1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University
Former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray on Thursday drew from his personal and political experiences when he spoke at Transylvania University’s Academic Convocation on the 2019-20 campus theme of resilience. The annual ceremony — which includes a student awards presentation — kicks off the academic year.
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
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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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government plan to work together on a $1.3 million project to improve the West Fourth Street corridor from Upper to Jefferson streets. The work, which is expected to take place next year, will include new sidewalks, street and pedestrian lighting, signage, traffic and drainage improvements and further development of the Legacy Trail. The project will extend the look and feel of the previous streetscape improvements on Fourth Street alongside the school’s Athletics Complex between Jefferson Street and Newtown Pike. Transylvania will match 20 percent of a state grant paid for by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, which support innovative improvements to traffic flow and air quality. Lexington and Lextran received a total of $7.7 million from the CMAQ program. “These road and trail projects will help Lexington continue to strive to have a clean, healthy environment to support its strong quality of life for families and businesses,” former Gov. Steve Beshear said. Mayor Jim Gray also praised the funding. “These are the kinds of projects that improve quality of life in Lexington,” he said. The Transylvania community especially will benefit from the improvements because students often walk and bike along Fourth Street to reach the Athletics Complex. Previously the site of an abandoned tobacco warehouse, the sports venue is another example of how Transylvania has invested in developing this corridor—which connects not only the residents of north Lexington with downtown but
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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University installed Seamus Carey as its 26th president on Friday, Oct. 9, in Haggin Auditorium. Carey, who became president in July of 2014, is transforming the university through positive changes such as the appointment of Laura Bryan as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university, the 100 Doors to Success mentoring program and the Project One diversity initiative. Other innovative improvements are campus-wide building projects that include the construction of three new residence halls and the renovation of the J. Douglas Gay Jr./Frances Carrick Thomas Library and the Haupt Humanities Building. “Dr. Carey has already had a significant impact on Transylvania,” said Chairman of the Board of Trustees William T. Young Jr. “His leadership exemplifies his passion for renewal and devotion to the liberal arts.” Young presented Carey with the Presidential Medallion during the installation ceremony. Distinguished visitors and speakers included presidents and officials from other universities and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. The installation ceremony was the culmination of the four-day Celebration of Transylvania, which included events such as an All-Campus Picnic, concert by renowned Celtic fiddler Eileen Ivers and the dedication of Alumni Plaza. Before coming to Transylvania, Carey served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Also, at Manhattan College he was chair of the philosophy department and School of Arts curriculum committee, a member of the faculty senate and director of the Center for Professional Ethics. He earned an
