1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

R. Owen Williams

Transylvania University names Michael J. Bell interim vice president and dean of the college

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—President R. Owen Williams has announced that Michael J. Bell will serve as the interim vice president and dean of the college, effective August 1. Bell was selected after a comprehensive search by a university committee composed of faculty and administrators. “I am very excited about the prospect of having someone with Dean Bell’s experience joining us at Transylvania,” said Williams. “We are all eager to work with him as we start to implement our strategic plan.” Bell has recently served as vice president at a number of colleges requiring interim leadership, including Suffolk University and Merrimack College, both in the Boston area. He began his academic career as a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit and later moved to Grinnell College in Iowa. Bell received his doctorate in folklore and folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. “One of the advantages I bring to the table is that I have experienced a variety of institutions at a variety of stages in the institution’s life,” said Bell. “A few months ago Transylvania was poised to make a leap forward. If I can do anything to build on that momentum, then I would feel extremely successful. “I sense that people are ready to get started and are looking forward to the new term. They want things to happen. Everything I saw, everyone I met, suggested that this is a very strong community, one that cares deeply about the values of

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Transylvania University President R. Owen Williams to resign at the end of the 2013-14 academic year

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—R. Owen Williams will step down as president of Transylvania University after the 2013-14 academic year, Chairman of the Board of Trustees William T. Young Jr. announced this afternoon in a meeting with faculty and staff. “The Board of Trustees fully supports Dr. Williams’s decision to continue to lead Transylvania University through the upcoming school year,” Young said. “It is with regret that we accept his resignation.” Young said that a national search for Williams’s successor will be initiated later this year. Williams came to Transylvania in August 2010, after a national search to find a successor for Charles L. Shearer, who had served as president for 27 years. During his tenure, Williams has led the development of an ambitious strategic plan, Transylvania 2020—a comprehensive roadmap that encompasses enrollment growth, expansion of campus facilities and enhancements to academic and student life programs. He supported the development of an innovative August term for all new incoming students and expanded the size of campus by 20 percent. Other initiatives under Williams’s leadership include equalizing faculty salaries along gender lines; increasing starting salaries for assistant professors; making pre-tenure sabbaticals available for faculty; increasing the number of faculty; adding an associate dean position; approving the addition of varsity lacrosse and equestrian teams and competitive dance/cheer teams; establishing new staff positions in diversity and inclusion, admissions and development; increasing emphasis on student retention; starting the Creative Intelligence Lectures Series and John Marshall Harlan Lecture

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Sheilley named athletics director at Transylvania University; will serve as first female AD in the university’s history

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LEXINGTON, Ky. —Transylvania University has named Holly K. Sheilley, currently the assistant director of championships for the NCAA, as its new athletics director, effective July 1, 2013. “Holly will be an outstanding addition to Transylvania,” said President R. Owen Williams. “Her extensive and varied experience will enhance our already strong athletics program.” Sheilley has been with the NCAA since 2010. She managed four Division I Championships, including the two largest in terms of student-athlete participants, as well as five Division III Championships, including the two biggest. In total, she was responsible for oversight of over $3 million in operating budget. “I am extremely humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve as the athletics director at Transylvania University, Sheilley said. “I am committed to continuing the long-standing history of academic and athletic excellence by raising the bar and moving us forward as contenders in Division III. After getting to know the people here, it is clear that the university has a bright future. I am excited to work with such a great group of coaches, staff members and student-athletes.” Prior to joining the NCAA, Sheilley spent eight years in athletics administrative posts at the University of Louisville, working under athletics director Tom Jurich. She has been assistant athletic director for championships and student development and assistant compliance coordinator since 2002. “I am delighted that Holly is coming to Transylvania,” said Barbara LoMonaco, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

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Transylvania University Board of Trustees reaffirms support of President R. Owen Williams

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Board of Trustees of Transylvania University reaffirmed its support of President R. Owen Williams on Friday, May 24, with a unanimous vote of confidence.   The Board of Trustees is the university’s highest governing authority.  Separately, the Board of Regents also expressed its confidence in Williams in a unanimous vote.  The Board of Regents is an advisory board to the trustees and the president.   In a related vote, the trustees unanimously reaffirmed their support of the university’s strategic plan, Transylvania 2020. Formulated with participation from faculty members, students and trustees, the plan sets specific goals aimed at placing the university among the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the nation by 2020. It would increase the student body from 1,100 to 1,500 and the faculty from 100 to 125.   President Williams’ responsibilities, as assigned by the trustees, include implementing the strategic plan and raising academic standards generally.   The resolutions were in response to a faculty vote of no confidence in Williams, which was presented to the board Friday at its May meeting.   The board did not respond to another faculty resolution urging it to overrule two of Williams’ decisions on tenure cases. Evaluating faculty members for tenure is a lengthy process that involves the faculty and the administration. Ultimate approval of each tenure case rests with the trustees.  By not acting on the faculty resolution, the trustees upheld Williams’ handling of the

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Lawn of historic Old Morrison is scene for Transylvania’s commencement

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University’s 222 graduates welcomed the cool weather Saturday morning as they sat in their black caps and gowns soaking up the sunshine on the lawn of historic Old Morrison during the school’s commencement ceremony. Transylvania president R. Owen Williams conferred the bachelor of arts degree on the graduates, actor Steve Zahn delivered the keynote address, class of 2013 member Hannah Johnson was the student speaker and poet Nikky Finney received an honorary degree. Zahn, a Lexington resident who has appeared in movies including “Reality Bites,” “That Thing You Do!,” “You’ve Got Mail” and “Riding in Cars with Boys,” advised the graduates to take the back roads, where it’s hard to pass and you have to slow down and go through a lot of small towns. “That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take the highways, too,” he said. “It’s your turn to merge onto the interstate and go for it. But remember, the faster you go, the harder it will be to pull off onto the back road, and trust me, the back roads are better. They’re the ones you remember. “The long and the short of it is this: Don’t be in such a hurry to get where you think you’re supposed to be, because you’ll run the risk of missing the real opportunity. Live with integrity and passion. Treat yourself and others well. Humility mixed with focused tenacity will go a long way. Buy a radar

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