View source for Landmark College

{{short description|Private college in Putney, Vermont, US}}
{{distinguish|Landmark School|Landmark Worldwide}}
{{Multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date= February 2010}}
{{Promotional|date=October 2020}}}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Landmark College
 | image_name             = LandmarkCollegeSeal.png
 | image_size             = 
 | motto                  = ''Nosce te ipsum''
 | mottoeng               = Know Thyself
 | established            = {{start date and age|1985}}
 | endowment              = $24.4 million (2022)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://datausa.io/profile/university/landmark-college | title=Landmark College &#124; Data USA }}</ref>
 | type                   = [[Private college]]
 | founder                = Charles Drake
 | accreditation          = [[New England Commission of Higher Education|NECHE]]
 | president              = Jim Dlugos
 | faculty                = 80
 | administrative_staff   = 80
 | students               = 494<ref name=Expensive>[https://money.cnn.com/2015/07/02/pf/college/most-expensive-colleges/index.html "10 most expensive colleges"]. Katie Lobosco. [[CNN Money]]. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref>
 | address                = 19 River Road South
 | city                   = [[Putney, Vermont|Putney]]
 | state                  = Vermont
 | postalcode             = 05346
 | country                = United States
 | coor                   = {{Coord|42|58|36|N|72|30|43|W|display=inline, title}}
 | campus                 = [[Rural area|Rural]]
 | colors                 = {{color box|#003D82}}{{color box|#C7B770}} Blue and gold
 | mascot                 = Finn the Shark
 | affiliations           = Six College Collaborative, [[Association of Vermont Independent Colleges]]
 | website                = {{URL|www.landmark.edu}}
 | logo                   = LandmarkCollegeLogo.png
 | logo_size              = 225px
}}

'''Landmark College''' is a [[private college]] in [[Putney, Vermont]], United States. Designed exclusively for students who learn differently, including those with a [[learning disability]] (such as [[dyslexia]]), [[ADHD]], [[autism]] or [[Executive dysfunction|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.landmark.edu/about/our-history |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

The college offers associate and bachelor's degree programs in the [[liberal arts]] and sciences. It is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[New England Commission of Higher Education]] (NECHE).<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.landmark.edu/about |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
The campus that 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.<ref name=Remembered>[http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=12982&page=1 "An educational landmark remembered"]. Wendy M Levy. ''Commons'' of Windham County. Issue 324, page A1. September 23, 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Vision Matures: Completing the Campus and Creating a Research… |url=https://www.landmark.edu/library/landmark-college-archives/college-history/the-vision-matures-completing-the-campus-and-creating-a-research-institute |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" />

On May 17, 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.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref name=":0" />

Following Dr. Katz's retirement in 2011, Peter A. Eden was named as the college's 4th president on July 1 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Vision Renews: STEM and a New Beginning |url=https://www.landmark.edu/library/landmark-college-archives/college-history/the-vision-renews-stem-and-a-new-beginning |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name="$9.6">[http://wnpr.org/post/landmark-college-open-new-96-million-science-technology-and-innovation-center "Landmark College To Open New $9.6 Million Science, Technology And Innovation Center"]. Howard Weiss-Tisman. ''[[WNPR|W.N.P.R.]]'' [[Connecticut Public Broadcasting]]. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-09.</ref>

The college built a $9.6 million, {{convert|28500|sqft|adj=on}}science and technology center named the MacFarlane Building in 2015.<ref name="$9.6"/> It was the first building erected since the college's founding.<ref>[http://www.reformer.com/stories/whoopi-goldberg-receives-landmark-award,348775 "Whoopi Goldberg receives Landmark award"]. Howard Weiss-Tisman. ''[[Brattleboro Reformer]]''. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref>

In September 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Grant Funding |url=https://www.landmark.edu/about/our-grant-funding |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 13, 2024, Jim Dlugos was named as interim president after Peter Eden's departure. In 2025, Dlugos was named as the permanent president after a presidential search committee came to an agreement with him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landmark College names Dr. James Dlugos as Interim President |url=https://www.landmark.edu/news/landmark-college-names-dr-james-dlugos-as-interim-president |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=landmark.edu}}</ref>

== Academics ==
[[Image:Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science Technology and Innovation Center at Landmark College, Putney VT.jpg|thumb|right|{{center|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 [[learning disability|condition that impairs learning]]. Students are offered personal assistance in their studies, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, and a center for academic support employed with professional academic staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-private-colleges-with-the-lowest-student-faculty-r/|title=Private Colleges With the Lowest Student-Faculty Ratios}}</ref> Classroom faculty employ [[universal design]] principles and multi-modal teaching strategies.<ref>[http://www.chronicle.com/article/Manju-Banerjee-Why-I-Moved-to/131401 "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.</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New B.A. in Psychology and Online Postbaccalaureate Certificate Programs start in Fall 2018 |url=https://www.landmark.edu/news/new-ba-in-psychology-and-online-post-baccalaureate-certificate-programs-s |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=landmark.edu}}</ref>

High school students in several areas of Landmark's county, [[Windham County, Vermont|Windham]], can access dual-enrollment [[New England Association of Schools and Colleges|NEASC]]-accredited courses. Middle school students can participate in a summer program called "Expanded Learning Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics."<ref>[http://www.reformer.com/stories/landmark-collegeexpands-reach-inwindham-county,495184? "Landmark College expands reach in Windham County"]. Mike Faher. ''[[Brattleboro Reformer]]''. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-09.</ref>

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.<ref name=Disabilities/>

=== High School Summer Program ===
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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=High School Summer Program |url=https://www.landmark.edu/academics/summer/summer-programs |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":1" />

== Costs ==
Tuition and fees for 2022–23 were $76,680, making it the 50th most expensive college, according to the [[National Center for Education Statistics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Learish |first=Jessica |title=The 50 most expensive colleges in America, ranked |url=https://www2.cbsnews.com/the-50-most-expensive-colleges-in-america |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=CBS News |language=en}}</ref> Tuition and fees for the 2015–2016 year were $51,330.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2016-11-21/plan-for-greater-college-costs-for-students-with-learning-disabilities "Plan for Greater College Costs for Students with Learning Disabilities"]. ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''. Farran Powell. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-06-09.</ref><ref name=Inflation>[https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/do-the-math-college-tuition-is-rising-faster-than-inflation/Content?oid=2884601 "Do the Math: College Tuition Is Rising Faster Than Inflation"]. Molly Walsh. [[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]]. Da Capo. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> In 2015, it topped [[CNN Money]]'s list of the most expensive colleges.<ref name=Expensive/> It was also the most expensive four-year private non-profit by list price according to the [[United States Department of Education|Department of Education]]'s rankings for the 2012–2013 year;<ref>[https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/07/01/education-department-updates-its-rankings-most-costly-colleges "Most Expensive Colleges"]. Michael Stratford. ''[[Inside Higher Ed]]''. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> fees including room and board were reported to be $59,930 in 2013<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/new-college-options-kids-learning-disabilities-article-1.1457371 "More colleges provide options for kids with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder"]. [[Associated Press]]. ''[[New York Daily News|Daily News]]'' of New York. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> and $61,910 in 2015.<ref name=Inflation/> Scholarships of up to $30,000 are available.<ref>[https://www.landmark.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/grants-scholarships "Grants & Scholarships"]. College. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref>

== Student life ==
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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Why Are Autism Spectrum Conditions More Prevalent in Males?|first1=Simon|last1=Baron-Cohen|first2=Michael V. | last2 = Lombardo | first3 = Bonnie | last3 = Auyeung | first4 = Emma | last4 = Ashwin | first5 = Bhismadev | last5 = Chakrabarti | first6 =Rebecca|last6=Knickmeyer|date=14 June 2011|journal=PLOS Biology|volume=9|issue=6|article-number=e1001081|doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.1001081|pmid=21695109|pmc=3114757 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Students are not required to have taken the [[SAT]] or [[ACT (test)|ACT]] examinations.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/04/12/the-complete-list-of-test-optional-colleges-and-universities-as-of-now/ "The complete list of test-optional colleges and universities, as of now"]. Valerie Strauss. ''[[The Washington Post]]''. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> About half of Landmark's full-time students transferred from another college.<ref>[https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-10-17/college-and-learning-disabilities/50807620/1 "Learning-disabled students get firmer grip on college"]. Mary Beth Marklein. ''[[USA Today]]''. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> Student turnover is high;<ref name=Disabilities>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/edlife/09landmark-t.html "Learning with Disabilities"]. Abby Goodnough. ''[[The New York Times]]''. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-10.</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bachelor's Degrees |url=https://www.landmark.edu/academics/degrees/bachelors-degrees |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref> Associates Degree offerings include Business Studies, General Studies, Liberal Studies, Computer Science, and Biology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Associate Degrees |url=https://www.landmark.edu/academics/degrees/associate-degrees |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Facilities ==
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.

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&ndash;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)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Residential Life |url=https://www.landmark.edu/student-life/residential-life |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Landmark College |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":2" />

== Media ==
Media produced at the college include ''Impressions'' literary magazine, ''Voices Magazine'' student newspaper (formerly ''The Independent''), WLMC Radio,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=LC Voices wins three 2023-24 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards {{!}} Landmark College |url=https://www.landmark.edu/news/lc-voices-wins-three-2023-24-intercollegiate-broadcasting-system-awards |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=www.landmark.edu}}</ref> and ''LC Voices''.

WLMC Radio is the online streaming student-run radio station of Landmark College, broadcasting 24/7. The station has a regular cast of live DJs who are mostly students, but faculty and 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.<ref name=":3" />

== Notable alumni ==
* [[Quinn Bradlee]], filmmaker, author, and disability advocate
* [[Dave Cole (artist)|Dave Cole]], visual artist and sculptor
* [[Murder of Ennis Cosby|Ennis Cosby]], only son of American comedian [[Bill Cosby]]

=== Notable staff ===
* [[Alice B. Fogel]], poet and writer; English professor
* [[Lesle Lewis (author)|Lesle Lewis]], poet; English professor

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.landmark.edu/ Official website]

{{Colleges and universities in Vermont}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Putney, Vermont]]
[[Category:Education in Windham County, Vermont]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1985]]
[[Category:Learning disabilities]]
[[Category:Putney, Vermont]]
[[Category:Special schools in Vermont]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Vermont]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in Vermont]]