Transylvania University's innovative August term for new students is much more than a typical orientation

LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Transylvania University's pioneering August term is poised to introduce first-year students to the academic rigor of a liberal arts college. The Class of 2017 will arrive August 9, three weeks before upperclassmen, to learn what it will take to excel at Transylvania.

The program goes far beyond the elements of a typical college orientation—a multitude of social activities, educational programming and community service opportunities—it also incorporates a challenging classroom experience: the First Engagements seminar.

Small classes will meet daily with a professor to discuss readings and learn about the type of critical thinking that will be expected in their college academic experience. Since faculty come from all academic areas, students may be exposed to widely varying perspectives on the First Engagements theme, "Reading the World," which captures two goals of a liberal arts education: learning to read critically and exploring the wider world.

Over the summer, students read Mark Haddon's "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time" and will read Russell Shorto's "Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason" during August term.

"Last year students came out of the First Engagements seminar with a valuable academic edge—the ability to be active participants in their fall term courses from day one," said John Svarlien, classics professor and faculty director for August term.

Faculty also devote considerable energy to advising the first-year students. "August term allows incoming students to develop a close relationship with their initial academic advisor," said Martha Billips, associate dean of the college for first-year academic programs and advising. "This close advisor/advisee relationship helps incoming students make the transition to college life smoothly and successfully."

Students also meet with "August term scholars"—Transylvania juniors and seniors who serve as mentors both in and out of class. The scholars work with faculty to develop the individual seminars.

This is the second year for the pioneering program, and Svarlien called the first year a big success. "New students developed a strong sense of identity with their classmates and gained confidence in their academic and social skills."

Transylvania, founded in 1780, is the nation's sixteenth oldest institution of higher learning and is consistently ranked in national publications as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. www.transy.edu

SOURCE Transylvania University