1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Commencement

Former CSX president to deliver Transylvania commencement address May 26

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Alvin R. “Pete” Carpenter, former CSX Transportation president and CEO, will deliver Transylvania University’s commencement address on Saturday, May 26, as the university celebrates its 2018 graduates. Carpenter is a 1964 Transylvania alumnus and served on the school’s Board of Trustees from 1993-2000. The Kentucky native now lives in Jacksonville, Fla. Carpenter and his wife, Marilyn, were the lead donors for a major interior upgrade of Transylvania’s Carpenter Academic Center, which wrapped up this spring. He also is a recipient of the university’s Morrison Medallion, which is given to alumni for outstanding service to the school and its programs. “Our graduating seniors can learn valuable life lessons from Pete Carpenter,” President Seamus Carey said. “Not only has he excelled in the business world, but he has exemplified living generously, which is the theme of this academic year. Mr. Carpenter’s efforts to transform the university’s main academic building into a cutting-edge learning environment will help sustain our liberal arts mission well into the 21st century.” Transylvania’s commencement will begin at 9 a.m. in front of historic Old Morrison. The rain location will be the Clive M. Beck Center. Students in this year’s graduating class have distinguished themselves academically, with numerous accolades. Class of 2018 highlights • Forty-six percent of the 218 graduating seniors are receiving Latin honors for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, and 45 percent are receiving program honors. • Thirty-five percent of this year’s graduates studied

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Pioneering United Way leader to deliver Transylvania commencement address

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LEXINGTON, Ky.— Bill Farmer, president and CEO of United Way of the Bluegrass, will deliver Transylvania University’s commencement address on Saturday, May 27, as the 237-year-old institution celebrates its 2017 graduates. “Community partnership is an integral part of a liberal arts education,” Transylvania President Seamus Carey said. “Mr. Farmer’s dedication to the Lexington community offers compelling evidence of how one individual can improve the lives of many. His example will remind our graduates of their responsibility to bravely tackle the challenges that lie ahead while they imagine the possibilities.” Farmer, who is the first African American to head the United Way of the Bluegrass, has helped the organization focus on improving educational opportunities, health outcomes and financial security among struggling central Kentucky families. He is building partnerships with local businesses, universities and individual volunteers to achieve those goals through social change. Transylvania’s commencement will begin at 9 a.m. in front of historic Old Morrison. The rain location will be the Clive M. Beck Center. Students in this year’s graduating class have distinguished themselves academically, with numerous accolades awarded to them. Class of 2017 highlights • Thirty-three percent of the 215 graduating seniors are receiving Latin honors for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, and 40 percent are receiving program honors. • Two of the 26 national Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society graduate fellowships were awarded to Transylvania seniors. • Students will pursue advanced degrees at institutions such as Vanderbilt,

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Transylvania graduates 270 students May 28

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—On Saturday, May 28, Transylvania University sent 270 students into the world—Pioneers who are specially prepared to start their careers or continue their studies at graduate and professional schools. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray gave the commencement address to the students. Gray’s late mother, Lois Howard Gray, is a 1940 Transylvania graduate and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 22 years. “We welcome Mayor Jim Gray to campus as an obvious choice for our commencement speaker,” President Seamus Carey said. “Transylvania is an integral part of Lexington, and the city—with its plentiful internships and other opportunities—complements our mission as a top-100 national liberal arts university.” The class of 2016 received their degrees during the 9 a.m. ceremony in front of the historic Old Morrison administration building. Fellow classmate Mary Katharine Stewart, who passed away March 19 in a hiking accident, was awarded her Spanish degree posthumously. Senior Kevin Moore—a religion major from Lexington—gave the student address. Class of 2016 honors Thirty-four percent of the graduating seniors are receiving program honors, and 32 percent are receiving Latin honors for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Forty-seven percent of the graduates studied abroad during their careers—either for a full term, a summer or during Transylvania’s four-week May term. Two seniors received Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships, one to teach in Macedonia and one in the Slovak Republic. Three of the 24 national Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society graduate fellowships were awarded to Transylvania seniors. Senior Reza Haider

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Mayor Jim Gray to deliver Transylvania commencement address

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Mayor Jim Gray will give Transylvania University’s commencement address on May 28. The two-term mayor has strong ties to the school, which is dedicated to strengthening its connection to the city. Transylvania and Gray have both shown a strong commitment to Lexington’s Northside Neighborhood in particular. Most recently, Transylvania agreed to partner with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to improve the West Fourth Street streetscape from Upper to Jefferson streets. The university—which is a Northside Neighborhood Association member—also helped with revitalization efforts by transforming an abandoned tobacco warehouse into the Fourth Street Athletics Complex. Gray’s connection to Transylvania is more than civic. His late mother, Lois Howard Gray, graduated from the school in 1940. She was Miss Transylvania that year and later served on the university’s Alumni Board and was on the Board of Trustees for 22 years. Additionally, in 1997 she received the Morrison Medallion, the school’s highest alumni award. “We welcome Mayor Jim Gray to campus as an obvious choice for our next commencement speaker,” President Seamus Carey said. “Transylvania is an integral part of Lexington, and the city—with its plentiful internships and other opportunities—complements our mission as a top-100 national liberal arts university.” The commencement ceremony will be in front of Old Morrison. The historic building is at the center of the city seal, which highlights the importance of the relationship between Transylvania and Lexington. Other recent commencement speakers have included Homaira Akbari, a leading thinker

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Transylvania University commencement May 23

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LEXINGTON Ky.—Transylvania University’s commencement on Saturday, May 23, marked the start of a new journey for graduating students, who are well-prepared to join the workforce or continue their education at graduate or professional schools. The students of the class of 2015 received their bachelor’s degrees during the 9:30 a.m. ceremony in front of historic Old Morrison. Homaira Akbari, an award-winning thought leader in the security, Internet of Things, mobile and software sectors, delivered the commencement address. She is founder and CEO of the global advisory firm, AKnowledge Partners. “Dr. Akbari is a brilliant thinker at the cutting edge of technology, industry and business,” President Seamus Carey said. “She has a unique perspective to share with our students that will not only inform, but inspire them to shape their futures.” Transylvania senior Skyler Slone—a theater and philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) major from Hindman, Ky.— gave the student address: “You Are Living Your Story.” Also during the ceremony, the university presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Roszalyn Mack Akins, a 1976 Transylvania graduate and long-time Fayette County Public Schools teacher and administrator. Akins founded the BMW (Black Males Working) Academy, which motivates and educates African American students. The class of 2015 These students have set themselves apart in an outstanding fashion: • Forty-one percent of the students will receive honors in their academic programs, and 35 percent will graduate with Latin honors—a cumulative GPA above 3.5. • Transylvania will

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