College Town Showcase coming to Lexington
Lexington’s 250th anniversary commission is celebrating the city’s trailblazing history in higher education with a “College Town Showcase” later this month.
“Since our earliest days, our city has been a hub for education,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Because of our education system, including our public schools, today we have a very highly educated populace compared to most cities, making our workforce attractive to local employers, and to companies around the world looking for a new home. In addition, the brainpower of our universities often sparks technological innovation that becomes successful start-up businesses.”
The 250Lex College Town Showcase is taking place the last weekend of March, bringing together Transylvania University, the University of Kentucky, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College for a weekend of fun and discovery. Residents are invited to explore the campuses, cheer on their favorite teams, and celebrate the legacy of higher education in Lexington.
“The 250Lex College Town Showcase is a celebration of the past, present and future of higher education in Lexington,” 250Lex Commission Member Megan Moloney said. “We invite the community on campus to see firsthand the collective impact of our institutions, and how we help so many discover their paths to success right here in our vibrant city.” Moloney serves at the Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Transylvania University.
The first university west of the Allegheny Mountains, Transylvania University, was founded in 1780, just five years after Lexington was founded. “As Kentucky’s first university, Transylvania has been deeply rooted in the Lexington community for more than two centuries,” Transylvania University President Brien Lewis said. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with 250LEX, UK and BCTC to showcase the educational opportunities available in Lexington. We welcome visitors to our campus to witness not only our history, but our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators, building upon our long legacy of academic excellence and community engagement.”
With the founding of the land-grant University of Kentucky in 1865, higher education was further established as a firm and continuing part of the foundation of our community.
“Community members sometimes feel they can’t come to campus or have just driven around the perimeter and have not really seen what campus is about,” University of Kentucky Vice President of University Relations Tom Harris said. “UK has made significant investments in our campus and we are excited about the opportunity to share how those improvements improve the lives of students, our employees, and our patients. We look forward to welcoming the community to see their university.” Harris also serves as a member of the Mayor’s 250Lex Commission.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mayor Linda Gorton and the 250Lex Commission for inviting Bluegrass Community and Technical College to be a part of this significant celebration of 250 years of Lexington’s rich history,” BCTC President Dr. Greg Feeney said. “This year, BCTC is commemorating its 85th year, marking a Legacy of Learning that has shaped the lives of thousands of students and their futures. We are proud to be part of this milestone as we join in celebrating 250 years of Lexington’s vibrant history. Both anniversaries are a testament to the enduring spirit of growth, education, and community.”
Transylvania University 250Lex Showcase
Transylvania University invites the community to experience campus life during the 250LEX showcase. Enjoy self-guided tours, explore Transylvania’s unique Special Collections, and show your support for Pioneers baseball, softball and lacrosse. The event will take place 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 28-29. Free and open to the public. More details available at www.transy.edu/250lex.
University of Kentucky
Community members are invited to explore campus at their own pace, and for free from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, March 30. Guests will check in at the Visitor Center in the Gatton Student Center, and have the opportunity to visit various locations across campus. Stops will include Historic Memorial Coliseum (where they can experience DanceBlue in action), the Esports tournament at The Cornerstone, the Gatton Student Center, W.T. Young Library, and more. Free and open to the public.
BCTC 250Lex Campus Showcase
BCTC is hosting the 250Lex Campus Showcase for prospective students and the local community from 2-6 p.m., Thursday, March 27, on the Newtown Campus. The event will offer campus tours, a celebration of the school’s 85 years of Legacy of Learning, a resource fair featuring student organizations, student services, and community partners, and fresh kettle corn. Attendees can also receive assistance with applications and financial aid in the Den Building. At 5 p.m., the 250Lex Scholarship will be awarded, valued at $3,000. Scholarship applications for Lexington residents will be available through March 25. The event will be free and open to the public.
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During each month of 2025, 250Lex will focus on different aspects of Lexington. Following Education Month in March, April events will be focused on music and the written word.
For a full list of programming taking place in March, visit www.250Lex.com.
Stay up to date with all things 250Lex by following @250LexKY on Facebook and X. Follow @250Lexington on Instagram.
