Seamus Carey

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University hosted a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony on March 20. Immigrants from across the world took the Oath of Allegiance in Haggin Auditorium, completing their path to American citizenship. The ceremony, which was open to the public, drew a large crowd of both participants and supporters, as it did when when Transylvania hosted the event last year and in 1998. Karen Caldwell, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, presided. Caldwell is a Transylvania graduate and member of the university’s Board of Trustees. The speakers included Transylvania senior Allen Prado, who is a naturalized citizen from Cuba, and President Seamus Carey. Also, junior Vivian Tsai of Taiwan led the Pledge of Allegiance; and Grace Notes, a university a cappella group, sung the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Kerry Harvey, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Larry Kammerer, field office director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, offered introductions. Then Nathan W. Lee—a Transylvania alum and chief deputy clerk for the U.S. District Court—administered the Oath of Allegiance.

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Beginning with the fall 2016 admissions cycle, students will no longer be required to submit ACT or SAT scores when applying to Transylvania University. Transylvania becomes the first Kentucky school from the U.S. News and World Report’s top 100 liberal arts colleges to adopt the new system, which is becoming increasingly popular among leading institutions. Students will still have the option to submit their scores for consideration in the admission and scholarship processes but can choose not to if they feel the scores do not accurately reflect their academic abilities.  “The ACT and SAT are among a set of many tools that can be used in evaluating a student for admission and scholarships,” said Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. “But there is strong evidence that standardized tests are not the best predictors of retention and graduation for some students. We will offer students a choice.” Transylvania will continue to use a holistic approach to evaluate the applications of those who choose not to submit test scores.  This will include an analysis of the rigor of curriculum, the high school transcript, writing ability, recommendations, and co-curricular involvement.  Students will also be encouraged to interview with an admissions counselor. “Transylvania is a diverse community of many different types of learners and an accomplished faculty of master teachers. Reducing a student’s ability to a number does not do justice to what it means to be a student

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  Alvin R. “Pete” Carpenter LEXINGTON, Ky.—One of the most prominent buildings on the campus of Transylvania University is set to receive a major facelift thanks, in part, to the generous donation of a 1964 alumnus. Alvin R. “Pete” and Marilyn Carpenter plan to donate $2 million as the lead gift for the renovation of the Haupt Humanities building. “My education at Transylvania left me with a desire for lifelong learning,” said Pete Carpenter, who retired in 2001 as vice chairman of CSX Corporation. “This desire for learning and curiosity has helped me in my business endeavors. Institutions like Transylvania are the basis to the success some of us have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed. It’s crucial to give back to these institutions in order to help prepare and educate our next generation of leaders.” A Kentucky native from Mount Vernon and a graduate of Ludlow High School, Pete Carpenter has been an active alumnus of Transylvania, having served on the institution’s Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2000. He is also the recipient of the university’s Morrison Medallion, which is given to alums for outstanding service to Transylvania and its programs. After completing his college degree, Carpenter joined CSX where he rose up the ranks, having held such positions as executive vice president for sales and marketing, executive vice president of operations, and president and CEO of CSX Transportation before retiring as vice chairman of CSX Corporation. He

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