PUTNEY — Landmark College has announced it will present Al Roker with its LD Luminary Award during its “Rising to the Challenge” online fundraiser on Thursday, April 29, at 8:15 p.m.
Roker, who will provide remarks during the event, is the Emmy Award–winning weather and feature anchor and co-host of NBC News' Today franchise.
He has written and spoken about his family's journey with a child who has learning differences, noting that stigmatizing labels are frustrating because they do not convey the essence of the whole person.
In addition to Roker, the evening's program will include stories from students, parents and faculty members about how Landmark College helps students with learning differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges) achieve their academic and career goals.
Previous recipients of the award are Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg, who discussed her lifelong struggle with dyslexia; actress, activist, and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete, whose HollyRod Foundation supports families with autistic children; and New York Times bestselling author John Elder Robison - an advisor to the Center for Neurodiversity at Landmark College - whose books detail his own neurodiversity.
Funds raised from ticket sales, 50-50 raffle, silent auction, and live fund-a-need auction will help increase student access to scholarships and financial aid, and provide financial support for the college during the COVID-19 pandemic and demographic challenges in the Northeast.