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Student Life Celebrates Food Pantry’s Grand Re-Opening

Jack Thomas

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November 21, 2023

Student Life Celebrates Food Pantry’s Grand Re-Opening

With final exams just around the corner, students may be wondering where they can nab a quick breakfast, a study snack, or an easy dinner option, all in hopes of saving time and money. The days of scrambling to ‘caf’ at the last minute or reluctantly DoorDashing Taco Bell may be coming to a close thanks to a convenient addition to the Campus Center.

Campus Center Ryan is all smiles next to his array of delicious snacks

On Friday, November 3rd, our Student Life staff were proud to announce the grand re-opening of the student food pantry. Located upstairs in the Engagement Center, the grab-and-go system now sports additional shelving space and a full-size refrigerator. The unveiling featured a short speech on the history and future of the pantry from Michael Covert, Dean of Students, and it wouldn’t be a campus center event without Ryan Benjamin and his popcorn machine.

The pantry has been located in the Engagement Center since January 2022 and is often advertised to students who stay on campus over breaks (such as the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday) as a food option when dining services are closed. Its ongoing existence and advertisement made the food storage’s “grand re-opening” slightly confusing, but talking with Dean Covert about its humble beginnings and intended direction cleared things up.

The student food pantry first started 8-10 years ago and was placed in the counseling office with the student well-being staff. However, as accessibility and storage issues arose, the service was moved to the Engagement Center. The space is by no means perfect, as it is a reservable room and a popular study location, making some students hesitant to visit the pantry with privacy concerns in mind. However, it remains “the best location available at this time.”

Dean Covert cutting the ribbon at Friday’s ceremony

Dean Covert acknowledged the challenges of this space but was reassuring in the efforts that he and the rest of our staff were ready to put in, stating “You can contact Student Life at any time, and we are happy to pick up stuff for you.” As long as the Campus Center is open, students can expect to have access to the pantry, which will be refilled as often as necessary as Student Life determines how often students will be using the resource.

The re-introduction of the pantry didn’t have to do with the space, but rather its operation. Up until this point, the pantry’s existence has relied on donations from athletics teams, the Transylvania Women’s Society, and other organizations. Towards the end of this summer, arrangements were made by Associate Vice President of Advancement Cara Covert to solidify alumni donations that would ensure “more food, more regularly” in the food pantry, marking a large step forward for the student service. This funding also opened the door to the installment of a refrigerator, which will be stocked with perishable goods, frozen meals, and more. Dean Covert also hopes that commuters who pack their lunches will take advantage of the space.

Sharing food cultivates community, and seeing Transy take a step in the right direction is promising for what is to come. If you’re looking for a quick bite, stop by the student engagement center’s new and improved food pantry, and feel free to donate dry goods, non-perishables, and toiletries to continue the cycle of good deeds. You can also make requests for any food or beverages you’d like to see added to the mix!

Your Honor, League of Legends; Transy Esports Completes First Season in New Game

Grantland Phelps

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November 20, 2023

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Your Honor, League of Legends; Transy Esports Completes First Season in New Game

The Transylvania League of Legends Esports Team recently finished their first competitive season. I had the opportunity to talk with members of the team about how they felt about this season, what they hope to accomplish, and more. I am excited about the League of Legends Esports team here, as I also play the game and have a great deal of respect for the players on the team who are excelling in the scene.

League of Legends is a multiplayer game in which two teams of five players try to destroy a central point on the map to win. Five roles are possible, with each player having their role and lane. The roles include Top (up-front battling warriors), Middle (powerful mages and rogues), Bottom (the ranged marksman for the team), Support (helps out Bottom at the start of the game and goes on to help the rest of the team later), and Jungle (roams around the map trying to slay opposing champions and claim significant objectives). League of Legends is a complex game to master, with 165 different characters each with their own unique playstyle, advantages, and disadvantages. Transy’s team has taken it upon themselves to take their skills to the competitive scene.

When asked about his position as the team captain, Tyler McAuley, who plays the crucial role of Jungle, said that he helps organize team practices along with the head coach, Dylan Osborne. I was able to get a first-hand look at what these practices are like. I can tell from my knowledge of the game that Tyler is skilled at teaching the team new tips and techniques, puts his whole heart into playing with the team, and wants to see the team succeed. What makes his role as team captain all the more special is that he is a first-year at Transy. Tyler was able to claim the position of captain not due to seniority but out of pure skill and knowledge of the mechanics of the game, which is also why he is the highest-ranked on the team in the in-game ranking system.

Next up is Pen Vandiver, another first-year Transy, who is “running it down mid,” or the middle lane. Pen is a bit newer to the game than some of the veterans of the team, but he still performs his role and is to be reckoned with like the rest of his teammates. When asked how well the team would perform in the playoffs this season, he admitted he felt some pressure but was reassured that he and his team would win the matches.

The Bottom or Attack Damage Carry role is manned by sophomore Spencer Lorenz. Despite only sometimes being able to make it to all the team’s matches due to other commitments, Spencer outperforms the opposing team every time. He commented that he is always relaxed when playing as he knows the team has his back if he ever falls behind in a game.

Playing the role of Support for the team is Chad Sweeney, who is also a second-year. As someone who also plays Support in League of Legends, I believe that good Support can make or break a team, and Chad definitely does the former. Chad is constantly striving to do better, trying to improve his gameplay and mechanics to help out the team whenever he can, as whenever the Support is improving, the entire team improves. Chad felt great about this season, with the team going 5-2 in their round-robin league.

Two people play the role of Top Lane: Nate Miller, a sophomore, and Tim Dousay, a freshman. When asked if either player felt like they were competing against each other, both responded that they felt that was not the case and that they pushed each other to play better. Nate has been playing League of Legends for over 10 years which has helped him understand the game inside and out, even with the many changes the game has experienced over the years. Tim has also been playing for a long time and loves to play any role the game offers, preferring Top and Jungle. Typically Tim is the one who is filling in for players who can not make it to the matches, resulting in some of the team’s favorite plays as Tim is a bit of a wild card.

The team made it to the playoffs with a winning record but was unfortunately knocked out of the first round. However, they still demonstrated their skills in their matches and gave their opponents a run for their money, winning one out of three matches. Unlike most teams at Transy, the League of Legends Esports Team plays a season per semester, and, from what this reporter can gather, the team is still working hard, with every member still playing the game to better hone their skills for the upcoming winter season. So be sure to keep an eye out for this ferocious team on campus and be sure to tune in to their matches, which are streamed on the TransyEsports page on Twitch.

Hold Your Horses; Transy Eventing Shows Out On Campus

Sports & Health

Nate Brother

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November 17, 2023

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Hold Your Horses; Transy Eventing Shows Out On Campus

During open hour on Thursday, November 2nd, students making their way through campus were drawn to the front of Old Morrison by an exciting sight. Three horses were calmly grazing on the lawn in front of the building. Transylvania’s Eventing Team had made its way to campus for a special meet and greet with their horses. The three horses, Moose, Felicity Doll (Fiz), and Aunt Tipsy (Tippy), were accompanied by their riders, Lily Callahan, Katrina Kottra, and Liz Howell respectively. I had the opportunity to speak with Howell about her experiences with Eventing and the response to the event from the Transy community.

Eventing is an equestrian sport where a horse and rider compete across three disciplines; dressage, cross country, and show jumping. Howell, who has been close to horses her entire life, talked about how she had only started competing in eventing relatively recently. “I actually didn’t start eventing until I joined the team!” said Howell. “It was something I’d always been interested in, and my mare, Tippy, didn’t have the right skill set to keep advancing in what we’d been doing up to that point, so making the switch seemed like a good idea.” Being in a region known for horses, it is no surprise that Lexington has a long eventing tradition, with one of the world’s largest eventing competitions, the Kentucky Three-Day Event, having been held in the Kentucky Horse Park annually since 1978. Howell emphasized how the Eventing opportunities with the team and in Lexington were a key part of her decision to attend Transy.

Aunt Tipsy enjoying the apples fed to her by community members

Despite horses being as important as they are to the region surrounding Transylvania, the Eventing team is often overlooked when compared to other campus sports and activities, either due to a general lack of knowledge of the sport or people being unaware of the team’s existence. The idea of bringing the horses to campus was proposed by Team Manager Kelly Shores as a way to introduce eventing to campus, and a way to thank those who had supported the team. “This year, we’ve really been trying to reconnect with campus as a team, because that’s something that hasn’t always been emphasized and I often am met with surprise that the team exists when I tell one of my peers that I’m on it,” said Howell. “Bringing the horses to Transy was a really great way to let the community meet the entire team and give back in a way to the school that has supported us!” At the event, students passing through stopped by and interacted with the horses, petting them, taking pictures, and feeding them apple chunks that had been provided by the team. Members of the team stood by to answer questions about their horses and eventing in general.

The event was a rousing success, as dozens of students came by during the hour-long event. Howell expressed gratitude at the positive feedback to the event she had received from the Transy community and was confident that this event and the impact it had on the people who attended it would enable the team to connect with campus more in the future. “Tippy met people who had never been close to a horse before, and it was really great seeing everyone from toddlers to students to faculty bonding with her,” said Howell. “I’m certain that many people around campus will not only remember the eventing team exists now but also walk away with a better understanding of our sport and why we love being partners with these animals.” Those who stopped by the Old Morrison lawn that day certainly had an unforgettable experience, and hopefully gained a newfound understanding of and appreciation for Transylavnia’s Eventing team.

Transy Volleyball Wins Fifth Straight HCAC Tournament Championship; Prepares for NCAA Tournament

Sports & Health

Nate Brother

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November 16, 2023

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Transy Volleyball Wins Fifth Straight HCAC Tournament Championship; Prepares for NCAA Tournament

On November 12th, the Transylvania Pioneers Volleyball team clinched the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title for the fifth year in a row, defeating the Mount St. Joseph University Lions in the championship game. With this win, the Pioneers, who are currently ranked #17 in the country, clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For the second year in a row, the HCAC regular season title came down to a late-season match between two teams undefeated in the conference. Like last year, those two teams were the Pioneers and the Mount St. Joseph University Lions. Unlike last year however, where the Pioneers handedly defeated the Lions 3-0 to earn the regular season crown in the Beck Center, the Pioneers had to travel to Mount St. Joseph on November 1st, where they lost a back-and-forth 3-1 match. The Lions were able to clinch the regular season crown with that win, as well as hosting rights for the Conference Tournament. The Pioneers won out for the remainder of the regular season, clinching a 23-6 record on the season and the #2 seed in the conference tournament.

The Pioneers faced off against the #6 seed Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers in the semifinal round of the tournament. After trading the first two sets in very close fashion, the Pioneers pulled away, winning both of the final two sets by at least 11 points to win the match 3-1. Juniors Cate Scheper and Kayden Holcomb led the team with 15 and 14 kills respectively, with Holcomb also having 8 blocks. The win set up a rematch with the Lions in the championship on the 12th, only 11 days after their previous match. After dropping the first set to the Lions, the Pioneers would take an early lead in the second set that, while Mount St. Joseph would threaten, they would never relinquish, with back-to-back attack errors by the Lions sealing the set for the Pioneers. After winning a close third set to put them one set away from the championship, the Pioneers would jump out to a 14-4 lead in the fourteen set. While the Lions would pull closer with a 5-0 run, the Pioneers would not let history repeat itself and responded with a run of their own, eventually winning the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.

With this win, the Pioneers secured their fifth straight HCAC Tournament Championship. The Pioneers also took home several tournament honors, with Holcomb and Seniors Grace Ward and Ava Beltsos being named to the All-Tournament Team. Beltsos, who racked up 61 digs over the Pioneer’s two tournament games, was named Tournament MVP. Ward was also honored for winning HCAC Player of the Year in a season where she became the first player in Transylvania history to eclipse 4,000 career assists.

By winning the conference tournament, the #17 Pioneers secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers will travel to Holland, Michigan to compete in the Hope College Regional. Transylvania’s first tournament match will come on Thursday the 16th, where the Pioneers will face the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders. The semifinals and finals of the regional will take place the following Friday and Saturday.

A Tempest is Brewing: An Inside Look at Transy Theatre’s Latest Production

Fallon Cross

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November 15, 2023

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A Tempest is Brewing: An Inside Look at Transy Theatre’s Latest Production

From November 15th through the 19th, the Transylvania Theatre Department will be performing William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The show, which has been in production since September, is directed by Derrick Ledbetter. The Tempest is the story of the magician Prospera plotting her revenge after a family betrayal. When Prospera shipwrecks her enemies on her island, will she carry out her revenge or find peace and reconciliation?

I interviewed two cast members; Samantha Farr (‘26) and Luke Aguilar (‘27) about the time they’ve spent working on this performance. I first asked how they felt about their respective roles of Prospera and Ferdinand. Samantha responded that the role of Prospera was, “Intimidating to say the very least. Not only is this my first-ever lead, but it is also my first time doing a work from Shakespeare. Every role comes with their own challenges, and this one is no different…It took time and a good bit of work, but I am so proud of every step that has been made along the way.” Luke, playing Ferdinand, remarked, “I feel incredibly lucky to be playing Ferdinand as my first role because my experiences with his

character have been super fun…I don’t think I’ll ever forget my time as Ferdinand, and I am excited to see where Transy Theater takes me next!” It was clear during my interview that both actors are passionate about their roles and we can look forward to a great performance from them.

Next, I asked Samantha and Luke about their interpretation of The Tempest’s story and themes. “The Tempest is a story about the complexity of forgiveness and humanity,” replied Samantha, “The characters drive the story and they are all interlinked in some form or fashion and are caught in their own internal storms as well as actually dealing with the tempest itself.” Luke responded, “I think that The Tempest is about discovery… many characters face sorrow in this play, but the important part is that sorrow does not mean the end.” Everyone has a different perspective on the themes of The Tempest, and you can only discover the truth if you come and see this performance for yourself!

To close our interview I asked the two of them for any additional thoughts they’d like to impart to readers. Samantha commented, “The show is not only a great showcase of acting but the technical designers and crew have done an absolutely amazing job of making the magic come to life…The tech is so enchanting that it makes the show an absolute must-see.” Luke said, “The acting process can be very difficult and tiring at times, but for me, it’s always worth it…I have had lots of fun working with my fellow actors, and our director, David Ledbetter, has done a phenomenal job guiding us through the show.” There is a lot of work that goes into putting on a show and it is clear that so much time and passion has gone into The Tempest. I can confidently say that we can look forward to another amazing performance from the Transylvania Theater Department!

Patrick Lee Lucas’s “Athens on the Frontier” & Old Morrison

Campus Life

Mary Rose Beeken

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November 14, 2023

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Patrick Lee Lucas’s “Athens on the Frontier” & Old Morrison

Opening his “Athens on the Frontier” talk on Thursday, November 9th, University of Kentucky professor Patrick Lee Lucas clearly set the tone for the story he was telling in his book: “It really is a story that starts almost with this building… I think sometimes academics sort of fool themselves into thinking that what life is all about is really these esoteric topics – but really, mine is ‘What is home about?’, ‘What is Lexington about?’ and I think you’ll see that is kind of the theme that runs through the conversation today.” The story heavily featured Transylvania University’s very own Old Morrison, which he spent much of his talk discussing, the building hosting the talk in its chapel.

The chapel’s atmosphere was warm and friendly, with the majority of those in attendance being friends of Lucas and people who were knowledgeable about his work. Even as more of an outsider in the room, I instantly found myself engrossed in Lucas’s narrative. As he told us, Lexington was and is known to many as the “Athens of the West,” one of two with that exact title, and one of 18 cities in the US with the “Athens of the ____” title. It was a nickname the city took to highlight its role as a cultural center not only of the state but of the entire Western United States. This is accentuated by the influence of the Greek architectural style on residential, clerical, educational, commercial, and civic buildings. He emphasized the importance of Greek revival architecture in Lexington, not only due to its title as the “Athens of the West” but also because Lexington was often perceived as the wilderness. This perception made these old Greek revival-style buildings even more striking.

While the conversation included much more information on Greek revival architecture and Lexington itself, the discussion of Old Morrison intrigued me the most, especially as a Transy student. The fire that destroyed the original Old Morrison building was discussed, as well as the construction of the new building authorized five years later and the importance of its location. During the Q&A portion of the talk, Lucas highlighted that Morrison is one of the three national landmarks in Lexington. The building is highly recognizable and leaves an impression because of where it sits, with its white color and location on a hill making it stand out. Morrison is a significant example of the influence of Greek revival architecture on the style of buildings in Lexington.

Following his talk, Patrick Lee Lucas invited all attendees to a reception in the Gratz Perk Café, which included cider, cookies, and an opportunity to purchase Lucas’s book and get it signed—a lovely closing to a night of learning.

Nobuntu: More Than an A Cappella Group

Arts & Entertainment

Isa Slaughter

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November 13, 2023

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The 2023 Smith Concert Series featured the a cappella quartet, Nobuntu, on Saturday, November 4th. The concert began with the four members walking out on stage and standing at four evenly spaced microphones. They were all donned in different forms of traditional dress from four different regional tribes, creating a wonderful cultural atmosphere that embraced the diversity within Zimbabwe. The group sings a cappella, using only small wooden blocks, their hands and feet, and their voices as instruments. Each movement was purposeful, a key element to the whole performance.

Going into the show, I anticipated about an hour of satisfying harmonies and fun music. What I got was a fully engaging and culturally immersive experience. The singers spoke to the audience like we were friends, almost like we were a part of the performance. They interacted with us whenever they could, telling us the meaning behind certain words and certain songs and explaining the significance of dances and sounds. They created an atmosphere in which the audience felt comfortable enough to allow themselves to learn. They encouraged us to sing along to songs we knew, and they taught us how to click (or at least tried to). I found myself feeling self-conscious at first, but after a few minutes of the exercise, I began to relax. This was not a place of judgment.

Music can be incredibly powerful, bringing communities together and reaching beyond. Nobuntu beautifully embodied their culture and eagerly welcomed the Transy community with open arms. They spoke so fondly and so proudly of Zimbabwe. Despite the fact that women have faced intense inequality throughout Africa, these women approached the issue with grace and determination to achieve change. It was difficult to feel anything but inspired.

The experience was so much more than I expected it to be. I left with a feeling of warmth and contentment. The way Nobuntu seamlessly strung together culture, politics, feminism, love, and music was refreshing and galvanizing. I look forward to the art they will continue to share with the world.

“The Wins” Take the Crown at BSA’s Family Feud

Campus Life

Kate Polson

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November 9, 2023

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“The Wins” Take the Crown at BSA’s Family Feud

Fast Money! The Black Student Alliance (BSA) held a Family Feud game night in the Multicultural Room on Thursday, November 2nd. This event was a great opportunity for Transy students to enjoy a night of friendly competition.

Two teams, each composed of about six contestants, dubbed themselves “The Wins” and “The Johnsons,” respectively. The feud was lively all around. Rules didn’t matter much and everyone got their shot at the buzzer. Ta’Nya Barbee ‘25 sported a Steve Harvey-esque mustache until it got in the way of her game show host duties, such as clear pronunciation and keeping a straight face.

When asked if the well-known celebrity version of Family Feud was a step up from the original gameshow, attendees unanimously answered with a resounding “no.” Barbee answered, “Family Feud is better,” referring to the traditional version of the game. Ernest Bowen ‘26 doubted the intelligence of Celebrity Feud contestants saying, “I just think, ‘How did y’all get all that money?!’”

Alaysia Godfrey ‘24 voiced concern about the difficulty level of the questions saying, “I feel like they also make the questions easier for celebrities than they do for other people. And I know that they’re also donating the money to charity. But for everyday people, you don’t know what they’re going to do with that money so I feel like the questions should at least be fair.”

In the end, it was a tough call. “The Wins” were hit with fair questions, but they did not walk away with a monetary prize. Perhaps everyone gained an even greater reward: a sense of community. BSA’s next event will be a Friendsgiving potluck on November 16th.

Rocky Horror at the Kentucky Theater: A Longstanding Tradition

Lexington

Lyra Duffy

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November 8, 2023

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Rocky Horror at the Kentucky Theater: A Longstanding Tradition

On Saturday, October 28th, the Kentucky Theatre hosted its monthly performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you don’t already know, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic 1975 horror musical. At the Kentucky Theatre, this is more than a movie– its a live performance by a cast of shadow actors from the Master’s Affairs theater group, which adds an immersive and interactive element to the Rocky Horror experience. If it is your first time seeing the show live, you’re labeled a “virgin.” Before the show, cast members run around to make sure all of the virgins get the letter V written on their forehead in red lipstick. The performers act out scenes from the movie on stage as they play out on the big screen, and take their liberties with their performance. The crowd throws props, such as toilet paper and playing cards, that coincide with certain moments from the film. The cast members interact with the crowd both before and during the film, running through the isles of the theater. There are many long-standing traditions with Rocky Horror, including audience members yelling out cheers and silly jokes throughout the production. The show that occurred on Saturday night was a special Halloween edition. Audience members came dressed in costumes, and many dressed up as characters from the film. Seeing The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Kentucky Theater is one of the finest local traditions Lexington has to offer.

The Latest on McCarthy’s Removal from Office

News

Cameron Ritchie

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November 7, 2023

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The Latest on McCarthy’s Removal from Office

In recent years, many political commentators and observers have noted the unprecedented times we live in. Whether it’s the 2020 election or the ‘January 6th’ incident, we have seen unusual things happen in Washington. Now, with the removal of the House Speaker, our government has plunged further into chaos.

California Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the speakership on October 3rd. This was a long time coming after many threats of removal from Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz. For context, after 15 failed attempts to win the speakership in January, McCarthy negotiated a compromise with the far-right flank of his party to secure their votes. One important part of the deal was that one member of the House could call a motion to oust the speaker whenever they wanted. This concession would soon haunt McCarthy as he was taunted with the threat of removal several times before it became a reality on the third of October.

The motion originated from McCarthy daring to work with House Democrats to bypass the ultra-conservative holdouts in his party. These far-right Republicans had been holding their votes and threatening to shut down the government after budget legislation didn’t make enough cuts to federal spending. Gaetz threatened McCarthy with a motion to vacate if he made a deal with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, keeping the government open until November. Once McCarthy passed the resolution with Democratic votes, Gaetz motioned to vacate the speaker, and McCarthy was ousted with eight votes from his party and 208 votes from Democrats.

The House plunged into chaos as it struggled to find a replacement speaker. Republican Jim Jordan made three unsuccessful runs for speaker. Republican Patrick McHenry, who served as the interim speaker of the House, was also suggested to run for speaker. After the nearly month-long stint, Representative Mike Johnson of Lousianna was narrowly elected as speaker of the House on the 25th. In a House so deeply divided, it is yet to be seen whether it will get past the budget talks or if we will witness yet another shutdown.

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