30th Anniversary History Book

Students enjoy a meal at the Chopping Block

students. The financial picture had improved, too, allowing the school to expand its facilities and acreage. A free celebration open to the public was held in early December 2009: the Starry Night Open House at Beacon’s downtown office. “I think people within the community, within the county, within the region have heard of Beacon College, but have no idea what it is we actually do,” vice president for institutional advancement Walt Zielinski said at the time. “So, we’re celebrating our 20th, inviting people in and sort of alleviating the mystery of what is Beacon College.”

He was proud of Beacon’s mission: “We don’t have traditional students here; we only have students with learning disabilities. So their comfort factor is outstanding.” Zielinski was the first person Beacon hired with a major directive to raise money. He courted donors large and small, including foundations and companies, to invest in Beacon. Annual contributions to the school went from an average of $90,000 to $300,000, improving the school’s bottom line and setting the stage for more growth.

During 2010, Beacon announced construction plans for administration and education buildings, including the intention to buy the old Chopping Block Restaurant, 117 W. Main St., for a dining hall. It now serves as the school cafeteria, serving three meals a day during the calendar year. Leading the board of trustees during the second half of Brodbeck’s tenure were Dr. Richard O. Williams of Colorado (2002- 2014) and Sam Battaglia (1998-2011). Both chairs were intimately familiar with Beacon and its value and unique standing in American higher education, as both their daughters graduated the college.

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