The Vermont House of Representatives adopted a Concurrent Resolution honoring Landmark College's 40th anniversary on Wednesday, April 16th. The resolution was introduced by State Representative Mike Mrowicki (D-Putney) in the House, and by State Senators Nader Hashim (D-Dummerston) and Wendy Harrison (D-Brattleboro) in the State Senate. The resolution celebrated Landmark's status as the world's preeminent - and first - college designed for students who learn differently. It also recognized Landmark's educational, cultural, and economic contributions to the Town of Putney and State of Vermont.
Prior to the Resolution being read and passed on the House floor, representatives from Landmark College - Interim President Jim Dlugos, Student Government President Grace Nelson, and student Daniel Cabaniss - spoke alongside Rep. Mrowicki at a press conference to both highlight Landmark's unique story, as well as to speak out against the ways in which higher education and neurodivergent people are being targeted in today's climate.
At the press conference, Interim President Jim Dlugos said "40 years ago, we knew just a fraction of what we do today about how to best educate those living with autism, attention deficit disorders, executive function challenges, or dyslexia and related diagnoses such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia. But what Landmark’s founders did know was that there had to be a better way. While Landmark may have been founded before the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides critical protections for our student population, we have no intention of being dragged back to an era where discrimination based on learning ability was the norm, let alone legally acceptable. At Landmark, we know that difference makes us stronger as a society, not weaker."
Speaking about her personal experience, Student Government President Grace Nelson said that "before attending Landmark, I thought of my Learning Differences as roadblocks, things that will always cause me pain and make me less than. But Landmark College is a testament to what it looks like when we provide learning suited to each individual student. (Landmark) gives people with learning differences a chance to thrive, despite a world that actively looks to undermine them."
Student Daniel Cabaniss added that "when I was first diagnosed with a learning disability as a teenager, I didn’t want to believe it. My diagnosis felt like an albatross around my neck. But as I’ve grown older, and found Landmark, I’ve come to appreciate the empowerment that can come from acknowledging your differences. Unfortunately, we live in unprecedented times. Higher education is under attack in America. Diversity, equity, and inclusion – those principles that are the cornerstone of the acceptance of difference – are being banned on college campuses by executive order. We’re standing on shaky ground right now, and vulnerable populations like the neurodivergent community are often the first to feel the pain when funding dries up."
The press conference and resolution were covered by WCAX News, Vermont's CBS affiliate.