From the President

Dear Friends of Transylvania,

At Transylvania University, we often talk about connection. The idea that the relationships formed here don’t just enrich your college years but also shape your entire life is central to our community. This issue of Third & Broadway offers powerful proof of that truth.

For Erin Melville Lageman ’04, the connections built in our classrooms, on the swim team and through mentorship guided her from psychology student to vice president of people and culture for the Cincinnati Reds. What began as a student-athlete’s journey became a career rooted in empathy, leadership and the power of community.

That same spirit is alive in current student Ethan Winn ’26, whose curiosity led him from a Greek language course to an archaeological dig in Turkey. His experience shows how our liberal arts approach opens doors to unexpected paths, helping students gain confidence and independence, along with a broader understanding of the world and themselves.

And in alumna Elizabeth (Meredith) Rhea ’08, we see how the foundation of close mentorship and hands-on discovery continues to ripple outward. From Transy biology labs to her research on Alzheimer’s disease at the University of Washington, she’s advancing science while cultivating the next generation of thinkers, just as her professors at Transy once did for her.

These stories, both past and present, remind us that the value of a Transylvania education lies not only in what students learn but in who they learn with and from. That same spirit of connection is driving new efforts from our advancement office as Pioneers around the country form affinity and interest groups that bring our community together in fresh and meaningful ways. Whether through shared careers, causes or identities, these networks extend the Transy experience well beyond campus and across generations.Every day, I’m inspired by the ways our students and alumni live out our motto, In lumine illo tradimus lumen — “In that light, we pass on the light.” Together, we continue to illuminate new paths for one another, grounded in purpose, curiosity and connection.

In Pioneer spirit,