Landmark College announced it raised $225,000 during the “Impact: 40 Years of Shaping Stories and Defining Futures” online fundraiser, held April 24.
In addition to the proceeds raised from sponsorships and ticket purchases, a silent auction offered more than 30 items and experiences to bid on. There was also a live Fund-a-Need auction where viewers could pledge dollars in support of specific academic and student life programming.
The “Impact” event consisted of live and recorded segments highlighting the educational and social opportunities available to Landmark College students, as well as the presentation of the first Student Impact award to the organizers of the NeuroVisions Flim Festival: Julian Bond, Nina King, Aidan Kipp, Nailah Quail-Parker, and Gavin Weiland.
During the award presentation, Landmark College President Dr. Jim Dlugos shared the story of how the NeuroVisions Film Festival started last fall in the Guided Leadership practicum course taught by Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Gyuri Kepes.
“Students were challenged to create a project dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices and stories of neurodivergent individuals. NeuroVisions is the result,” Dlugos said.
Journalists Caren Zucker and John Donvan joined the event by videoconference to accept the 2025 LD Luminary Award, given to individuals in the public eye who have helped advance the perception of neurodiversity in society.
“We were the first network news team to cover stories of autism because we wanted to share with people that difference is not a bad thing. It’s a good thing,” said Zucker while talking about the work that led to her and Donvan co-authoring the book “In A Different Key” and then later making a documentary film of the same name. “Thank you to Landmark College for all that you do for the neurodiverse community. A safe place and a happy place for people to go and be their best selves.”
Landmark College wishes to thank Brattleboro Community Television for their production support of the livestream, as well as the following corporate sponsors whose support made the “Impact” fundraiser possible: The Belfort Group, Chartwells/Compass Group, Connection/Lenovo, Exterus Business Furniture, Goodenough Rubbish Removal, GPI Construction, Heeter Printing and Marketing Solutions, Howard Printing, Leader Distribution Systems, Modern Mechanical Solutions, Mondo MediaWorks, Pelow and Sons Paving, The Richards Group, Savings Bank of Walpole, and TD Bank.