VTSU - Lyndon Alumni Council

07/20/2026

Dear Alumni,

I am reaching out to request your assistance with a Homecoming initiative that the Alumni Council is currently undertaking.

Last year, we conducted a survey among Lyndon Alumni, and one of the key questions was, "What makes you feel most connected to Lyndon?" A prominent response was the relationships with faculty and staff.

This brings me to my request. We are in the process of locating former faculty and staff to organize a reunion reception at Homecoming. Therefore, I would like to know which professors, past faculty, former staff members, or even past Presidents you would like to see at Homecoming this September.

We have made efforts to compile a list, but we would greatly appreciate your input. Please send your suggestions to scormier55@comc​ast.net. Your assistance would mean a lot to us. I would ask that you please reply no later than Monday July 27th.

During this reception, you will also have the opportunity to meet our new President, Dr. Sherry Kollmann. A question and answer session will be included as part of our reunion festivities.

Thank you in advance for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at our 2026 Homecoming for Alumni and Families, scheduled for the weekend of September 25th-27th. The weekend will include a golf tournament, Varsity and Alumni games, Cook out, Ice Cream Social and the return of the Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni award banquet.

Stay informed about Homecoming and all Alumni-related news by visiting our new website, lyndonalumni.com.

Best regards,

Steve Cormier
Lyndon State College 1982
President, VTSU Lyndon Alumni Council
Scormier55@comc​ast.net

07/13/2026

**LYNDON GOLF TOURNAMENT RETURNS**

The day has finally arrived. Registration is now open for the inaugural Skip Pound and Dudley Bell Legacy Golf Classic, set for Friday, September 25th, at St. Johnsbury Country Club. This event will kick off the 2026 VTSU Lyndon Homecoming weekend for alumni and families.

Registration opens at 11 AM, followed by a shotgun start at 12 noon.

You can find registration forms on the new Alumni Council website, Lyndonalumni.com. The form includes a link for credit card payments. If you prefer to pay by check, you can find the necessary instructions on the registration form. I am excited to share that our new President, Dr. Sherry Kollman, will be joining us that day.

Food will be available before and after the tournament. Contest including a putting contest, 50/50 raffles, you can buy mulligans plus well have contests for the longest drive, closest to the pin and Hole in One.

It’s been a few years since Lyndon hosted a golf tournament, and the Lyndon Alumni Council, in collaboration with Lyndon Athletics, is thrilled to bring it back, and we are hoping you will join us. We want to thank Lyndon Alum, John LeMieux and Anton LeMieux Financial Group for being our Hornet Overall Champion Sponsor.

Kick off your weekend at St. Johnsbury Country Club and stay for the festivities. Homecoming Saturday will feature varsity soccer matches and several alumni games, plus the return of the Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Award banquet on Saturday night. More details will be shared soon.

All information can be found at Lyndonalumni.com.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in September.

Steve Cormier
Lyndon State College 1982
President, VTSU Lyndon Alumni Council
[email protected]

07/07/2026

**SEEKING AWARD NOMINATIONS**

Greetings Lyndon Alumni,

As we approach Homecoming in September, the Lyndon Alumni Council is excited to continue the tradition of presenting the annual Alumni Awards at our Fall Homecoming. The awards include:

Outstanding Young Alumni
Faculty Recognition Award
Loyalty Award
Award of Special Merit

We invite you to submit your nominations for one or more of these awards. Each recipient will be honored at Homecoming during the Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Award banquet, scheduled for Saturday night, September 26th. Please note that the deadline for submissions is Friday August 7th, allowing the council sufficient time to reach out to each honoree to facilitate their attendance.

Additionally, the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the Alumni Council, is awarded at Commencement in the spring. The recipient of this award will have the privilege of addressing the 2027 Lyndon graduation class. Nominations for this award are due by January 31st, 2027, and you may nominate an individual now or in the coming months.

If you are aware of someone deserving of recognition, please submit a nomination. It is crucial to review the criteria for each award, as failure to do so may prevent a nominee from advancing.

Each qualified nomination will remain eligible for five years from the date of submission.

I must candidly express that our nominations have been limited in recent years, and we are hopeful for a greater number of nominations for each award this time around.

To cast your vote, we have launched a new Lyndon Alumni website. Simply visit Lyndonalumni.com, scroll down to the Alumni Awards section, and ensure you select the Lyndon Campus to view the list of awards available.

At the bottom of this email, you will find the criteria for each award. It is critical for your candidate to be considered that you follow the criteria.

Thank you for your time and participation.

GO LYNDON!

Steve Cormier
Lyndon State College 1982
President of VTSU Lyndon Alumni Council


Distinguished Alumni Award

This award honors an alumnus/a who has excelled in their profession and has contributed to their state and community. Candidates who have shown interest, service, and varying contributions to the Lyndon campus will receive special consideration. The winner will be announced in February and will have the opportunity to speak at Graduation.
*Nomination must be 100-150 words examples specific to criteria.


Outstanding Young Alumni Award

This award aims to recognize alumni who have completed their degree within the last ten years and who have excelled professionally in their field of study while also have shown interest, service, and varying contributions to the Lyndon campus will receive special consideration.
*Nomination must be 100-150 words specific to criteria*

Faculty Recognition Award

This award was established in 1998 by the Lyndon Alumni Council to honor a current or former faculty member who has significantly impacted and contributed to the lives of alumni.
*Nomination must be 75-100 words specific to criteria*

Loyalty Award

This accolade is a distinguished recognition bestowed upon Lyndon alumni and volunteers, acknowledging their remarkable loyalty and dedicated service to Lyndon.
*Nomination must be 75-100 words specific to the criteria*


Award of Special Merit

This accolade is awarded to Lyndon alumni who are currently employed by the university or have been in the past, in acknowledgment of their profound interest, dedicated service, and exceptional commitment to the institution.
*Nomination must be 75-100 words specific to the criteria*

07/03/2026

The Lyndon Alumni Council welcomes Dr. Sherry Kollmann as Vermont University's new president, who officially started on July 1st.

President Kollmann expressed her excitement at joining Vermont State University, sharing, “what’s impressed me most about Vermont and Vermont State University are the people. From the dedicated faculty and staff who are actively shaping minds and lives, to the incredible students who are laying the groundwork for their careers, job changes, and future aspirations. It’s an honor and a privilege to step into this leadership role and I look forward to connecting with more and more as the year progresses.”

As president, Dr. Kollmann is committed to advancing an enrollment growth strategy that expands access and opportunity for learners across the state. This includes a strong emphasis on growing enrollment across Vermont State University’s programs, learning modalities, and campuses—ensuring the university meets learners where they are through flexible, high-quality pathways, including online, hybrid, and campus-based experiences.

President Kollmann joins Vermont State after serving as Chancellor of New Mexico State University Global Campus. She brings over 25 years of experience in higher education, business and public service to her new role, including time at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, where she led the development and implementation of statewide education and training programs. She also served as Senior Associate Dean of Business Programs at Southern New Hampshire University and as Vice President of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at New England College.

The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees announced her selection on March 9, 2026, following a comprehensive national search.

“President Kollmann will lead Vermont State University in a time of tremendous change in higher education, particularly public higher education,” stated Lynne Dickinson, Chair of the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees. “She’s already building upon the foundation laid by her predecessors to ensure the university continues meeting the moment in education, workforce development, and its contributions to community vibrancy and resiliency.”

President Kollmann has a strong background in aligning business and industry workforce needs to university programs, and student needs to student success. A first-generation college student herself, President Kollmann has an enduring commitment to expanding access to education and training, and supporting students whose paths through higher education may not be traditional.

At New Mexico State University Global Campus, she successfully grew online enrollment to more than 3,500 students, developed more than 80 in-demand degree and certificate programs, secured $17 million in state appropriations, and generated more than $30 million in tuition revenue.

President Kollmann added, “education and training after high school has tremendous power in transforming lives, families, and communities. We see that every day at Vermont State University and it's a proud legacy I’m excited to build and contribute to. We are in a moment of global change and opportunity, and that brings forward endless possibilities for our students and our communities.”

In addition to her appointment as president of Vermont State University, President Kollmann will serve as Vice Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System alongside Community College of Vermont President Joyce Judy and under the leadership of Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Elizabeth Mauch.

“President Kollmann has already hit the ground running this summer, bringing her extensive experience, expertise, and fresh ideas to Vermont State University,” shared Elizabeth Mauch, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with her and President Judy as we move the Vermont State Colleges System into their next chapter.”

President Kollmann has a PhD in Instructional Psychology and Technology from the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on digital learning systems, learning science, motivational implications for faculty performance and inclusive and equity-driven education, with particular attention to underserved and rural populations. She also holds a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts from Concordia University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Bethel University.

President Kollmann succeeds Dr. David Bergh, president of Vermont State University from 2023 until his retirement in 2026.

06/10/2026

We are 108 days away from Homecoming and Family Weekend (September 25-27).

What event are you most hoping to see or participate in that weekend?

06/10/2026

Lyndon Grad. Congratulations

Leadership Announcement from Jon Schaefer -

Smugglers’ Notch Resort announced today the appointment of Brandon Swartz as its new General Manager, welcoming the seasoned ski industry leader whose lifelong connection to Vermont helped shape both his career and passion for mountain communities.

Swartz’s connection to Vermont began at just three years old when he first learned to ski at Mount Snow. That passion eventually led to his first job teaching children to ski at the resort and inspired a career that has spanned more than two decades in the ski industry. Swartz later graduated with a Recreation Resource and Ski Resort Management degree from Vermont State University Lyndon, where he met his wife and established lasting ties to the Northeast Kingdom. The couple would later marry at Burke Mountain, where Swartz also served as a ski patroller early in his career.

Now, after more than two decades of leadership roles at respected mountain resorts across the country, Swartz will return to Vermont to help steward one of the state’s most beloved mountain destinations. At Smugglers’ Notch, Swartz will oversee all aspects of resort operations while working closely with employees, homeowners, local businesses, and community partners.

“Coming back to Vermont is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Swartz. “This is where I learned the ski business and where I developed a deep appreciation for the role resorts play in their communities. My wife Nicole and I are excited for the move and to raise our sons on the mountain.”

Head to the link below to read the rest of the press release:

Ski Industry Veteran Brandon Swartz to lead Smugglers' Notch Resort as General Manager.

06/09/2026

https://gofund.me/fda49a282

Many have asked if there was a charity or organization that they could do… Josh Markie needs your support for Kindness, Compassion & Love: Honoring Don Markie

05/27/2026

Hello Lyndon Alumni,

You may have heard the rumor that Homecoming returns to Lyndon this fall. Well, it is not a rumor. It’s really happening. The Lyndon Alumni Council is proud to announce that we are hosting Homecoming this Fall 2026.

Homecoming will take place Friday September 25th through Sunday September 27th. That is the traditional weekend for Homecoming on the Lyndon Campus. Here are a few things we have planned.

The return of the Alumni Golf tournament at St. Johnsbury Country Club, the Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards reception, Men’s and Women’s varsity soccer matches, Alumni baseball, softball and Men’s and Women’s basketball games along with the return of the Lyndon Alumni Rugby match.

We are working on several other events based on feedback we received from alumni in a poll we conducted last year.

We have done our part, and now it’s up to you to show up and make it successful. We heard the complaints so it’s time to show up and support your volunteer Alumni council and more importantly, the place you fell in love with, where you made your closest friends and the place that prepared you for the rest of your life. No matter when you attended - Lyndon Normal school, Lyndon Teachers college, Lyndon State College, NVU Lyndon or VTSU Lyndon - your campus is still there and ready for your return.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday September 25th through Sunday September 27th. Make your plans now. More details to come. I promise you that when you walk back on that campus, it is still your campus.



Sincerely,

Steve Cormier

Lyndon State College 1982

President VTSU Lyndon Alumni Council

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

Hey Hornets! We just wanted to remind those of you who may still use your Lyndon emails that all alumni accounts will be deactivated by the end of the month. This is to address security and efficiency concerns. So if you need to save any contacts, please do so in the next couple of weeks! An email from the Office of Institutional Advancement with more information (originally sent March 2025) can be found below.