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Landmark College

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Coordinates: 42°58′36″N 72°30′43″W / 42.97667°N 72.51194°W / 42.97667; -72.51194
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Not to be confused with Landmark School or Landmark Worldwide.

Landmark College
MottoNosce te ipsum
Motto in English
Know Thyself
TypePrivate college
Established1985; 40 years ago (1985)
FounderCharles Drake
AccreditationNECHE
Endowment$22.2 million[1]
PresidentJim Dlugos (interim)
Academic staff
80
Administrative staff
80
Students494[2]
Address
19 River Road South, Putney, VT. 50346
,
Putney
,
Vermont
,
05346
,
United States

42°58′36″N 72°30′43″W / 42.97667°N 72.51194°W / 42.97667; -72.51194
CampusRural
Colors   Blue and gold
AffiliationsSix College Collaborative, Association of Vermont Independent Colleges
MascotFinn the Shark
Websitewww.landmark.edu

Landmark College is a private college in Putney, Vermont, designed exclusively for students who learn differently, including those with a learning disability (such as dyslexia), ADHD, autism or executive function challenges. It was established in 1985 and was the first institution of higher learning to pioneer college-level studies for students with dyslexia.[3]

The college offers associate and bachelor's degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).[4]

History

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The campus the college occupies originally belonged to Windham College. After Windham shuttered in 1978, the campus remained unused. Plans for a prison and a conference center fell through. Putney Selectman Peter Shumlin persuaded the government to allow Landmark School in Beverly, Massachusetts, to start a college on the dormant campus. Landmark College was established in 1985.[5]

Lynda Katz was appointed as the college's 3rd president in 1994. Dr. Katz came in with goal of expanding and renovating the campus, implementing a faculty rank & promotion system as well as increased salaries, and pinning the college on the map as a contributor to the state.[6]

The newly renovated Strauch Family Student Center was opened in 1997, which houses Student Affairs offices, Health & Counseling, the campus bookstore, student mail, the Fireside Cafe, and game room.[6]

From 1999-2000, Landmark College received a Title III grant which improved the college's academic and residential programs, and a Title VII from the US Department of Education, which allowed Landmark College to share their expertise on learning disability & ADHD nationwide.[6]

On May 17th, 2001, the Chris Family Click Center (or "Click Center" for short) opened with expanded recreation and exercise facilities, including a climbing wall, replacing the original "bubble" that previously occupied the space.[6]

In early 2004, the Landmark College Board of Trustees approved 3 capital projects, which included the East Academic Building (now Lewis Academic Building), Dining Hall (now Alumni Dining Hall), and the Bridges suite-style residences. [6]

Following Dr. Katz's retirement in 2011, Peter A. Eden was named as the college's 4th president on July 1st the same year. Dr. Eden came in with a biotechnology and science background, which pushed for new degree programs in the sciences, including the first bachelor degree programs. [7]

Landmark began offering its first bachelor degree in 2012, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Associates degrees in Computer Science and Life Science were also offered the same year.[8]

The college built a $9.6 million, 28,500-square-foot science and technology center named the MacFarlane Building in 2015.[8] It was the first building erected since the college's founding.[9]

In September of 2016, Landmark College received a grant from the National Science Foundation of $650K. The Access to Innovative Education: STEM Opportunities for Students with Learning Disabilities (AIE-STEM) supports student scholar in its Computer Science and Life Science (now Biology) programs. Students in the program were offered scholarships up to $10K, and receive mentoring and internship opportunities.[10]

On July 13, 2024, Jim Dlugos was named as interim president after Peter Eden's departure. A permanent president is expected to be named in 2025.[11]

Academics

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Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science, Technology and Innovation Center

Applicants to the college are required to document average to above-average intelligence with the ability to complete college level work, along with a condition that impairs learning. Students are offered personal assistance in their studies, with a student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, and a center for academic support employed with professional academic staff.[12] Classroom faculty employ universal design principles and multi-modal teaching strategies.[13]

The college offers associate degrees and, since 2012, has offered bachelor's degrees. Additionally, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity aimed at education professionals was introduced in 2018.[14]

High school students in several areas of Landmark's county, Windham, can access dual-enrollment NEASC-accredited courses. Middle school students can participate in a summer program called "Expanded Learning Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics."[15]

In 2011, The New York Times reported that 30% of students in the associate program graduated within three years; many dropped out in their first or second semester.[16]

High School Summer Program

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The three-week-long High School Program is intended to assist high school students entering their junior or senior year. The program is designed to help students who may be struggling in school to learn about their learning styles, develop good habits & study skills, and serve as an introduction to college level academics. Students must be between 16-18 years old in order to be eligible for the program.[17]

The program also has a Social Pragmatics track, where for an additional fee, students receive instruction in the PEERS® curriculum for students struggling with making and keeping social connections. Students also have regular 1:1 sessions with a social coach.[17]

Costs

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Tuition and fees for 2022–23 were $76,680, making it the 50th most expensive college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.[18] Tuition and fees for the 2015–2016 year were $51,330.[19][20] In 2015, it topped CNN Money's list of the most expensive colleges.[2] It was also the most expensive four-year private non-profit by list price according to the Department of Education's rankings for the 2012–2013 year;[21] fees including room and board were reported to be $59,930 in 2013[22] and $61,910 in 2015.[20] Scholarships of up to $30,000 are available.[23]

Student Life

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The average age is 20 years old, and about 97% of students live on campus. The male-to-female student ratio is about 3:1.[24] Students are not required to have taken the SAT or ACT examinations.[25] About half of Landmark's full-time students transferred from another college.[26] Student turnover is high;[16] there are now several bachelor's degrees offered, including Biology, Computer Science, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Integrated Arts, and Communications & Entrepreneurial Leadership (aka. COMEL) at the bachelors level[27]. Associates Degree offerings include Business Studies, General Studies, Liberal Studies, Computer Science, and Biology.[28]

Centers for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI)

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Facilities

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Rooms are either doubles or singles. Residential halls are equipped with wireless Internet, laundry facilities, and common lounge space, as well as full-time residential staff. Some suite buildings have kitchens.

Standard Housing

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The four standard residence halls include Frost Hall, Alumni Hall (formerly Middle Hall), Stone Hall (formerly Hall 4), and Davis Hall, each can hold 55-75 students. Most students in their first year (and those who have not transferred from another college/university) will be placed in one of the four traditional buildings. Double-occupancy rooms make up a majority of the rooms in these buildings (with a handful of single-occupancy rooms)[29]

Premium Housing

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Upperclass students can choose to live in premium housing options, including Aiken Hall, the Bridges, or Chumley. Bridges and Chumley offer suite/apartment style living with a common space, bathroom, and kitchenette for cooking including a stove, oven & microwave.[29]

Media

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Media produced at the college include Impressions literary magazine, Voices Magazine student newspaper (formerly The Independent), WLMC Radio,[30] and LC Voices.

WLMC Radio

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WLMC Radio is the online streaming student-run radio station of Landmark College, broadcasting 24/7. The station has a regular of live DJs that are comprised of mostly students, but faculty & staff can also have shows. The station was founded in 2008 as part of a student initiative, and has been operating in the basement of the Strauch Family Student Center. WLMC Radio has won multiple awards from both the College Radio Foundation and the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. Such awards include Spirit of College Radio, Best Streaming/Online Only Station Under 10K Students, Best Radio Drama, Best Public Service Announcement, and Best Spot News Interview.[30]

Notable alumni

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Notable staff

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References

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  1. ^ "Landmark College | Data USA".
  2. ^ a b "10 most expensive colleges". Katie Lobosco. CNN Money. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  3. ^ "Our History". Landmark College. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  4. ^ "About". Landmark College. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  5. ^ "An educational landmark remembered". Wendy M Levy. Commons of Windham County. Issue 324, page A1. September 23, 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e "The Vision Matures: Completing the Campus and Creating a Research…". Landmark College. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  7. ^ "The Vision Renews: STEM and a New Beginning". Landmark College. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Landmark College To Open New $9.6 Million Science, Technology And Innovation Center". Howard Weiss-Tisman. W.N.P.R. Connecticut Public Broadcasting. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  9. ^ "Whoopi Goldberg receives Landmark award". Howard Weiss-Tisman. Brattleboro Reformer. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  10. ^ "Our Grant Funding". Landmark College. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  11. ^ "Landmark College names Dr. James Dlugos as Interim President". www.landmark.edu. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  12. ^ "Private Colleges With the Lowest Student-Faculty Ratios".
  13. ^ "Manju Banerjee: an 'Amazing Opportunity' at a College Focused on Students With Disabilities". Interviewer Dan Berrett. The Chronicle of Higher Education. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  14. ^ "New B.A. in Psychology and Online Postbaccalaureate Certificate Programs start in Fall 2018|Landmark College". www.landmark.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  15. ^ "Landmark College expands reach in Windham County". Mike Faher. Brattleboro Reformer. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  16. ^ a b "Learning with Disabilities". Abby Goodnough. The New York Times. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  17. ^ a b "High School Summer Program". Landmark College. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  18. ^ Learish, Jessica. "The 50 most expensive colleges in America, ranked". CBS News. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  19. ^ "Plan for Greater College Costs for Students with Learning Disabilities". U.S. News & World Report. Farran Powell. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  20. ^ a b "Do the Math: College Tuition Is Rising Faster Than Inflation". Molly Walsh. Seven Days. Da Capo. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  21. ^ "Most Expensive Colleges". Michael Stratford. Inside Higher Ed. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  22. ^ "More colleges provide options for kids with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder". Associated Press. Daily News of New York. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  23. ^ "Grants & Scholarships". College. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  24. ^ Baron-Cohen, Simon; Lombardo, Michael V.; Auyeung, Bonnie; Ashwin, Emma; Chakrabarti, Bhismadev; Knickmeyer, Rebecca (June 14, 2011). "Why Are Autism Spectrum Conditions More Prevalent in Males?". PLOS Biology. 9 (6): e1001081. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001081. PMC 3114757. PMID 21695109.
  25. ^ "The complete list of test-optional colleges and universities, as of now". Valerie Strauss. The Washington Post. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  26. ^ "Learning-disabled students get firmer grip on college". Mary Beth Marklein. USA Today. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
  27. ^ "Bachelor's Degrees". Landmark College. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  28. ^ "Associate Degrees". Landmark College. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Residential Life". Landmark College. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "LC Voices wins three 2023-24 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards | Landmark College". www.landmark.edu. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
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