Transylvania University

Transylvania University
Seal of Transylvania University
Latin: Universitatis Transylvaniensis
Former names
Transylvania Seminary
(1780–1799)
Bacon College
(1837–1851)
Kentucky University
(1858–1865)
MottoIn Lumine Illo Tradimus Lumen (Latin)
Motto in English
In That Light, We Pass on the Light
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1780 (1780)
Religious affiliation
Disciples of Christ
Academic affiliations
NAICU
PresidentBrien Lewis
Students1,007 (fall 2024)
Location,
U.S.

38°03′08″N 84°29′37″W / 38.0522°N 84.4936°W / 38.0522; -84.4936
Campus150 acres (61 ha)
Colors  Crimson
NicknamePioneers
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIIHCAC, OAC, ORLC, CCIW,
MascotRaf, Rafinesque's big-eared bat
Websitetransy.edu

Transylvania University (often shortened as Transy) is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. It was founded in 1780 and is Kentucky's oldest university. 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 institution's founding in the heavily forested region of western Virginia known as the Transylvania Colony, which existed between 1775 and 1776 in southern 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 American statesmen.