May 2026 Commencement Recap

Landmark College's May 2026 graduation was one of the largest in the school's history, with 85 students receiving their associate or bachelor's degree, along with 27 others receiving postbaccalaureate certificates. The class included the first three B.A. in History degree recipients. Retiring Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Jill Hinckley was also recognized for her 39 years of service to the College with conferring of faculty emeritus status.  

 

 

Watch the Video Replay

 

Commencement Program 

Download PDF

 

Academic Awards

The Community Service Award is given to the students who have unselfishly given of themselves and to the activities of the Landmark College community. 

 

The Academic Deans’ Award is given to the student who has best demonstrated the qualities that define academic success at Landmark College. These qualities include hard work, seriousness toward learning, intellectual development, and measurable achievement, such as grades.

• Academic Deans’ Award (Baccalaureate):  Nat Lauter (participated online) 
• Academic Deans’ Award (Online):

 

The Undergraduate Research Award is given to students who exhibit active engagement in a research project in any discipline under the supervision of a faculty/staff member for at least one semester or intersession term. 

 

The Charles Drake Award is given to a student who has inspired the community by his or her personal qualities. This student is not a quitter and lives in the tradition of Dr. Charles Drake, whose vision and courage helped found the College. This student gives 100 percent, goes the extra mile, and perseveres in pursuit of his or her goals. This student helps the rest of us realize that we have more resources to draw upon than we think, and helps us keep going when we feel discouraged.

 

The President’s Award is given to the student who has best exemplified the principles we believe in here at Landmark College. The student is talented and energetic, meets difficulties head on, works hard, and is dedicated to his or her studies. This student also finds time to contribute to the well-being of other persons and to the life of the Landmark College community as a whole.

Class Gift 

 

May 2026 Graduates 

Associate of Arts in General Studies:

Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies:

Associate of Science in Biology:

Associate of Science in Computer Science:

Bachelor of Communication & Entrepreneurial Leadership:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

JJ Davis*°€: “The Birth of MAGA: What Led to President Trump’s 2016 and 2024 Election?”
Saleh D’Kaidek: “Reviews of the Yuka App: A Content Analysis on the Nutritional Scanner”
Calvin Jordan*°: “Truth Discovery: Mechanisms, Accuracy, & Real-World Applications of Prediction Markets”
Charles Karwowski: “The Impact of Defunding Public Media: Chicago Radio After the Rescissions Act”
Ethan Lyles: “Project APEX: A 501(c)(3) to Help Fund Landmark’s Front Porch”
Felix Mann*°: “Directing Landsharks Abroad: A Podcast About Leading Inclusive Study Abroad at Landmark”
Anthony McKinney: “Effective Communication Within Microsoft: Crisis Communication in a Post Epstein Environment”
Nailah Quail-Parker: “Falling Through the Cracks: Intersectionality and Neurodiversity”
Matty Robson: “Journalism and News Production at WLMC Radio”
Claudia VanGessel*°: “How Nike Shapes Consumer Behavior: Examining Nike’s Social Media Presence”

 

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies: 

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Kris Archuleta€: “Historical Events & People: Representation in the Star Wars Saga”
Harry Blakenship: “What Makes a Good Sequel”
Aesop Block: “Effects of Epilepsy in Relation to Mental Health”
Chris Levesque: “American College Students: Public Health Trust v. Skepticism” 
Apollo Miller: “Are We What We Eat? Meat Consumption & Gender Presentation”
Joey Ripp: “What Am I Doing? Why Am I Here: A Memoir in Clay”

 

Bachelor of Arts in History:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Kris Archuleta€: “Historical Events & People: Representation in the Star Wars Saga”
Cavainna McBurnett: “The Fabric of Film: Weaving Between History & Fantasy”
Ian McCory: “Elections and the Future We Want”

 

Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Arts:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Catherine Brogan: “Emotions in Motion”
Christopher Gurr: “Echoes of the Metro”
Emily Lighthall: “All Squared Away”
Chloe Lindsay: “The Study of Fashion and Drawing”
Macy Scheldberg€: “Behind the Mask: IRL.COM”

 

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Parker Hirsch: “Neurodivergent Individuals in Law Enforcement: Benefits, Struggles, and Support Needs”
Ava Lapsley*: “Designing a Neurodivergent 5th Grade Lesson with UDL and Motivation Theory”
Nat Lauter*°: “UDL or Aptitude Treatment Interaction: Can Different Learning Needs Truly Co-Exist in a Classroom?”
Julia Yaeger: “Empowering Neurodivergent Children in Speech Therapy: Stripping Away Unnecessary Norms”

 

Bachelor of Science in Biology:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Anastasio Bonhomme*°♦: “Growth Through Gaming: Using Game Mechanics to Aid Learning Outcomes”
Calla Lunney: “Diatoms of Putney”
Fiona Mann*°€: “Ferment and Flourish”
Molly Perlmutter*°: “Making Landmark College Bird Friendly”
Ben Upchurch: “Creating an Artificial Stream to Observe Macroinvertebrates in the Lab”

 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science:

Each baccalaureate student was required to complete a capstone project of their choosing.

Owain Lucas*°€: “AURA File Converter”
David Schmidt: “Engagement and Productivity for ADHD Students in Computer Science”
Sam Spinney: “Eclipse Map 2025”
Zac Van Gelder: “A Smart Assistant for Managing Schedules and Free Time”  

 

Certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity: Specialization in Executive Function

 

Symbol Key

° Golden Key Honor Society
* Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
€ Honors Program
^ Communication
Ω Psychology
μ Humanities
¤ Education
¥ Integrated Arts
β Computer Science
♦ AIE-STEMPLOS scholars are a group of students at Landmark College that receive scholarship funds from the NSF and participate in cohort activities related to identifying and participating in internship activities. Students are in the AS or BS Life