvania freshmen, Carolyn Hilterbran Henry and J. Steven Henry met in front of Old Morrison after it burned in 1969. At the time, they had no idea they would be married in the building in 1975.

Their love for Transylvania has remained steadfast through the years. Steve, a Phi Kappa Tau alumnus, served on Transylvania’s alumni board from 2015-21. Carolyn, a Phi Mu alumna and 1973’s Miss Transylvania, is currently serving on the alumni board and is an active member of the financial support small group. Both have served on multiple class reunion committees, including this year’s committee for their 50th college reunion. Faithful five-year reunion attendees, they haven’t missed Alumni Weekend in the past decade.

Both Carolyn and Steve are active members of First Christian Church (DOC) in Lafayette, Indiana, where Carolyn sings in the choir, serves as an elder, and is involved in her P.E.O. (philanthropic educational organization) chapter. Also an elder, Steve serves as the church’s treasurer. When the Transy choir traveled north on spring break several years ago, the Henrys helped coordinate host families for the students through their church.

Steve retired from Purdue University in 2017, and Carolyn retired after teaching math for 42 years. Indiana natives, they currently reside in Lafayette.

Dustin E. Meek ’88
Distinguished Service Award

Originally from Ashland, Kentucky, Dustin E. Meek earned her B.A. in psychology from Transylvania, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity and played on the tennis team. She then earned her J.D. from the University of Louisville and practices law at Tachau Meek, PLC. Respected by her peers, she has consistently been elected to Super Lawyers from 2009-23, recognized in Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Kentucky since 2012 and, in recent years, has been named as one of the top 50 of all Kentucky lawyers.

Dustin has stayed connected to Transylvania in the years since her graduation. She has served on her class reunion planning committee, was a member of the Alumni Board from 2016-22 and currently serves on the Board of Regents. She was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame for her prowess as a tennis player in 2008. She has also served as a mentor for 100 Doors to Success since 2021.

Dustin serves on the Board of Directors of Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky, a professional liability insurer for many of Kentucky’s small and medium-size law firms. She is a past member of the Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court. A member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the UofL Brandeis School of Law, she serves upon appointment by the Kentucky Supreme Court as chair of the Kentucky Board of Bar Examiners. She currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Linda Campbell Tipton ’88
Distinguished Service Award

Originally from Louisville, Linda Campbell Tipton earned her B.A. in psychology from Transylvania, where she was a William T. Young Scholar, as well as a member of Chi Omega women’s fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary. In her senior year, Linda served as head resident advisor for Forrer Hall. She earned her Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1992. Since 2004, Linda has been a psychologist in private practices and has served as adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Maryland since 2012.

As an alumna, Linda has stayed involved with Transylvania, having served on every five-year reunion committee, numerous times as gift chair. In 2018, Linda led the giving effort for the Class of 1988 to name the new William T. Young Campus Center’s Hearth Room fireplace.

A regional ambassador for the Washington, D.C., area, she has served on the Transylvania Women’s Impact Council and was a mentor for 100 Doors to Success from 2018-22. She currently serves on the Board of Regents.

Linda resides in Takoma Park, Maryland, with her husband Sean Tipton ’86.

Transylvania releases three-year roadmap to grow enrollment, support students

Transylvania University, Kentucky’s first college, has released its new Strategic Focus — an agile, targeted, three-year plan for the future. Titled “Pursuing a BOLD PATH for Transylvania University: 2021-2024,” the Strategic Focus was approved in October by the university’s Board of Trustees.

‘Twas the night before Christmas (Transy Edition)

‘Twas the night before Christmas, a night cold but sweet,
Not a creature was stirring, no committee did meet.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
No one was Zooming, a moment quite rare.

The first years were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Winter Term danced in their heads.
They dreamed of great classes that they soon would take,
And of all of the “A”s they would certainly make.