Landmark College Breaks Ground for New Science Center
by Solvegi Shmulsky
On Saturday, August 30, 2014, members of the Landmark College Board of Trustees and President Peter Eden donned blue hard hats and wielded shovels to break ground for the Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science, Technology & Innovation Center, the first new academic building in the history of the campus. On this stunning late summer day, hundreds of students, families, faculty, and staff attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony at the entrance of the academic quad. The $10 million building is slated to open in August 2015. It will house programs in the natural sciences and computer science, as well as research and development activities.
The excitement about what can be achieved in the MacFarlane Center was apparent in remarks by Dr. Eden. Addressing the crowd, Eden said, “The Center shows that we invest in students and provide what is needed for a state-of-the-art education in STEM.” Eden read a letter from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders praising the College’s investment in education.
Robert E. Lewis, chair of the Landmark College Board of Trustees, spoke directly to the assembled students and said, “Why are we doing this? Because we cannot afford to lose the benefit from such intelligent, creative, life-changing people as yourselves.”
At the construction site in front of a backdrop of excavators, President Eden, friend of the College Harold Nahigian, and Trustees Nan Strauch and Bob Lewis were the first to dig. Then members of the crowd were invited to participate. The festivities ended with a celebratory lunch held on the upper campus in the dining hall.
The $10 million project has been generously supported by individuals and foundations. When construction began in August 2014, 85 percent of the funding had been secured. To assist the capital campaign for the STI Center, Nicole Goodner MacFarlane helped acquire a two million dollar grant from the Tambour Foundation. MacFarlane was a student at the College from 1996 to 1998. Eden said, “Named after an alumna, the Center is a visible reminder of the impact students have on Landmark College, and the enduring effect the College has on students.”
In addition to highlighting the start of construction, the groundbreaking ceremony marks the growth of Landmark College. “The Center will be the first building visitors see upon entrance to our beautiful campus—it shows our continued commitment to change lives and education,” said Eden. “This new facility is important because it will bring more STEM and professional-based program experiences and opportunities to students, educators, professionals in the field of LD, and visitors.”
Landmark College was the first institution of higher learning to pioneer college-level studies for students with dyslexia. Today, Landmark College is a global leader in integrated teaching methods for students with learning disabilities (including dyslexia), ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The College offers two- and four-year degree options, a graduate-level certificate in universal design with technology integration, and summer programs for students who learn differently. Students, faculty, and professionals from around the world are drawn to Landmark College for its innovative educational model, designed through research and practice to help all students become confident, empowered, and independently successful learners.