New students cheer John Elder Robison and other speakers during Fall 2019 convocation
At the start of each fall and spring semester, Landmark College holds a traditional convocation ceremony to welcome new students and their families. At the Fall 2019 ceremony on August 31, LC traditions - including the handing out of ceremonial coins by Dr. Peter Eden, president, and Dr. Gail Gibson Sheffield, vice president for academic affairs - were again celebrated. In addition, best-selling author John Elder Robison, who is also guest lecturer at Landmark College and advisor to LC's Center for Neurodiversity, had the audience on its feet and cheering as he delivered a short but invigorating speech. Watch John's full speech below.
Dr. Eden's welcoming speech was interrupted by the presence of a spider on the podium, but he told students, "I'm not afraid of spiders, and you shouldn't be afraid about starting college." Watch Dr. Eden's speech below.
Shoshana Conley, a current Landmark College student studying for her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, got a standing ovation after an inspiring speech about finding LC to be a place where she fits in. See Shoshana's talk below.
LC alumnus Christopher Mathey '04 urged new students to take advantage of all the opportunities and supports Landmark College offers, and recounted all his subsequent successes since he "learned how to learn" and how to advocate for himself at LC. Watch Christopher's speech below.
Finally, communications professor Liza Burns used the very "Vermont" analogy of a maple seed to compare new students' journeys to Landmark College. See Liza's talk below.