Transylvania University
Seal of Transylvania University | |
Former names | Transylvania Seminary (1780–1799) Bacon College (1837–1851) Kentucky University (1858–1865) |
|---|---|
| Motto | In Lumine Illo Tradimus Lumen (Latin) |
Motto in English | In That Light, We Pass on the Light |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1780 |
Religious affiliation | Disciples of Christ |
Academic affiliations | NAICU |
| Endowment | $190.2 million (2020) |
| President | Brien Lewis |
| Students | 963 |
| Location | , U.S. 38°03′08″N 84°29′37″W / 38.0522°N 84.4936°W |
| Campus | 150 acres (61 ha) |
| Colors | Crimson |
| Nickname | Pioneers |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III – HCAC, OAC, ORLC, CCIW, |
| Mascot | Raf, Rafinesque's big-eared bat |
| Website | transy.edu |
Transylvania University is a private university in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. It was founded in 1780 and is the oldest university in Kentucky. It offers 46 major programs, as well as dual-degree engineering programs, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its medical program has graduated 8,000 physicians since 1859.
Transylvania's name, meaning "across the woods" in Latin, stems from the university's founding in the heavily forested region of western Virginia known as the Transylvania Colony, which existed briefly between 1775 and 1776 in south and western Kentucky.
It is the alma mater of two U.S. vice presidents, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, 50 U.S. senators, 101 U.S. representatives, 36 U.S. governors, and 34 U.S. ambassadors, making it a large producer of 19th century U.S. statesmen.