Students & Alumni Break Record for Giving in 2015

by Solvegi Shmulsky

PUTNEY, Vt.--Alumni and student support of Landmark College is up by 26 percent in 2015. The record number of gifts came after a presidential challenge to increase donors. As a result of the successful campaign, the former Middle Hall at Landmark College will be renamed Alumni Hall. “Alumni humanize the lasting effects of education, and their lives are proof of what can be accomplished,” said College President Dr. Peter Eden. Alumni Hall, the third residential hall on Perseverance Lane, will be officially recognized in a ceremony on Saturday, September 26, 2015, during Alumni Homecoming. 

Alumni are proof that what we do on campus truly works.—Dr. Eden

“Word spread that alumni were interested in naming a residence building, so we presented a challenge,” explained Dr. Peter Eden, president of Landmark College. “If a greater number of alumni and students pledged to the Annual Fund by June 30, we’d rename the building.” The purpose of the challenge was to increase the number those who support the College.

The challenge was met by the generosity of 160 donors, 82 of whom gave for the first time. Compared to last year, the number of participants increased by 33 and the dollars raised doubled. “Alumni are proof that what we do on campus truly works,” he said. “They embody our ideals and they represent the College every day.”

Eden credits the leadership of the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), Student Affairs, and the Office of Alumni Relations for mobilizing this effort. He said, “Michael Macho ('04, AAB Chair) and Tricia Stanley (Alumni Relations) are doing such a great job convincing alumni to stay connected.”

“Alumni recognize the valuable role they can play for the College,” said Macho, who now runs a technology company in the Los Angeles area. “I am extremely happy that so many have stepped up for Landmark.” He also noted that mobilizing students and alumni will be an ongoing effort in the future. “With participation, we strengthen our position to get grants, and that is very valuable to the College,” he explained.

Tricia Stanley, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, commented on the significance of naming Alumni Hall. “This building represents our amazing alumni and shows the lasting bonds that are formed here,” she said. “Active alumni are the finest role models our newest Sharks could have.”

Naming Alumni Hall coincides with a larger effort to identify campus spaces by the names of individuals or concepts that have been instrumental in building the College and its mission. The road to Alumni Hall, called Perseverance Drive, reflects the long-haul work ethic students must cultivate to reach their academic goals. In 2014, the Edward Durrell Stone Residence Hall was named in honor of the architect who designed the campus, and in fall 2015, the Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science, Technology & Innovation Center will be named for a 1999 alumna and supporter.

“We always want to understand and recognize the people who came before us, to make the campus what it is today,” said Eden. “We want to encourage students to stay involved with the College, and Alumni Hall will remind them that they, too, will be successful alumni of this important place.”