Transylvania Polygnostic University

From Girl Genius

Transylvania Polygnostic University, located in Beetleburg, is an old and respected institution, and the school where our heroine studied. It was run by Dr. Tarsus Beetle until his death; afterward, Silas Merlot was placed in charge as punishment. Subsequent to his appointment, he made an unspecified mistake, and so as promised by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, he has been shipped to Castle Heterodyne^[1]. The current administrator is unknown, although Professor Hugo Glassvitch, Head of Research, is the likely candidate.

Other members of staff have included Professors Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio.

The school's motto is, "Know enough to be afraid".

Contents 1 History 2 Departments 3 Faculty 4 Alumni 5 See also 6 References

[edit] History

Transylvania Polygnostic University was most likely founded by a previous Tyrant of Beetleburg, probably an ancestor of Dr. Tarsus Beetle. Traditionally, the Master of the University was also the Tyrant of Beetleburg, and the surrounding lands belonging to the city-state.

The University is one of an elite number of institutions of higher learning referred to as the "Grand Old European Schools," along with Oxford College of Non-Intuitive Mechanics, Wittenburg University, and the Paris Institute of the Extraordinary.^[1]

An institution that defines the city that surrounds it, the University is known for several attractions: the massive clocktower/security guard/warmachine Mr. Tock (sadly destroyed), the large glass jars in the main quad of the University in which convicted criminals are starved to death and baked in the sun (they're tough on crime), as well as a number of mortarboard-wearing clank guards, "The Watch", who serve as a security force.

In recent years, the University's normal pattern was disrupted when the University was invaded and conquered by the Baron Wulfenbach, following alleged possession of Other technology. The death of Dr. Beetle and his replacement by Dr. Merlot was a dramatic event, accompanied by the destruction of Mr. Tock. It also catalyzed a number of events just as dramatic, as it triggered Agatha's by-then-inevitable breakthrough....

[edit] Departments

- Department of Mostly True History

- Department of Alchemical Inquiry

- Music Department

- to be determined.

[edit] Faculty

- Dr. Silas Merlot, Master of the University, Alchemical Inquiry

- Dr. Hugo Glassvitch, Chief of Research, Alchemical Inquiry

- Dr. Phil Foglio, Creative History

- Dr. Kaja Foglio, Interpretive History

- Dr. Cheyenne Wright, Transdimensional Color Theory

- Dr. Tom Smith, Music Department^[2]

[edit] Alumni

A good number of famous Sparks from the previous generation attended Transylvania Polygnostic University. The most prominent alumnus still around is Klaus Wulfenbach, who studied at TPU under the late Dr. Beetle. While a student, Klaus made the acquaintance of classmates Bill and Barry, and Lucrezia Mongfish.

In more recent times, a little-known young woman by the name of Agatha Clay was summarily expelled from the TPU for annoying the new Master, following the rapid transition from Dr. Beetle's tenure to Dr. Merlot's.

[edit] See also

• Secret Blueprints: Dr. Tarsus Beetle & Transylvania Polygnostic

• Secret Blueprints: Dr. Silas Merlot & Dr. Hugo Glassvitch

[edit] References

1. ↑ Girl Genius: Secret Blueprints
2. ↑ Dr. Smith is the writer of TPU's rousing and inspiring fight song.