In an unprecedented move that shocked the Transylvania community, on April 1st, 2024, Brien Lewis announced his resignation from the position of university president, effective immediately. This announcement was made via an email sent out to all students, where Lewis acknowledged his appreciation for the Transylvania community and how hard it was to leave, but stated that “the opportunities I have been given are simply too good to pass up.” Said opportunity was an offer from the Senate of the Galactic Republic to serve as chancellor, an especially powerful position in the wake of the granting of emergency powers at the start of the Republican-Separatist conflict that began last year. While Transy has been relatively untouched by the conflict, several Galactic senators recommended Lewis for the position of chancellor due to his clear knowledge of intergalactic politics and experience holding a community together.
Lewis had previously endorsed giving emergency powers to previous chancellor Sheev Palpatine, saying that while he “loved democracy,” the Separatist threats to the liberal arts were simply too great. As for who will be the next president of Transylvania University, Lewis acknowledged the importance of putting a clear successor in place, emphasizing that he wanted to avoid the political tumult that followed what he referred to as “The Tragedy of Seamus Carey the Wise.” While Lewis mentioned that he briefly considered allowing the Transylvania Board of Trustees to accept the duties of president for the remainder of the 2023-24 academic year, Lewis expressed hesitancy in the board’s ability to rule without his guidance, saying “I am the Board of Trustees.” In a surprising move, President Lewis recommended Rambler Co-editor Chief Jack Thomas as the next president. Lewis did not provide any reasons for this recommendation before departing to Coruscant to begin his duties as chancellor. When asked for comment on the recommendation, Thomas was quoted as saying “This was preordained. Print shall inherit the earth.”
On Sunday, March 17th, Carrick Theater was filled with community members captivated by the jazz stylings of the Leo Genovese Trio. Genovese, a Grammy-winning musician, praised the Grand Falcone piano provided by Transy professor Greg Partain saying “Forget about Europe, Japan, Mars,” it was Lexington that had “the best piano in the world.”
The pianist was accompanied by upright bassist Francesco Marccoci, from Pisa, Italy, and Ohio’s Jeff Williams on drums. The trio played well, with Leo blowing kisses to Williams after particularly unique songs ended. The trio schmoozed audience members with their stylings, eliciting audible reactions of awe.
One piece was inspired by a Moroccan melody and another incorporated blues. In addition to the live music, there were paintings by Argentinian artist Hector Beas displayed that added to the meaning of each song.
Genovese ended the performance thanking the audience for attending and praising his fellow musicians saying, “These guys are total masters.”
The event was presented by the GreenRoom Exchange, a local non-profit organization dedicated to bringing international, cross-cultural experiences to the Lexington community.
The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity hosted their philanthropy event, Sigatoni’s, on Thursday, March 21st. Sigatoni’s was an Italian-themed dinner, with many references to classic films such as The Godfather. As I entered Sigatoni’s I was immediately greeted at the door and ushered to my seat, where I was waited on as soon as I sat down and ordered my meal. I was served my meal quite quickly and it was very satisfying. Live music was also being performed by members of Delta Sigma Phi, including the members of local bands Sun Shy and Sphynx. The atmosphere created by the performance made me feel as though I was in a quaint Italian restaurant. When I eventually had to leave Sigatoni’s, I was satisfied with nearly everything about the philanthropy event. I could tell that the Delta Sigma Phi members had put a lot of work into this event to make sure everything went swimmingly.
Photography by Jacob Forman
Sigatoni’s is a yearly event, with the money raised each year going towards The Nest. The Nest is a foundation with the goal of aiding families in crisis or in need through education, advocacy, and free programming. Delta Sigma Phi has partnered with the Nest many times before and this year they were able to raise over $1500 for the charity. It is great to see Greek organizations on campus doing their best to support organizations like Nest. The only negative thing I can say about Sigatoni’s is that I arrived too late and did not secure a bottle of the exclusive “Sigatoni’s Reserve.” I will just have to get one next year, where I hope even more people can attend the event.
After thirty-seven years in higher education, Transy’s beloved Spanish professor Dr. Veronica Dean-Thacker is retiring at the end of this academic year. Throughout her career, she has presented published works at nearly thirty conferences, spoken at lectures within her field, and much more.
A New York native, Dean-Thacker moved to Lexington to complete her doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky. “I sent eight applications out and I decided the first one to answer me was the one I needed to go. It was UK, and that was it.”
It was at a literature conference that she was approached by Transylvania professors about a position here. Thank you to those previous faculty members for spotting VDT! After a few years of teaching at Ohio State University, she said coming onto Transy’s campus felt much more like a community.
Dean-Thacker attributes her love of languages to her high school Spanish teacher. “I took Latin and Spanish. It was a Catholic school and she was a nun, she was fabulous. She loved everything Spanish. She really got us talking early on and I stuck with it.”
One could say she did more than just stick with it. In her undergraduate studies, she took French, Arabic, German, and Spanish. “Eventually, the classes started to conflict and I had to choose. I chose Spanish.” Her fondness for teaching grew during this time, too.
Since she was so well-versed in foreign languages, Dean-Thacker was given a job teaching English to non-English language students at twenty years old. “I had students from all over the world, and I had to teach them English. I loved the teaching so that’s probably what did it.”
Dr. Veronica Dean-Thacker pictured in Transy’s 2008 Yearbook.
Dean-Thacker emphasized that teaching and learning are closely linked. “I think the whole educational process is exciting because we know quite a bit about our field, but there’s always so much more to know.” She has actively sought out this new knowledge with countless trips to Spain. When asked to give a roundabout estimate of times she has been, she said “Every year and sometimes twice. Every once in a while, three times a year depending on work. Probably upwards of forty-five, fifty times.”
During her visits to Spain, VDT credited the administrative support for allowing her to present papers and do research which has been “the best experience.” For VDT, one of the best parts of being a professor at Transy has been the support. “I think what stands out, really stands out, is the administration’s support of my work which allowed me to go to Spain so many times to make connections which now my colleagues have.” The most recent lecture was last December, titled “The Literary and Artistic Legacy of Asensio Saez García” in La Unión, Spain. Dean-Thacker will be traveling back to Spain in a few weeks with Dr. David Kaufman for their May Term course “Cultures of Southern Spain–Medieval and Contemporary Convivencia.”
Teaching is more than rewarding for Dean-Thacker; it is a privilege. “We have this wonderful existence here where we can continue to learn. We learn a lot on our own, doing our own research, but we also learn a lot from students.” She mentioned how she has an envelope full of letters that previous students have sent. “It just shows me what good people we have at this school. The wonderful letters about what they’re doing in their life, how they’re using their Transy education, always wanting to get back together.”
“I feel blessed here,” Dean-Thacker emphasized.
Humanities Division Chair and professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature, Dr. Jeremy Paden said “Certainly, Veronica will be missed. Veronica has been a great encourager of Spanish, bringing in students and encouraging them to go into the major. She will very much be missed. Her laugh will be missed. I think that her thirty-seven years of teaching here has laid the groundwork for us all in the Spanish program.”
On what awaits her after retirement, she offered a peek into her plans saying “I will be translating some of Antonio Pereira’s short stories into English. But, I also am going to take a course to be able to interpret for the Hispanic population in hospitals in Lexington. I want to help the community. I also have three adorable grandchildren who live in D.C. I don’t get to see them as much, so I’ll get to see them more.”
On Tuesday, March 19th, the Student Activities Board hosted an event in honor of Women’s History Month, “Zine Queens!” At the event, there was an informational presentation on the history of zines and a taco bar catered by Maria’s Kitchen and Bar. Students were able to look through many magazines that were donated from the Transylvania Library and Carnegie Center.
You may be wondering what a zine is: it is a multimedia print work that is created by folding a piece of paper into a book and filling it with images, words, poetry, and more. They are used to express important themes or messages but they can also just be silly and fun! Zines also have a history of feminism as well as being deeply involved in the “Riot Grrrl” movement; this supported women in being unashamed of their emotions and, in particular, anger. Zines were a stepping stone to intersectionality within feminism. They provided an outlet for all individuals, not just white middle-class feminism. Due to the amazing history of zines, they provided a perfect event for all individuals to come together and express themselves. This event served as a warm and creative way to celebrate Women’s History Month!
On March 5th, members across the Transylvania community gathered for the Judy Gaines Young Award ceremony. Endowed by Dr. Byron Young in honor of his late wife, the annual award is given to a recently published author from the Appalachian region. The award also honors a student each year and highlights their original works. The 2024 winner is George Ella Lyon, a former Kentucky Poet Laureate from Harlan County. Lyon has published over thirty works ranging from poetry to children’s books. Professor Maurice Manning, who hosted the event that night, spoke about the first time he met Lyon at the Appalachian Writers’ Workshop in the 90s. Manning said they played music together in a basement for what felt like hours. On the memory, Manning recounted “It fills you up to be a part of something like that.”
Lyon writes about themes of human connection, heritage, and nature. Lyon pointed out that March is Women’s History Month, and read from poems that touched on topics like beauty standards. She attributed her attendance to the many women writers’ conferences that served as great sources of inspiration and encouraged her writing.
A page out of Which Side Are You On by George Ella Lyon
Lyon also read aloud from her children’s book, “Which Side Are You On? The Story of A Song.” The book tells the story of the conflict between coal miners and mine owners in Harlan County in the 1930s, and the 1931 union folk song by Florence Reece of the same name it inspired. After reading the book, Lyon encouraged the room to sing along to the song
Transy Senior Lily Callahan was honored with the student award, gracing attendees with a reading of her original poems including “Moose” and “The Need of Returning to Young Oak.” Community members chuckled at Callahan’s candor during her poem alluding to the less glamorous aspects of horse farms. Callahan has been nationally recognized for her equestrian abilities throughout her years on Transy’s Eventing team. She will be graduating with a major in Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications and a minor in Creative Writing this May.
Callahan felt a mix of emotions about being honored because her poems that earned recognition were “from a very dark point” in her life. While She is still excited about the entire process, she said there were “nuances to that excitement for sure.”
Callahan recounted her interactions with Lyon, saying “George Ella was amazing. She’s what you dream to be when you’re her age. I had dinner with her and learned she’s lived a heck of a life. It was really fun meeting her. I really, really liked her.”
On Thursday, February 22, the Student Activities Board hosted a Soul Food Cooking demonstration and dinner with Chef BerNadette West-Fugate to celebrate Black History Month. BerNadette is a talented chef and the owner of Aunt B’s Catering, which celebrates the flavors and traditions of African American history. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, her passion for cooking led her to formal training at Sullivan University, graduating in 2006. Her culinary background was a tour of diverse foods, including touring with Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria tour. This diverse culinary background allows her to bring a unique flair to her creations and the events showcasing her food. She shares her expertise and love for food in the “How-To” series at the Louisville Public Library with her communities. Chef BerNadette draws inspiration from her family and loved ones in her in-person classes, cooking shows, and signature “cooking with love” mantra. Her culinary journey is a testament to her belief that food is a heartfelt expression of love and connection, not just nourishment.
The event began with a short speech by Chef BerNadette’s son who discussed the roots of soul food in African American culture. This culture shaped the food world through vibrant flavors and spices used by enslaved people in the southern United States. This use of spices was due to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the people, as they were given the meat that white people didn’t want. These meats were often tough, lacked flavor, and were, in the simplest of terms, bad cuts. The heavy use of spices in their rations made them edible and even good to eat. Many of these specific foods are considered part of African, Creole, and French cuisine, among others.
After this speech, Chef BerNadette began her demonstration by sharing a hot water cornbread recipe. Directions for making the simple, two-ingredient cornbread are listed below. After the demonstration, she shared some of the other events she does, including demonstrations at libraries in both Lexington and Louisville. She included kid-friendly demonstrations so people of all ages can get involved. Through these demos, she has found that one of the best ways to take more interest in food and have a more diverse diet is to be more involved in the cooking process. Chef BerNadette also shared that her catering business, Aunt B’s Catering, works across Kentucky, wherever you want them to be.
A list of Black-owned businesses was also included in a pamphlet passed out at the event so that the Transylvania community could do more to support them.
Hot Water Cornbread
Hot water (recently boiled, does not have to be actively boiling)
Cornmeal
*No measurements were provided during the demonstration, but references were given for how the mixture should look when ready.
If you are deep frying, preheat your fryer to 375ºF.
Combine your cornmeal and hot water slowly, your finished batter should be about the same consistency as mashed potatoes. Different herbs, spices, and flavoring additives can be added to add more flavor to your cornbread.
Scoop into your fryer, or shape into patties and shallow fry in a pan. Allow to fry for 1-3 minutes based on the heat of your oil. The cornbread should be an even gold color when done.
In January 2024, a team of local scientists and scholars sent a similar message into space in the hopes of promoting some interstellar tourism. The team, sponsored by VisitLEX, the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, used a coded bitmap image to advertise Lexington and all its qualities to audiences lightyears away. The concept itself is still relatively new, although rapidly developing technologies are allowing many different groups to take advantage of this marketing strategy. The idea is novel, if a bit flawed. This campaign is akin to throwing out the proverbial message in a bottle; although VisitLEX’s message’s destination is the nearest habitable solar system, it will still take 40 years for the message to reach it and another 40 for us to receive a response.
However, those involved have full faith in their little message, which spared no detail in its promotion of our city. Those at VisitLEX have said they believe Lexington is the best place on Earth, and their message certainly aims to prove that. The bitmap image showcases all the best parts of Lexington, from its depiction of the rolling hills of bluegrass, to audio recordings of local musicians, and a molecular breakdown of water and bourbon. As the image’s depiction of the dopamine molecule suggests, whether our extraterrestrial friends are here to visit or stay, they’re sure to have a good time.
And as we begin the long wait to hear back from them, VisitLEX’s campaign has been busy convincing those on Earth to come visit, as well. Aside from the bitmap message, their advertisement also consists of a website that some have been calling “the extraterrestrial’s guide to Lexington.” VisitLEX’s website, which comically explains Lexington’s signature products like an alien might (for example, calling thoroughbreds “four-legged superstars”), has already surpassed millions of views, and website traffic has increased to nearly double what it was in 2023. Many news outlets nationwide have also taken notice of this campaign, bringing even more attention to both it and Lexington itself. While it’s uncertain just how many people have visited Lexington because of VisitLEX’s attempts at interstellar tourism, it’s clear that the company’s efforts have not been in vain. No matter what happens to their message in a bottle, VisitLEX can rest assured that the conversation surrounding that message will more than makeup for any losses.
Even so, it’s nearly impossible to tell whether VisitLEX’s attempts at interstellar tourism will yield any long-term scientific rewards. In the face of the long journey their message will make, any predictions seem pointless. However, this field of communication is still new, and it’s not unlikely that we’ll see similar efforts as technology continues to improve. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll be on the receiving end of an invitation.
But for now, we’ll keep sending our messages up into the sky, finding excuses to share our love and pride in our communities with someone else.
On Sunday, March 17th, Carrick Theater was filled with community members captivated by the jazz stylings of the Leo Genovese Trio. Genovese, a Grammy-winning musician, praised the Grand Falcone piano provided by Transy professor Greg Partain saying “Forget about Europe, Japan, Mars,” it was Lexington that had “the best piano in the world.”
The pianist was accompanied by upright bassist Francesco Marccoci from Pisa, Italy, and Ohio’s Jeff Williams on drums. The trio played well, with Leo blowing kisses to Williams after particularly unique songs ended. The trio schmoozed audience members with their stylings, eliciting audible reactions of awe.
One piece was inspired by a Moroccan melody and another incorporated blues. In addition to the live music, there were paintings by Argentinian artist Hector Beas displayed that added to the meaning of each song.
Genovese ended the performance thanking the audience for attending and praising his fellow musicians saying, “These guys are total masters.”
The event was presented by the GreenRoom Exchange, a local non-profit organization dedicated to bringing international, cross-cultural experiences to the Lexington community.
On Saturday, February 24th, the Transylvania Pioneers Women’s Basketball team clinched the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title, defeating the Mount St. Joseph University Lions 74-46 in the championship game. The victory marks the sixth year in a row the Pioneers have captured the conference title, with the past three years all being with perfect records. The defending national champion Pioneers now head to the NCAA Tournament riding a 60-game winning streak.
Transylvania entered the tournament as the number one seed after going undefeated in conference play and consequently earned a first-round bye. The Pioneers faced the number four-seeded Franklin College Grizzlies in the semifinals on Friday the 23rd. The Pioneers, who boast the number one scoring defense in Women’s D3, opened the game on a 23-0 scoring run, with the Grizzlies not scoring a basket until over seven minutes had elapsed in the first quarter. After a dominant 28-4 first quarter, the Pioneers were able to cruise to an 83-52 victory, advancing to the HCAC Tournament Championship for the eighth year in a row. The next day, the Pioneers faced the number three-seeded Lions in the championship. After facing an early deficit halfway through the first quarter, the Pioneers roared to life on offense, holding a 22-point lead at halftime. The eventual 74-46 victory was a joint effort from both sides of the ball, with Fifth Year Guard Kennedi Stacy scoring a career-high 32 points and the Pioneer defense holding the Lions to only 4 points in the third quarter and 18 points for the entire second half.
The victory marks the sixth consecutive year the Pioneers have captured the HCAC Tournament Title. The Pioneers had previously captured the HCAC Regular Season Crown for the third year in a row and the eleventh time overall. Stacy and Fifth Year Forward Dasia Thornton were named to the All-Tournament team, with Stacy being named tournament MVP. This is in addition to the numerous regular season honors that the Pioneers earned, with Thornton winning HCAC Player of the Year, Stacy being named Defensive Player of the Year, head coach Juli Fulks taking home Coach of the Year honors, Stacy and Thornton being named to the All-Conference First team, and Fifth Year Forward Laken Ball, Senior Forward Sydney Wright, and Junior Point Guard Sadie Wurth being named to the All-Conferene Second team.
The win improves the Pioneer’s season record to 27-0. This will be the third year in a row that the Pioneers will enter the NCAA Tournament with a perfect record. The Pioneers, having won the 2022-23 National Championship with an undefeated record, currently hold a 60-game winning streak. This streak is tied for the fifth longest in the history of D3 Women’s Basketball and the twelfth longest in the history of all college basketball.
The Pioneers, who are ranked No. 2 in the nation by D3hoops.com, begin their title defense in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 1st in the Beck Center, having earned home-court advantage in the first four rounds of the tournament. Transy will face the Chatham University Cougars in the first round of the tournament on Friday at 8:00 P.M. Should the Pioneers advance to the second round, they would face the winner of an earlier match between the Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops and the Emory University Eagles at 7:30 P.M. on Saturday the 2nd.
