ON Civility - FALL | WINTER 2018 - Transylvania University
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FALL | WINTER 2018
Volume 4, Issue No. 2
ON Civility
The civility we need will not come from watching our tongues.
It will come from valuing our differences.
Parker J. Palmer
“Every time I look at that coin,
it reminds me of my purpose, of my
dreams and my goals. It reminds me
how to be a good person and to give as
much as possible to the community.”
Emine Shinjatari ’22
Given to every first-year student, this year’s coin was inscribed with a quote by philosopher Parker J.
Palmer, serving as an introduction to the campus theme for the year and as a ready reminder of how to
live and thrive in community.
The coin resonates with as many interpretations as the individuals receiving it. For one student the
meaning is too deep, too private to share; for another the possibility that it holds is exhilarating—the
promise of a relationship so profound that the coin will be safeguarded for four years, and then placed in
that special mentor’s hand. It represents the relationship that is the core of the Transy experience.
2 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018
6
Volume 4, Issue No. 2
IN THIS ISSUE
11
FEATURES
4 From the President
On Civility
6 The Digital Thinker
New initiative joins classical education with
cutting-edge technology
17 18
11 Transy 101 President
Intro to Civility
Seamus Carey
16 Students Conduct Top- Vice President
for Marketing & Communications
Level Research with Megan Moloney
New EEG System Vice President for Advancement
Marty Smith
17 Honoring Those Who Director of Alumni Relations
Natasa Mongiardo ’96 Third & Broadway is published by
Transylvania University. Located in the
‘Contributed … Director of Marketing
heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky,
Transylvania is ranked in the top 15 percent
to Freedom’s Cause’ & Communications
Julie Martinez
of the nation’s four-year colleges by The
Princeton Review for its community-driven,
personalized approach to a liberal arts
education through its 46 majors. Founded in
Graphic Designers 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher
DEPARTMENTS Sam Cooper
Stephanie Wright
learning in the country, with nearly 1,100
students. Find Third & Broadway and other
Transylvania University resources online at
transy.edu or email us for more information at
Writers news@transy.edu.
18 In Photographs John Friedlein
Robin Hicks
Tyler Young
Welcome Class of 2022
Photographers
21 Campus 25 Campus & John Friedlein
Megan Moloney
News Community Ryan K. Morris
Hannah R. Piechowski
Shaun Ring
26 Alumni Notes 30 Alumni Profile
The Scout Guide Lexington
Stephanie Wright
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 3
Civility is ambiguous. On the campuses, we have seen civil
one hand, it is a mere formality, discourse overtaken by incivility.
the outward expression of courtesy One widely reported incident
and respect. It is a precursor to took place in March 2017 at
virtue, but not itself a virtue. We Middlebury College. Students—
teach children to be polite, to say joined by outside agitators—loudly
“please” and “thank you” before they protested as conservative author
know why. They learn the external Charles Murray attempted to speak
Photo courtesy of The Scout Guide Lexington
expression of virtue before they are at a campus event sponsored by a
capable of becoming virtuous. student group, the conservative-
We prefer when civility prevails leaning American Enterprise Club.
because it makes human interactions The club had also invited a liberal-
more fluid and pleasant. It takes leaning Middlebury professor,
the edge off of rough terrain we Allison Stanger, to engage Murray
traverse on the way toward virtue. in a public conversation after
By providing ground rules and his talk. In its actions, the club
preserving calm, it enables us to encouraged the sort of dialectic that
A MESSAGE FROM articulate a point of view and listen
to another.
liberal arts schools espouse: a back-
and-forth between two individuals
THE PRESIDENT:
On the other hand, civility with strongly differing opinions.
can conceal. Beneath religious Murray was unable to deliver
customs and rhetoric, clergy his lecture. Students heckled
abuse children. Behind protocol and turned their backs to him.
ON
and pronouncements, politicians Eventually, he and Stanger had to
ignore injustice. Between slick live-stream their conversation from
Civility
handshakes and expensive suits, another location. As the two left
bigotry stifles fair opportunities for the student center, a raucous crowd
the marginalized. Just as civility physically engaged them and rocked
facilitates respectful interactions, the car where they eventually
it can also preserve repressive took refuge. Stanger had to be
customs, deceptive words and treated for a neck injury at a local
clever tricks. hospital. Similar confrontations
Over time, this causes have occurred on college campuses
“When civility breaks down, frustration. Across the country, across the country.
we are watching this frustration The primary mission of school
the essential activities required harden into tribalism, which is learning. When civility breaks
overruns civil discourse with the down, the essential activities
for learning—dialogue, debate, bluster of uninformed, unreflective required for learning—dialogue,
articulation and reflection— demagoguery. The terrain toward debate, articulation and reflection—
human virtue is getting rougher. are drowned out. In their place
are drowned out.” We have made civility the theme ideology takes root. But ideologues
for the 2018-19 academic year at have lost sight of the purpose of
Transylvania because we recognize liberal education. They abandon the
its importance, its fragility and pursuit of truth and justice because
its ambiguity. We also recognize ideologues naively assume they
its central role in the educational already have the truth and already
process. Yet, even on college are just.
4 THIRD & BROADWAY
By focusing on civility, our A lack of humility and self- reaction to many situations, acting on
community is recalling two seminal awareness are at the root of incivility. them rarely leads to the best solution.
AS UNUSUAL
insights established by Plato early in In their place we create stereotypes Self-reflection can give us insight
our tradition: the person who knows of people we may never have met and into the causes of emotions and the
ON CIVILITY
that he doesn’t know is wise, and know foster hubris to convince ourselves we understanding needed to avoid their
thyself. These intersecting insights are are better than they are. Stereotyping grasp. Liberal education encourages
not only essential in exercising civility, others prevents us from knowing and facilitates this reflection.
BUSINESS
they are at the core of what we do as them. This dehumanization process At the same time, liberal education
a school. The first insight is governed has led to human catastrophes guides students toward the higher
by the virtue of humility, which throughout history. It is much easier goods of human life. There is debate
is essential to the to kill or abuse about what these goods might be,
educational process. someone we have but they ought to include friendship,
We inquire, research, dehumanized than
“Self-inquiry, deepening family, citizenship, faith and culture.
read and experiment someone we are These goods are sustained by
to discover what is our understanding of what trying to understand. cultivating the virtues of honesty,
yet unknown. These Sadly, we see these courage, humility, compassion and
activities begin with drives us and broadening practices at work justice. Pursuing these goods does not
an acknowledgment throughout our
of ignorance and an
awareness of the complex society. By lumping
preclude students from developing all
the skills they need to be successful
openness to learning contexts that shape us people with whom in the modern economy; it elevates
something new. To we disagree into those skills and allows students to put
lack this awareness, to are at the heart of being categories and labeling them to their best uses.
believe that one knows them a Republican,
all that one needs to an educated adult.” a Democrat, a
What we do at Transylvania has
never been more important for
know, is to guarantee conservative, a liberal, our students and for society. We
one’s ignorance. a woman, a man, a
understand the challenges we are up
The second Platonic insight turns gay, a straight, a black, a white or any
against. We also know how difficult
inquiry inward. Self-reflection begins other constricting label, we reduce
it is to pursue virtue in the midst of
with an awareness of incomplete their humanity to our preconceived
rancor, divisiveness and uncertainty.
knowledge about ourselves. It conception of who they are. Yet
But we have been doing this for 238
recognizes the complexity that millions of people succumb to the
years. There have been dark times
constitutes each person and the manipulation of these labels by political
before. Our commitment to purpose
lifelong task of deepening self- leaders. As these leaders pursue
sustains the light we pass on from
understanding. Self-inquiry, power by reducing their opponents to
student to student, class to class,
deepening our understanding of what caricatures, real issues go unaddressed.
generation to generation. We will
drives us and broadening awareness Real people are not heard.
stay focused on our mission and, in
of the complex contexts that shape us This is the opposite of the
doing so, serve as a model of learning,
are at the heart of being an educated educational process we pursue at
citizenship and civility.
adult. By avoiding these lines of Transylvania. Our education is a
inquiry and reflection, blind spots source of effective freedom. This
and biases develop. These biases freedom moves in two directions
deceive us into thinking we are open simultaneously. It is freedom from
to what is different and unknown ignorance and freedom to pursue the
when, in fact, we merely convince highest human goods. This freedom
ourselves that we understand the is compromised by incivility and the
other perfectly well. “They are just anger that drives it. While negative
wrong,” we tell ourselves. emotions might be the appropriate
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 5
THE DIGITAL THINKER
New initiative joins classical education with cutting-edge technology
Since the invention of the alphabet, mission. They started by meeting with more support for quantitative learning and
technologies have shaped how we learn, academic programs all over campus, expression. A lot of that involves analysis
communicate and interact with the world from nearly every discipline, and asking, and manipulation of data. We want all of
around us. Where would the liberal arts “What are you doing in your classrooms, our students to get better at that.”
be without paper, pens or the printing and how can we help?” Those simple As Hauman and Polashek gathered
press? How would we share ideas if not questions led to some eye-opening information on campus, they began
for the invention of the telephone, the discoveries. Many of the programs that, searching off campus for ideas that could
airplane or the internet? at first glance, aren’t associated with work for Transylvania. They talked with
As technology evolves at a dizzying digital technology, have already begun other schools who had set up Digital
pace in the 21st century, the liberal arts these discussions in their curriculum. Liberal Arts centers to see what they were
have had to reckon with what it means A conversation with the sociology doing. They spoke with local companies
to be a free thinker and a problem solver. department revealed that sociology who were interested in partnering with
Today we have infinite ways to observe professor Brian Rich has been teaching a Transylvania in the effort. And they
life’s big questions and no shortage of course on social media and mass culture for went through a training program at
means to discover their answers. years. Spanish professors were interested Miami University to learn to lead Faculty
Unlocking those methods is at the in having students produce video projects. Learning Communities, semester-long
heart of the mission of Transylvania’s Over and over, the pair heard from faculty discussion and training groups where
new Digital Liberal Arts initiative. that they had never considered a Digital professors learn how to incorporate
Launched in the fall of 2017, the Liberal Arts initiative could make a real digital technologies into their teaching
initiative is arming students and faculty difference in their own classrooms, but and brainstorm ways to implement them.
with powerful tools—not just to teach then the ideas kept flowing. They held the first learning community
them to be “techy,” but to help them to “We have a lot more people thinking in winter term 2018 and worked with
effectively make connections, keep up about digital technologies critically in a consultant from the University of
with innovation and enhance the entire their teaching,” says Polashek. “We’re not Kentucky’s Center for the Enhancement
academic experience. requiring anybody to do anything, but of Learning and Teaching to help lead
“People hear ‘Digital Liberal Arts’ rather we want to support faculty where the group and develop the projects the
and think that it’s a departure from they are. There is a lot of discussion for professors worked on.
traditional liberal education,” says
writing, rhetoric, and communication
professor Kerri Hauman, who chairs
the DLA initiative along with music
technology professor Tim Polashek.
“But the digital age is already here.
This is just recognizing the qualities of
liberal education to ask big questions
about humanity and values and being
productive citizens of the world—that’s
still what we’re doing. We just need to
be really good at making sure those
types of questions are at the forefront of
technological innovation.”
So once Hauman and Polashek
received their first grant from the
Bingham Program for Excellence in
ABOVE: Students use the dArt Lab, which is equipped with studio-quality music recording equipment
Teaching, they began searching for how and audio/video software.
digital technologies could serve Transy’s
6 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018
THE DIGITAL THINKER the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 7
ABOVE: French professor Brian Arganbright uses a Mondopad for a video chat during his May term course. In the meantime, a second Bingham integration specialist. Her position, interacting with these technologies in grant was funding upgrades to also funded by a Bingham grant, is so many different ways. It’s important technologies all around campus. The meant to ease the transition to digital to prepare them for interacting with the renovation of the Carpenter Academic technologies and help train faculty on tools they need to be successful in their Center allowed for the installation how to use all the new gear. She has lives after Transy. It’s important to give of new classroom technologies like already worked with this term’s Faculty them exposure and the skills that will Mondopads, large screens that function Learning Community, as well as several make them stand out.” as individual computers. They allow for other faculty members on how to use Even though the initiative is just 4K video, web browsing, collaborative the Mondopads and where they can beginning its second year, the benefits to presentations, video conferencing and integrate other digital technologies into the students are already taking shape. more. After visiting KET, Polashek the curriculum. Hauman connected junior Will Shelton designed a video capture studio “I try to encourage not just replacing with Patrick Lewis ’06, managing editor complete with a camera, lights and technology,” Jasnoff says. “It’s not of scholarly resources and publications a green screen that was installed in just using a Mondopad instead of a at the Kentucky Historical Society, who the basement of Cowgill, as was a full whiteboard, but rather what can a is working on the Civil War Governors podcasting studio. The Digital Art Lab Mondopad do that we couldn’t have done of Kentucky project, which is digitizing was upgraded with new computers and with a whiteboard? What can we do to tens of thousands of historical documents professional software, as well as studio- increase that collaborative interaction related to Kentucky’s three Civil War quality music recording equipment. and experience for the students? governors and creating digital resources In July, Transy hired Gabrielle Read “When students get out in the for teachers and historians. Shelton Jasnoff as digital content and technology real world with their careers, they’re started an internship with KHS to help 8 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018
THE DIGITAL THINKER
with the project in September. He’s
aiding in the research and annotating the
documents online, and eventually the
history major will be able to help put the
pieces together by blogging and creating
lesson materials.
“I really like the idea of making history
accessible,” he says. “For people to see
their own lives reflected in something
ABOVE: Staff of the Rambler student newspaper record a podcast in the new studio in Cowgill.
from the past is really cool. It’s taking
all this dense material and turning it
into something that can be accessible to
campus, Hauman and Polashek putting these two complicated ideas
teachers, to universities. together because we believe it’s important
expect the community to take its
“Everything is digital. Being able to for digital culture and liberal education
role in educating students to heart
do research and know how to use all to inform each other. Eventually we’ll be
and for Transylvania to be a leader
the different web resources is really able to drop the word ‘digital’ because it
in integrating the liberal arts and
important. If I’m going to go into this will just be what we’re doing here.”
field, I’m going to need the experience technology in this age.
and knowledge to use it.” “‘Digital’ is a complicated term, and
As the Digital Liberal Arts initiative ‘the liberal arts’ is a complicated phrase,”
continues to influence more of the Hauman says. “But we’re purposefully
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 9
Morlan exhibition examines relationship with data An upcoming exhibition in Transylvania’s Morlan Gallery will explore the relationship artists have with data. “Data, Mine,” will run from Jan. 16-Feb. 19 and feature the work of data visualization artists Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick. In the early 2000s, Elahi started an elaborate project in self-surveillance when he was mistakenly put on a terrorist watch list. His work examines issues of surveillance, citizenship, migration, transport and the challenges of borders and frontiers. Frick analyzes online dating information and creates colorful installations addressing friendship. Frick, an artist with a business background, is anticipating the future of data and envisioning a time when personal data is a unique glimpse into Art Talk and Reception our hidden personality. She is currently A reception and talk with the artists will be on Jan. 24 from 6-8 p.m. For mining data from the dating site OkCupid more information, visit transy.edu/morlan. to create visual patterns helping people to understand one another better. 10 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018
TRANSY 101
Transy 101
INTRO TO CIVILIT Y
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 11ABOVE: First-year ambassadors Emine Shinjatari, MacKenzie Sloan and Justin Hudnall.
Four short weeks into the new already reshaping their understanding of achievement and retention. This benefits the
academic year, the transformation can each other and themselves. individual and the institution.
already be felt among the 300 first-year The new campus theme, “On Civility,” “If we don’t tend to community first and
students. Minds are opening. Placement is central to their progress and is woven how to engage in that community first,”
in the world is altering. For the Class of into the earliest experiences of campus Piechowski notes, “we’re not helping our
2022, the most diverse in Transylvania’s life, including the First-Year Ambassador students in the transition to college, and
history, their emergence from an often program and First Engagements. we’re struggling in setting the foundation
homogeneous past to a multi-dimensional Through this immersive “crash course” for the rest of the year.”
present, from what was to what can be, is into life and academics at Transylvania, The process, LeVan explains, is meant
first-year students—whose origins range to push students to become “better
from Morgantown, Kentucky, to Tirana, scholars and, hopefully, better people
Albania—are quickly recognizing that along the way.” For many students,
before they can learn and connect with this is their first experience entering a
each other, they must first analyze their community that expresses different beliefs
own thinking. They must jiggle free from and ways of thinking. But what may
the rigor mortis that inhibits their ability to challenge and make people feel uneasy
listen, understand and see the humanity in is actually productive, and, as LeVan
those whose ideas differ from their own. reminds us, part of learning.
Overseeing the programs for first- “Learning to hold multiple positions
year students are Hannah Piechowski, in your thoughts is very important,” says
director of student transitions and parent Zoé Strecker, art professor and director
programming, and Mike LeVan, associate of the Creative Intelligence Series and
LEFT: Mike
LeVan, associate professor of professor of mathematics and director of special academic programming. She
mathematics and director of First Engagements First Engagements. Piechowski explains how emphasizes the value of Transy’s role in
RIGHT: Hannah Piechowski, director of student
openness and connection are important providing a safe place to hold challenging,
transitions and parent programming not only for learning and establishing complex conversations and to learn
community, but also for long-term student from people who are different from you.
12 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018Transy’s liberal arts effect change can be very powerful as maintaining that relationship. It’s allowing
tradition already builds long as that civility is accompanied by that understanding of a civil disagreement
empathy and encourages understanding and empathy.” to actually form a closer personal
thinking through Understanding and respecting differences relationship with the person with whom
other perspectives, but in culture, ethnicity, geography, gender you’re disagreeing.” The approach comes
TRANSY 101
expanding to define identity and socio-economic status are from “an intellectual standpoint,” he says.
civility introduces new integral to the journey that Transy’s Class of “I learned to do that here.”
dimensions. 2022 is making together. Their transition to Lamar, a student in his mid-20s who
“We presume an college and a new way of being in the world is familiar with the working world,
unspoken standard is the first step toward becoming productive understands the broader implications
of civility,” Strecker citizens off campus, too. The process is of what he’s learning. “It’s not just about
observes, “but in remarkably compelling and unifying for school,” he acknowledges. “This is
the world it’s not an young people from disparate backgrounds. preparing you for what life is going to be
unspoken standard.” “Coming from a different continent, like as a professional in the real world.”
Professors, student where I have interacted with the same One of 83 members of the incoming
scholars and student life type of people my whole life, and then class who participated in the new First-
staff planned an approach coming to Transy, where it is so diverse,” Year Ambassador program, Lamar arrived
to the curriculum and says Emine Shinjatari ’22 of Tirana, early on campus for training in leadership,
co-curricular events that Albania, “I have learned that civility team-building and preparing to serve as a
would incorporate an means more than just being nice. It means guide for the rest of the class throughout
exploration of civility. learning how to interact and connect with the coming year.
“Not prescribing civility,” others, thoughtfulness, and it encourages “We were all so different,” he remarks,
Piechowski carefully effective self-expression,” she discerns. describing the variety of backgrounds
noted, “but using civility “Civility means so much more than it and interests of the participants. “But the
as a way to talk about meant a month ago.” way we jelled was incredible.” Ultimately,
transition and newness.” For Chris Lamar ’22, who grew up in the ability to build community and
Early input from Covington, Kentucky, civility once meant understanding is possible, he believes,
two of last year’s First Engagements putting up walls between himself and because of the deeper knowledge
scholars, Rachel Halliday ’18 and Katie those who espouse contrary opinions. individuals gain about each other.
Tucker ’18, pointed out an uneasiness “Now that I’ve come to Transy,” he says, “I think Transy does a really good
surrounding a word that could represent “it’s about agreeing to disagree and still job of highlighting each individual’s
both respectful interaction and systems of
oppression. “They were huge in helping us
get to the place of discussion, not stance,”
Piechowski adds. As a result, the campus
theme became “On Civility,” which
welcomes exploration, rather than the
declaration, “Civility.”
Halliday, who is serving as the
AmeriCorps VISTA for Lexington’s
Pride Community Services Organization
during a gap year before medical school,
wanted to ensure that the complexities of
the word would be addressed, particularly
in the context of social justice. “If
someone is denying your humanity,”
Halliday notes, “how can you be civil to
them?” And yet, “that’s what it takes to
actually make meaningful change.”
So much of what is learned at Transy,
Halliday emphasizes, is about seeing
that humanity, understanding the why
and asking about the greater context.
“I think civility without context can
be dangerous. But civility as a tool to
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 13ABOVE: First Engagements scholar Josh Porter (right) guides first-year students.
strengths—what every person has to offer,” and empathy over simplicity and “my way His hope was that members of the Class
says Lamar. “Even if we’re different, if there or the highway.” of 2022 would learn to be comfortable with
is one person that I really disagree with, but During First Engagements, the week the idea of uncertainty and ending a class
we’re still friends, it’s because I got to see of classes and activities to orient the without having all of the questions resolved.
the strengths in that person before what I entire Class of 2022, professors and He enjoyed the progress they made.
may have previously viewed as weaknesses. scholars introduce first-year students to “A lot of them really grew; they realized
This place is just full of positivity.” the fundamentals of learning, modeling that they were part of something bigger
Another first-year ambassador, the interaction between
Justin Hudnall ’22 of tiny Morgantown, faculty and students,
Kentucky, recalls a team-building exercise academic achievement,
that illustrates how this works. Placed in and the relationship-
a canoe with someone from a different building that leads to “Being civil and actually
background and mindset, Hudnall, four years of productive having a discussion with
who describes growing up amidst like- classroom community.
minded people, paddled off together First Engagements
people instead of just arguing
with MacKenzie Sloan ’22, who came of scholar Josh Porter ’19, a with them back and forth to
age in Lexington. They were “amazed,” studio art and art history
he explains, “by what they learned from major, gives an example
try to get your point across,
each other about how small towns and big of one of the classes that ultimately makes us better
cities worked.” And they talked about a lot incorporated civility
of things. “That kind of opens your eyes,” into the curriculum.
human beings, which, in my
he notes. He co-taught “Civility opinion, is what a liberal arts
The focus on civility is important, says and Disagreement in
college should want to do.”
Sloan, “because it reminds us to promote Discourse” with Assistant
kindness and respect to those whose Professor of Chemistry
perspectives are different from our own.” Jessie Brown, in which
JUSTIN HUDNALL ’22
It’s a continuous effort. students were asked to
“Since I’ve been here,” Hudnall reflects, scrutinize the meaning of
“I’ve just been trying to grow as a person, civility and incivility.
really, to understand everyone’s point of “They were very advanced thoughts than themselves,” he recalls. “They were
view. I feel that understanding is the key.” and conversations,” Porter recalls. They able to recognize that their ideas and their
The broader metaphor of paddling eschewed simplistic interpretations of thoughts are just part of the community’s
together in a canoe, rather than in civility to toil over the inherent layers of thoughts. And just because they have an
intractable opposition, isn’t hard to miss. contradiction, such as civil disobedience. idea doesn’t mean it’s the only one or the
This is a pursuit that draws on a student’s “Following rules is civil,” Porter points right one.”
sense of being curious and courageous, out, “but also breaking rules for just These early experiences that help students
and a willingness to embrace complexity reasons can be civil.” form an open, supportive community
14 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018have significant implications for the entire
campus. The Class of 2022 enters the school CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE SERIES
year equipped for success, familiar with this As the academic year progresses, visiting artists, scholars and
new way of thinking, and with an advantage media makers continue the exploration of civility through
of having already begun to wrestle with the lectures, arts and musical programming. The impact extends to
TRANSY 101
complexities of civility. They’re developing the broader community as the general public is invited to attend.
important tools for the future.
“We’re training ourselves to take this “My hope,” says Zoé Strecker, art professor and series director,
out from the safe environment and be “is that these guests will give us the tools and inspiration to
good at it in places where that isn’t the expand our sense of civility and to put it into action. It is a
norm,” Strecker says. tremendous privilege to share these constructive experiments
She sees the benefit of nuance and with the community at large.”
uncertainty over the less fruitful
simplicity she sees dominating so many Highlights from the 2018-19 Creative Intelligence series:
large cultural conversations. “In our
setting here we can cultivate complexity
and allow it to be a guiding force.” We
make the journey together.
Dylan Marron
A popular podcaster who engages people who have
“To know that other people are also been uncivil toward him.
confused or uncertain or can see more October 8
than one way to imagine something—I
think that’s useful. That’s what we do
best,” Strecker continues. “We’re very
social creatures. We need each other to
Considering Matthew Shepard
A choral drama featuring the Grammy-winning
survive difficult things, to make difficult Conspirare singers.
decisions and to move forward.”
October 9
Moving through his first semester,
Chris Lamar is already seeing Transy’s
role and his potential defined. “Here we
see the problems in society,” he says, “but James Mustich
are working to fix those problems—to Author of "1,000 Books to Read Before Your Die:
A Life-Changing List."
help create people who are in positions to
October 18
fix those problems.”
The changes are palpable.
“I can feel that transition happening,”
says Lamar, “between being not formally Susan Weinstein
educated, having to really work for a living Brings forward the largely unheard voices of young
and constantly feeling like I’m spinning people making spoken word art.
my wheels in terms of having an impact November 8
on the world around me—versus—feeling
like after my four years here I might
actually be able to do something for Shaun Leonardo
others that’s meaningful. His art engages people in wordless public debate
“It’s been wildly world-changing in four about complex topics like gun violence and racial bias.
weeks,” he says. “I can’t imagine what four February 27
years will be like.”
Sir Salman Rushdie
A powerful literary artist who has shown sweeping
creative courage even against threats to his life.
For more Transylvania news March 27
from over the fall, visit our new
1780 blog at blog.transy.edu.
FREE admission and parking.
transy.edu/events
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 15TOP-LEVEL RESEARCH
“Not only will I be able to gain
valuable research experience and
school credit, but I also hope to conduct
research that is relevant and important
to issues in society.”
THOMAS SHELLENBERG,
SENIOR NEUROSCIENCE MAJOR
ABOVE: A representative from the neurodiagnostic medical technology company, EGI, gives an
instruction on how to use the new device, which will expand learning opportunities in Transylvania's
growing neuroscience program.
TRANSY STUDENTS CONDUCT
TOP-LEVEL RESEARCH WITH
NEW EEG SYSTEM
Transylvania recently installed an This complements what they learn in Senior neuroscience major Thomas
electroencephalogram system to record the classroom and makes them more Shellenberg said he is excited about
brain data—bringing the school on par competitive for graduate programs. the new system. “This opens up a huge
with many of the nation’s prestigious “The EEG system should be particularly opportunity for current and future
research institutes and university enticing to prospective students who would students,” he said, pointing out how the
neuroscience labs. like to pursue a major in neuroscience and close academic relationships students
“Our research capabilities with participate in research, all within a liberal develop with professors at Transy
this equipment will be as competitive arts environment,” Jurs said. increase the opportunities to use high-
as any other EEG lab,” Professor of The equipment supports a variety of tech equipment like the EEG system.
Psychology Bethany Jurs said. “In cross-campus collaboration. Having Shellenberg said he and his classmates will
addition to our research abilities, this an understanding of how the brain have greater access to these technologies
system will be a major asset to student works, after all, can give students compared to students at larger universities.
learning, particularly within our growing insight into behaviors and experiences Shellenberg hopes to use the EEG system
neuroscience program.” that tie into various disciplines, such under the guidance of Jurs this spring to
An EEG’s electrodes read brain as neuroeconomics, music cognition complete a study related to substance use.
waves through the scalp. Through its and social neuroscience. “Given the “Not only will I be able to gain valuable
neurorecording, Transylvania students collaborative nature of this campus, research experience and school credit,
can explore their scientific curiosity about extending brain recordings into other but I also hope to conduct research that is
how our brains function and result in fields has the potential to result in some relevant and important to issues in society,”
our conscious experience and behaviors. pretty awesome projects,” Jurs said. he said.
16 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018HONORING THOSE WHO
FREEDOM'S CAUSE
‘CONTRIBUTED …
TO FREEDOM’S CAUSE’
Transylvania students answered the call to duty during World War I
ABOVE: A photo taken following the induction ceremony for the Transylvania Student Army Training Corps on Oct. 1, 1918.
Twenty-four days after the United States Transylvania’s Student Army Training
entered World War I in April 1917, Robert Corps contained eighty-five men. Five red
McLachlan, class of 1919 and a native of stars are on Transylvania’s service flag for “To the World War Transylvania gave one
Dry Ridge in Grant County, Kentucky, her five young women who went into the Major General, one Brigadier General,
enlisted in the U.S Army. He was one of service as nurses.”
27 young men who left the classrooms of While 32 men and women left Transy three Lieutenant Colonels, eight Majors,
Transylvania for the battlefields of Europe. to join the war efforts, the Student Nineteen Captains, thirty-six Lieutenants,
McLachlan served as a corporal in Army Training Corps was organized on
Company F of the 16th Infantry Division. campus “for the purpose of supplying and two hundred and ninety-one
After enlisting at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, the American Army with educated and non-commissioned officers and privates.”
he “left the United States June 6th as trained men for officers,” the Crimson
Pershing’s Standard Bearer,” according to staff wrote. On Oct. 1, 1918, 85 students
the Crimson yearbook from 1919. were voluntarily inducted into service.
20, 1918, Transylvania’s Student Army
He never returned to the U.S., to One of the campus buildings, Ewing Hall,
Kentucky or Transylvania. was converted into an Army barracks. Training Corps was demobilized, and
Robert McLachlan was killed in action Even an unfortunate breakout of the students returned to their studies.
July 19, 1918. He is buried at Aisne-Marne flu, which closed the college, provided an The Crimson editorial staff in 1919
American Cemetery in Belleau, France. opportunity for the corps. “Hikes, drill, described how it was impossible to
Looking back on the centennial of the inspections, signaling, athletic pastimes, ascertain the names of all of the sons—and
Nov. 11 armistice, we honor his service bayonet work and fatigue duty took up now daughters—of Transylvania who have
and reflect on many others called to duty. most of the day.” When uniforms and rifles war records, “but in every conflict since
The 1919 Crimson yearbook details those for the corps members were delayed, they 1780, the year the Virginia Legislature
Pioneers who served: took time to organize a band, “and the passed an act to establish a seminary in
“To the World War Transylvania gave ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was played every Kentucky … a great number of [those]
one Major General, one Brigadier General, afternoon at retreat.” According to one connected with the institution … have
three Lieutenant Colonels, eight Majors, report, the Transylvania group was the contributed largely to freedom’s cause.”
Nineteen Captains, thirty-six Lieutenants, “best drilled unit” in a three-state territory. We honor those from our university
and two hundred and ninety-one Less than six weeks after the unit stood community and beyond who have for
non-commissioned officers and privates. up, the armistice was signed. By Dec. generations answered the call to serve.
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 17Welcome C L A S S O F 2 0 2 2 18 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018
IN PHOTOGRAPHS
1 2
3 4
3
5
1. Transy welcomes more than 300 3. Joseph Gearon ’18, Mary 4. Erica Horn ’83, co-founder of 5. C. Shawn McGuffey ’98, a Boston
new Pioneers on move-in day. Gearon ’22 and their mom, Paula GleanKY, which harvests excess College professor, gives the
Hornback Gearon ’89, attend produce to fight hunger, receives an keynote speech at convocation.
2. SGA President Jocelyn Lucero
the Legacy Welcome Lunch for honorary degree at convocation. He discussed how his
’19 gives the thumbs-up on
incoming students whose parents, experiences at Transy impacted
move-in day.
grandparents or siblings are his approach to social justice
Transy alumni. work and civic participation.
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 196
6. Don Dugi, professor of
political science and program
director of political science
and P.P.E., provides the
perfect introduction to
Transy’s academic life.
7. New faculty member Tosha
Fowler leads an acting
class. She holds the Lucille
C. Little Endowed Chair in
Theater and is director of the
Theater Program.
8. This is the first full school year
for classes in the renovated
7 8 Carpenter Academic Center,
formerly Haupt Humanities.
Outfitted with cutting-edge
technologies, Carpenter
features modernized
classrooms, seminar rooms,
gathering spaces and
faculty offices.
9. First-year students were part
of the Transy dance team at
the Battle on Broadway at
Rupp Arena.
10. A word from Coach Brian
Lane before the Battle on
Broadway, an exhibition
basketball game between
Transylvania and the
University of Kentucky. Six
of our first-year students
9 performed in front of tens of
thousands of basketball fans
on Oct. 26 at Rupp Arena.
11. Let the Bat Walk to Rupp
Arena begin!
10 11
20 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018Transylvania invites community to PumpkinMania New Frontiers embraces multiple disciplines,
backgrounds and perspectives in a process
campus that is vastly challenging, entertaining and,
ultimately, transformative.
CAMPUS NEWS
Many of these events are also part of
NEWS
our Creative Intelligence Series, which
incorporates the theme of civility into lectures
and performances.
October events included Dylan Marron, a
To stay informed
popular podcaster who engages people who
about the latest Transylvania
have been uncivil toward him; the Smith
news, visit our website
Transylvania invited the community Concert Series presentation of “Considering
at transy.edu.
to campus for the eighth annual Matthew Shepard,” a choral drama featuring
PumpkinMania the night before Halloween. the Conspirare singers; and James Mustich,
Hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns lit up the Old author of “1,000 Books to Read Before You
Morrison steps during the event, and campus Die: A Life-Changing List.”
organizations hosted trick-or-treating. Upcoming New Frontiers events are: the
“As this event continues to grow, we’ve “Data, Mine” art talk and exhibition with
added more food trucks, an activities Hasan Elahi and Laurie Frick on Jan. 24;
area for kids, more space for trick-or- Shaun Leonardo, an award-winning artist
treating, as well as an information center who uses performance practice to unravel the
and meeting location,” said Hannah complexities of human interaction, on Feb.
Piechowski, director of student transitions 27; and Sir Salman Rushdie, “On Civility,” the
and parent programming at Transylvania William R. Kenan Jr. Lecture on March 27.
and PumpkinMania committee chair.
“PumpkinMania celebrates so many things Transylvania climbs 11 spots in U.S. News &
I love about working at Transylvania—a World Report national rankings
wonderful campus, amazing neighbors, the Transylvania moved
downtown community and fall.” up 11 places this year in
Events surrounding PumpkinMania the U.S. News & World
included pumpkin carving for the public Report Best Colleges
and a float in the Lexington Thriller and rankings released in
Halloween Parade. September.
The university ranked
Transylvania announces 2018-19 feature event 76th among the nation’s
series New Frontiers top liberal arts colleges.
Transylvania also placed
60th in the list of Best
Value Colleges, which is
based on factors such as price, quality of the
program, average discount and number of
students receiving need-based financial aid.
When ranking Transylvania, U.S. News
considered the university’s small class sizes—
78 percent have fewer than 20 students—and
the fact that 95 percent of faculty have the
This year, the public is invited to go beyond highest degrees in their fields.
the familiar and explore ideas, art and music Other factors included Transylvania’s
with a new feature event series hosted on high 75 percent graduation rate, student
campus. The New Frontiers 2018-19 season selectivity and retention, the amount spent on
focuses on the university’s year-long campus instruction and other student services, and
theme—On Civility—and the debate over its the alumni giving rate.
role in shaping citizens and communities.
From a lecture by a world-renowned
author to a Grammy-nominated oratorio,
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 21Bryan Station, Transylvania announce partnership County Clare, the program will also offer of focuses—from government
to provide scholarships to IT Academy graduates excursions to Galway, the Aran Islands, funding to education to design to
Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher and Dublin. economic development.
The program runs from May 31 to
June 22, 2019. Transylvania announces 2018 Pioneer
Transylvania students can receive Hall of Fame Class
financial assistance to participate in the
program through the Earle and Cathy
O’Donnell Endowment for Irish Studies.
The endowment is named after Earle
O’Donnell, a graduate of Transy’s Class of
1971, and his wife, Cathy.
Beginning in 2019, graduates of the
Academy of Information Technology State-of-the-art technology enhances safety
at Bryan Station High School will be of North Broadway crosswalk
eligible to receive a minimum $18,000
scholarship to attend Transylvania. The Announced at an October banquet, the
newly announced partnership not only 2018 Pioneer Hall of Fame Class features
recognizes the achievements of academy five sports standouts: John Mack ’69 and
graduates, but also provides them with a Bill Duty ’69, a dynamic doubles tennis
path to further their education at one of pairing; Janet Mattingly ’81, one of the first
the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. great players in the history of Transylvania
“The work Bryan Station and its women’s basketball; Chris Huffman ’94,
academies are doing to empower a cornerstone for the great Transylvania
individuals to become globally minded men’s basketball squads of the early ’90s;
citizens goes hand-in-hand with our Partnering with the state, Transylvania and Alissa Richardson LaLonde ’96, who
mission at Transylvania,” President improved campus safety through the set the bar for athletic excellence across all
Seamus Carey said. “We want students addition of state-of-the-art technology and Transylvania sports during her time on the
from throughout our community to know major renovations to campus grounds. women’s tennis team.
they can afford a top-level liberal arts The North Broadway crosswalk “It is always an exciting time to usher in
education right here in Lexington, and between Third and Fourth streets has been new Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees,” said
we’re taking the steps to help make that equipped with rectangular rapid-flashing Holly Sheilley, vice president for enrollment
happen for them.” beacons, which feature motion sensors and student life. “Transylvania has had a
that activate multiple flashing lights when storied history of success in athletics, and
Transylvania launches new study abroad summer pedestrians approach. The signals are each new inductee allows us to celebrate
program in Ireland open to all college students especially helpful at dusk and night when these accomplishments.”
motorists may have a difficult time seeing
pedestrians. Men’s basketball takes on UK
Also, the university permanently closed in preseason matchup
a semicircular roadway/parking lot in
front of the newly renovated Carpenter
Academic Center, formerly the Haupt
Humanities building. Brick pavers were
installed in its place to create a walkway,
which provides access to campus for
emergency vehicles.
College students will join Transylvania
for a new, three-week summer program Transylvania hosts Kentucky Bike-Walk Summit
that will immerse them in Ireland’s rich More than 300 community leaders
tradition of art and literature. and advocates from across the state On Oct. 26, Transy's NCAA Division
Transylvania in Ireland includes gathered at Transylvania in August for the III men's basketball team tipped off its
courses taught by the university’s faculty Kentucky Bike-Walk Summit. 2018-19 campaign against the Division
along with local and regional experts The conference explored how to I University of Kentucky at Rupp Arena.
in folklore, writing, music and dance. improve cycling and walking options Transy came away with a 94-66 loss in
Based at the Burren College of Art in and safety in Kentucky through a variety a preseason contest that rekindled the
22 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018crosstown “Battle on Broadway” rivalry.
The teams last met in the 2013-14 season.
This year’s game honored the late C.M.
Newton, who passed away in June at age
CAMPUS NEWS
88. A patriarch of the Transylvania men’s
basketball program, Newton coached the
Pioneers over three stints for 12 seasons
and later went on to become athletics
director at UK from 1989-2000, guiding
Kentucky through one of the most robust
eras in school history.
“I love that we are recognizing
Coach Newton and all of his significant
contributions to both Transylvania and
the University of Kentucky with this
game,” said Transylvania Coach Brian
Lane. “He always spoke about his years at
Transy as being a truly special time in the
lives of his family. We are extremely proud
that he started his Hall of Fame career as
a Pioneer.”
First-year triathlete makes splash in
inaugural season
First-year student Elizabeth Moore
Get the latest Transy news and updates
Finding the latest news and event information about Kentucky’s first
won the first three races of the inaugural university just got easier with the launch of 1780, the official blog of
season for the Pioneer women’s triathlon Transylvania University.
team this fall. Moore also finished as Online at blog.transy.edu, 1780 curates articles on events at
the individual national runner-up in the Transylvania, provides admissions advice, publishes news releases and is
NCAA Division III Women's Collegiate the host site for In Lumine, President Seamus Carey’s blog.
Triathlon National Championships “We want to make it easy for alumni, students, faculty, staff and our
in Arizona on Nov. 4. Additionally, community to find out what’s happening at Transylvania,” said Megan
she earned both All-Region Freshman Moloney, vice president for marketing and communications. “Now, when
and All-Region Team honors from the you visit our website, the latest news is just one click away—either from the
College Triathlon Coaches Association 1780 news ticker on the home page, or by clicking on ‘News & Events’ from
by winning the NCAA's Central Regional any page on transy.edu.”
Qualifier in Kingsport, Tennessee, against Named for the year Transylvania was founded, the blog features several
teams that included Division I schools. sections that highlight various topics, including top stories, news from
Transy, the Admissions Insider, recent posts and articles on events that are
part of the New Frontiers season.
Since its soft-launch in September, 1780 has generated 50 percent more
page views on the transy.edu website than the previous news section.
Articles are also more easily shareable on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn
via social-share buttons at the end of each story.
To visit 1780, go to blog.transy.edu.
the magazine of TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY 23SAVE THE DATE Transy professor, alum edit ‘Black Bone’
Affrilachian poetry collection
Bianca Lynne
Transylvania professor’s ‘Elkhorn’ book wins
Thomas D. Clark Medallion
Richard Taylor,
JAN. 16-FEB. 19, 2019 Spriggs ’03 and Transylvania
“Data, Mine” exhibition Transylvania
professor
University’s Kenan
Visiting Writer and a
Morlan Gallery Jeremy Paden former Kentucky poet
have edited a laureate, has received
JAN. 22, 2019 collection of the Thomas D. Clark
both new and Medallion for his
Cincinnati Alumni and classic works by new book, “Elkhorn:
Friends Reception Affrilachian Poets called “Black Bone.” Evolution of a Kentucky Landscape.”
This illuminating and powerful Named after the founder of the
University Club of Cincinnati, 5:30–7 p.m. collection is a testament to a University Press of Kentucky, the
groundbreaking group and its enduring medallion is awarded to one book each
FEB. 7, 2019 legacy in acknowledgment of its year for highlighting the state’s history
Naples Alumni and silver anniversary. Reprinted by the
University Press of Kentucky earlier
and culture. The University Press
released “Elkhorn” in September.
Friends Reception this year, “Black Bone: 25 Years of the “I'm honored to be a recipient
Naples Yacht Club, 6-8 p.m. Affrilachian Poets” features writing of an award named for Dr. Clark,
by Spriggs and Paden, along with whom I knew and greatly admired
Frank X Walker, Nikky Finney, Crystal for his writings, his character and his
MARCH 27, 2019 Wilkinson and many others. encouragement of others to look into the
William R. Kenan Jr. Lecture Walker coined the term deep but shimmering well of Kentucky
with Sir Salman Rushdie “Affrilachia” to give identity and voice
to people of African descent from this
history,” Taylor said.
He lives in a historic home he restored
Haggin Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. region and to highlight Appalachia’s near the banks of Elkhorn Creek, a
multicultural identity. tributary of the Kentucky River.
APRIL 11, 2019 Transylvania hosted a reading and
Morlan Gallery art exhibition by the
“Through his love of Elkhorn Creek
and his gift with storytelling, Taylor
Southern California Alumni group last year. presents readers with a powerful picture
and Friends Reception Spriggs is a writer, multidisciplinary of a place that has impacted so many and
artist and assistant professor of English served as a touchstone for Taylor and
The home of Cole Rucker '85, at Ohio University. She is the recipient of others like him,” according to University
Malibu, 7-9:30 p.m. a Kentucky Arts Council 2013 Al Smith Press of Kentucky. “His adoration for
Individual Arts Fellowship in Poetry the land and desire to preserve it and its
APRIL 26-28, 2019 as well as multiple artist-enrichment
grants from the Kentucky Foundation for
history are hypnotic in their intensity.”
Taylor gave a reading from “Elkhorn”
Alumni Weekend Women. Spriggs is the author or coeditor at a Transylvania event sponsored by the
of a number of books, including “Kaffir Thomas D. Clark Foundation in October.
Lily,” “Call Her by Her Name” and “The He earned a B.A. in English from
JULY 22, 2019 Galaxy Is a Dance Floor.” the University of Kentucky in 1963, an
DOC General Assembly Alumni Paden is a professor of Spanish M.A. in English from the University
and Friends Luncheon and Latin American literature at of Louisville in 1964, a J.D. from the
Transylvania. His poems have appeared University of Louisville School of Law
Iowa Convention Center, Des Moines, in such places as the Atlanta Review, in 1967 and a Ph.D. in English from
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Beloit Poetry Journal, Cortland Review, UK in 1974. His other books include
Louisville Review, Naugatuck River “Sue Mundy: A Novel of the Civil War,”
Review, pluck! and Rattle. He is the “Girty” and “Earth Bones.”
MAY 25, 2019 author of three collections of poems,
Commencement “Broken Tulips,” “ruina montium” and
Old Morrison Lawn, 9 a.m. "prison recipes,” and he is a recipient of
a Kentucky Arts Council 2019 Al Smith
Individual Artist Fellowship in poetry.
24 THIRD & BROADWAY FALL | WINTER 2018You can also read
