Transylvania University is again benefiting from the support of an organization whose legacy includes prominence in Kentucky media operations. Transy is launching the Bingham Center for Teaching Excellence.
The new center, supported with $600,0000 from the Bingham Fund for Excellence, will carry a heavy focus on faculty development. Transylvania President Brien Lewis said digital learning through utilizing virtual reality, IPAD, or other platforms is a part of this initiative. And assignments in class may vary.
“So now, it’s not just everything’s an essay. It’s ok, you might be doing an essay, you might be doing a podcast, you might be doing an audio-visual presentation. And making sure that our faculty can help develop those skills,” said Lewis.
Lewis said work is underway to develop programming. He said the center will initially be situated in the school library with future plans to locate the program in a separate facility.
Lewis noted it’s also about the faculty using those skills. He added it will benefit both new and veteran educators.
“Developing those young faculty into outstanding teachers, but also allowing experienced faculty to continue to develop…to bring in new technologies, new resources, new ways to synthesize and present information. So, that nobody becomes static,” said Lewis.
Back in May, the Bingham Fund announced a 15-year, $25 million grant to fund up to 12 Bingham Endowed Chairs at Transylvania. The Teaching Excellence program was endowed in 1987 by a gift from Mary and Barry Bingham Senior, one-time owner of the Courier-Journal and WHAS TV and radio.
Here's the interview with Brien Lewis:
* WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation
Transylvania University President Brien Lewis
