R. Owen Williams

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The inaugural class of the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame includes three men with close ties to Transylvania University. Created to celebrate Kentucky’s most successful entrepreneurs, the hall of fame recognizes financial achievement, innovation in products or services, job creation, contributions to specific industries and community involvement. Although Pearse Lyons, Warren W. Rosenthal and the late William T. Young earned their entrepreneurial stripes through markedly different careers, they are all either current or former members of the Transylvania Board of Trustees and have supported the university in a variety of other ways. “The remarkable professional success these men have attained gave them the means to also support higher education through their generous commitment of time and resources to this university,” said Transylvania President R. Owen Williams. “We salute them for this latest honor and renew our appreciation for what they have done for Transylvania.” Transylvania Trustee Pearse Lyons is the founder and president of Alltech, a leading animal health company that employs over 1,900 people in 91 countries. Begun in 1980, Alltech now has group sales approaching $400 million. The company was the primary corporate sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Lyons is responsible for creating the Alltech Lecture Series at Transylvania, which has brought key figures in science and industry to campus to discuss such diverse topics as renewable energy, biotechnology in relation to the aging process, Alzheimer’s disease and the effects of nutrition on

Read “Entrepreneur Hall of Fame recognizes three with Transylvania ties”

LEXINGTON, Ky.—William F. Pollard, vice president and dean of the college and professor of English at Transylvania, is the recipient of the 2010 Chief Academic Officer Award given by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). The award recognizes his contributions to colleagues at independent colleges and universities. As a member of the CIC Chief Academic Officers Task Force (2006-09) he helped develop programs and chaired sessions at the annual institute for chief academic officers. For over 15 years he has been an evaluator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa national honorary societies, the American Conference of Academic Deans and has served as president and secretary of the Association of Chief Academic Officers of the Southern States. “Bill is very deserving of this national honor,” said Transylvania president R. Owen Williams. “He is an active scholar and is well respected by his colleagues.  His appreciation for the liberal arts is remarkable.” Pollard, who came to Transylvania in 2004, has published on medieval English literature and is co-editor of “Mysticism and Spirituality in Medieval England” with Robert Boenig and “Vox Mystica: Essays on the English Mystical Tradition Honoring Valerie Lagorio” with Anne Bartlett, Thomas Bestul and Janet Goebel. Prior to beginning his service at Transylvania, he was provost and dean of the college and professor of English at Georgetown College and vice president and dean

Read “Transylvania’s William F. Pollard receives national award from Council of Independent Colleges”

LEXINGTON, Ky.-Transylvania University dedicated the renovated and refurbished laboratories of Brown Science Center today. During the ceremony, President R. Owen Williams emphasized the importance of the project for the university’s science faculty and students. “This major project enhances teaching and learning in our already very distinguished science programs,” Williams said. “Our labs are now the kind of physical spaces that encourage the high degree of collaboration among professors and students that is characteristic of modern scientific investigation.” William T. Young Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees, was on hand to welcome everyone to the dedication and express gratitude to the donors who made the project possible. “It took a broad and supportive group of very generous donors to fund what is truly one of the most meaningful projects in the university’s recent history,” Young said. “Each and every one who supported this initiative has our deep appreciation.” Highlights of the multi-phase renovation include new fume hoods and other scientific equipment, along with moveable furnishings that make lab spaces more flexible. The addition of windows, brighter lighting, and lighter colors for walls and floors combine to make exceptionally appealing spaces for the study of science. The $9.2 million project is one of three main components of Transylvania’s 225th Anniversary Campaign, which concluded in June with a total of $47.3 million raised against a goal of $42 million. Thus far, nine of 11 labs have been completed. The work began in

Read “Transylvania dedicates renovated laboratories in Brown Science Center”

LEXINGTON, Ky.—President R. Owen Williams has announced the formation of the President’s Advisory Council, a group of faculty, staff and a student representative from across campus who will meet once a month to assist and advise the president on matters that are important to the Transylvania community. Standing members of the council will be the director of public safety, the presiding officer of the faculty and the director of the physical plant. Other members will serve a three-year term on a rotating basis. The members for 2010-11 will be: Nancy Wolsk, chair, professor of art history Darrell Banks, physical plant director Susan Brown, director of the library Grant Buckles, student Richard Cook, director of public safety Michael Covert, associate dean of students Paul Dimayuga, software training and technology support coordinator Kathleen Jagger, associate dean of the college, professor of biology Don Lane, professor of physical education Paul Jones, professor of religion, presiding officer of the faculty Natasa Pajic, director of alumni programs Kim Chaffer Schroeder, associate director of admissions Kathy Simon, director of study abroad John Svarlien, professor of classics Tiffany Wheeler, assistant professor of education Tammie Williams, division secretary, fine arts