Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, is devoted entirely to teaching college students with learning disabilities including ADHD, dyslexia, 
Asperger's Syndrome, etc. Landmark is a unique school where students who have often failed in traditional academic environments are encouraged to thrive. In May another proud class of Landmark Graduates accepted their degrees and were each asked to make up to a two-minute speech. Below are excerpts from one of the graduate's, Thomas Finkenkeller, inspiring speech.
Landmark College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
"All of us graduates, we stand here now as victors. Each one of these graduates has a long road behind them- a difficult road of discrimination, mockery, frustration, and disappointment that comes with a learning disability. But despite such mental profiles, we have taken on college-level learning, and emerged as unlikely victors. In this spirit, I would like to recognize those who have supported us and also those who have rooted against us. For both, this is the moment of truth.
...By earning degrees, we reflect the learning capability that we have always had. It is not the diploma that validates the student; it is the capable mind that makes the diploma its own. It is the person that makes the degree, not the degree that makes the person.
I have acquired many understandings during my time at Landmark. Learning isn't linear. You can't plan it perfectly, and sometimes it is only won with great effort... We come to Landmark because it is a school dedicated to transforming learning for everyone- not just those who are naturally suited to academia...
For every graduate here, there are many more who do not make it as far. But with every effort that faculty, staff, and even students take to improve Landmark, we are able to empower more and more minds to succeed.
To all of us, and not least myself, this moment will be seen as a point- when we turned a losing battle into a winning one."
Leave a comment