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Landmark College is the direct result of a singular vision — that of Dr. Charles Drake. This vision — to provide students with dyslexia, AD/HD, and other learning disabilities with a liberal arts college education that also addresses and transforms those disabilities into learning assets — has been the guiding light for Landmark College's presidents, faculty, and staff throughout the years.
Our Founding
Those years began with the Landmark Foundation in 1963, developed into the Landmark School (Prides Crossing, Massachusetts) in 1971, expanded to offer a one-year college preparatory program in 1982, and finally evolved into Landmark College in 1984.
Landmark College inhabits the former campus of Windham College, a liberal arts institution founded in 1951 and in operation until 1978, when decreasing enrollment and an inability to meet a loan repayment forced its closing. The former Windham College campus buildings became the property of the Federal Government, which auctioned the land it sits on to a New York developer.
There was talk of building a minimum-security prison on the site,
which was once occupied by the Abenaki
Native American tribe. The direct action
of the town of Putney, Vermont, under the
management of current faculty member John
Bagge (then Town Manager), resulted in an institution
devoted to freedom, not confinement.
The Town of Putney overwhelmingly rejected the prison. Mr.
Bagge, along with then-selectpersons, John
Leader, Barbara Bosquet, as well as recent
Vermont State Senator Peter Shumlin, had
oversight regarding the purchase of the
land by four Putney residents: George Heller,
William Graham, the late Earl Stockwell
and Edward Dodd. These four benefactors
then resold the land to Landmark College.
James Olivier, formerly of Landmark School, was asked by Dr. Drake to assume the first presidency, which he held for over seven years. The former librarian for Windham College, Robert Rhodes, was hired to select an array of publications (spanning from a third-grade to college-graduate reading level), assembling what has now become one of the nation's leading library depository of knowledge on the subject of learning disabilities.
The Presidential mantle passed to Gene Cesari in 1992 and to Lynda J. Katz, Ph.D., in 1994. Peter A. Eden, Ph.D., became our current president in 2011.
The Renovations
Our current Executive Vice-President, Brent Betit, joined Landmark College
as Director of Facilities in mid-1985. Along
with Mr. Olivier and Mr. Rhodes, he faced
a ravaged campus, which had lain dormant
for six years.
Roofs were damaged and leaking, leaving buildings full of water and
ice. There was no operational electrical
or sewer systems. In just over a year (March,
1984 - October, 1985), roughly $3,000,000
was spent renovating five buildings (Administration,
the Library, Aiken Dorm, Middle Dorm, and
Chumley One).
With the addition of two new roofs, almost two acres of carpeting, a new kitchen and dining hall, replacement of all interior furniture, sheetrock, paint, landscaping and repaving, Landmark College was ready to receive students. We opened our doors in September, 1985.
Original Buildings
Landmark College's buildings were designed by the noted architect, Edward Durrell Stone. At first painted white, they were systematically returned to their original brick surface during our renovation program.
In addition to the five buildings restored by the time of our opening in 1985, Landmark College has accomplished the renovation of eleven of the twelve former Windham College structures. Hall Four re-opened in 1987, followed by Davis Hall in 1989. The Fine Arts Building was purchased in 1992 and re-opened in 1994, followed by the renovation of the Strauch Family Student Center in 1997. In 1998 Frost Hall was re-opened.
New Buildings
In 1998, we built a new Admissions Building, which currently houses both Admissions and the National Institute. In 2001, the Click Family Sports Center was created as a result of a long-range planning session held with faculty, staff, students and parents. A formerly unused building was renovated and opened as the East Academic Building in 2005. That 20th anniversary year also featured the expansion of the Dining Hall and the opening of the new Bridges Residence Halls, which feature apartment-style suites.
All renovations and building projects are accomplished through capital campaigns, direct gifts, tuition ,and the careful planning of our management team. In addition, federally supported loans and grants have played a part in the funding. We are proud of the fact that not a single, direct taxpayer dollar has been spent on Landmark College.
The Faculty and Staff
Landmark College opened with 55 employees. We now employ approximately 220 faculty and staff members. This makes for a remarkable faculty/student ratio of 5:1, which facilitates a concentrated learning experience.
Many faculty members, brought from Landmark School to help open the College, are still with us, today: Kathy D'Alessio, Linda Hecker, Linda Kerr, Dan Toomey. Loyal staff, as well, date from the founding of the College.
This longevity and devotion makes Landmark College a closely knit family — a nurturing and constant presence for our student population.
The Students
Landmark College earned accreditation from the New England Association
of Colleges and Schools in 1992, and remains
one of the only nationally accredited institutions of higher learning,
specifically designed for
students who learn differently.
Our first graduation ceremony occurred on May 19, 1988. We continue
to hold two graduation ceremonies each
year, one at the end of each semester. Landmark College has served
3,000
students to date.
Here's what our alumni have to say about the effect of our vision:
"A year ago, I was going nowhere fast...I was perceived as a failure...I had given up. [At Landmark College] I have succeeded. There is nothing academically that I cannot achieve. Landmark College has shown me that hard work pays off and to never give up. I was a high-risk student, and Landmark College gave me a second chance. It opened the door to the future for me."
- Alex Seymour, Spring, 1995
"What I remember most about Landmark College is the feeling of belonging. It's a place where you are accepted with all of your faults and weaknesses. All that's asked of you is that you do your best. And after a while, you accept your weaknesses and work around them."
- Kerrie Novobilski, Summer, 1992
"Crossing the bridge was my year at Landmark College; it was facing all my fears and problems. The other side was the success I would experience if I tried to cross it. Well, I did cross."
- Matthew L. Neal, Spring, 1995
Our Financial Stability
With the help of low-interest VEHBFA Revenue Bonds and the generosity of our benefactors, Landmark College has maintained financial stability and a healthy financial record throughout its twenty-year existence.
"Landmark College has an impressive record of financial stability and growth, enabling us to create and sustain the nation's leading program for students with learning differences," says Dr. Brent Betit, our Senior Vice President.
Landmark's operating budget has expanded from $2,000,000 upon opening to over $25,000,000 in 2011. We continue to grow steadily in enrollment and recently completed a major campus upgrade, adding state-of-the-art academic and residential living space, and expanded dining facilities.
Requests for the most recent audited financial statements may be made to the Vice President for Administration and Finance.
Our Future
As Landmark College looks beyond its twenty-fifth year, and increasing
enrollment, we possess a short but significant
historical legacy. We have a vision that
is achieved annually, continuing to expand
and grow, semester by semester. We are a
living and breathing entity, a
continually open door to the future, where
challenges are merely the fodder for achievement.
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