LEXINGTON, Ky.—With the help of alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends, Transylvania University is the winner in the 2008 Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities’ (AIKCU) “Battle of the Bumpers.” The contest is an annual competition among the 20 AIKCU campuses to put the most campus license plates on Kentucky highways, and in turn raise the most money for student scholarships. To win, Transylvania supporters purchased or renewed 689 license plates.
In 2007, Transy supporters purchased or renewed 601 license plates—just three shy of first place. The custom plates advertise allegiance to Transylvania while supporting current students; $10 from the sale of each plate is returned directly to Transy’s general scholarship fund.
The Kentucky Independent Higher Education series plates took to the roads in 2002. Each independent college and university had its own plate, but they all shared a common design theme. Thanks to advances in license plate printing technology and some changes in state regulations, AIKCU members were able to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to redesign their plates in late 2007. The new plates went on sale in January 2008. Transylvania’s unique design was the work of Barbara Grinnell, Transy’s graphic designer.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t see another Transy license plate around town,” said Natasa Pajic, director of alumni programs. “I had a feeling once we were given the opportunity to redesign the plate to really look like Transy that a lot more of our supporters would want one. Getting the word out about the new license plate was a team effort. My colleagues and I are grateful to all Transy alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends who chose to show their Transylvania pride on their plate.”
The 2009 license plate competition began on January 1. For more information, including contact information for your county clerk, visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing at http://drive.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.