# Transylvania University recognizes academic excellence, student achievements **Published:** 2026-05-15T15:56:59.000Z **Source:** [Transylvania University](https://www.transy.edu/1780/2026/05/transylvania-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-awards-ceremony/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/transylvania-university-recognizes-academic-excellence-student-achievements LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Transylvania University honored first-year students, sophomores and juniors](https://www.transy.edu/1780/2026/05/transylvania-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-awards-ceremony/) at its annual awards ceremony, recognizing academic excellence and outstanding contributions across multiple disciplines. [The private liberal arts institution](https://www.transy.edu/), founded in 1780, presented awards honoring top grade-point averages by class year as well as specialized achievements in theater, music ensembles, history, political science, chemistry and leadership. Notable award recipients included Ella Go, who received the Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship, given annually to a junior with an outstanding academic record and significant contributions to the university. Mustafa Khan was presented the Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award for outstanding achievement in general chemistry as a first-year student. Olivia Sparks was awarded the Ira Richard Harris '53 History Department Award, which supports outstanding history majors seeking opportunities to further their education outside the university. Lily Jasper received the Ira Richard Harris '53 Political Science Department Award under similar criteria. Maggie Evitts earned the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, awarded to a history and/or political science major with aspirations of attending law school. In the performing arts, Sophie Simms, Emma Smith, Savannah Soeder and Kat Clark received the Lumine Award for Theatrical Distinction, given to students who embody Transylvania's motto, "In that light, we pass on the light," through passion and dedication to theater. The university also recognized standout newcomers to its music programs. Annie Kunkel received the Transylvania Bands Outstanding Newcomer Award, while Nathan Goins, Anya Rountree, Jadynn Cornett and Maya Smith received the Transylvania Choir Outstanding Newcomer Award for exceptional participation in the choral program. Annabelle Raybould earned the Transylvania Orchestra Outstanding Newcomer Award. [Transylvania, located in downtown Lexington](https://www.transy.edu/academics/), serves approximately 1,000 undergraduate students and offers 46 majors with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. ## Sources - [Transylvania University](https://www.transy.edu/1780/2026/05/transylvania-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-awards-ceremony/) - [Transylvania University — Private Liberal Arts College in Lexington](https://www.transy.edu/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Transylvania University, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.transy.edu/1780/2026/05/transylvania-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-awards-ceremony/.