The announcement that Green Mountain College's campus will become a Christian university, Z University, has sparked a mix of excitement and skepticism in the small town of Poultney, Vermont. The college's closure in 2019 due to declining enrollment and financial pressures has left the 115-acre campus in a state of limbo. Now, with the potential arrival of Z University, the town is abuzz with anticipation and questions. The man behind this ambitious project is Tommie Zito, a religious leader who believes God has chosen Vermont for a 'third great awakening'. Zito's vision involves transforming the campus into a gospel-centered liberal arts college, housing around 1,000 students. However, the road to this realization is fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
Zito's plan is to acquire the campus through a deal with Raj Bhakta, the whiskey magnate who purchased the campus in 2020 and later decided to donate it. The agreement is almost finalized, and Zito hopes to meet with town officials to discuss the project. While the town manager, Paul A. Donaldson, acknowledges the development as 'evolving', he also emphasizes the need for a permitting process at both the town and state levels. This process could potentially take several years, raising questions about the timeline for Z University's establishment.
The financial implications of this project are significant. Bhakta estimated that restoring the campus would cost $200 million, and annual operating costs could reach $1 million. However, Zito suggests that maintaining the campus without major rebuilding would be more cost-effective. The challenge of securing funding is a major concern, with Zito relying on large donors, businesses, churches, and 'mom-and-pop givers' to support the school's mission. This funding model is a 'faith journey', as Zito describes it, and its success is uncertain.
The town residents' reactions to Zito's plans are mixed. Some are intrigued by the prospect of a new educational institution, while others are skeptical, especially given the AI-generated content in Zito's Facebook video. Rebecca Cook, the director of the Poultney Public Library, expressed confusion and concern about the authenticity of the information presented. Zito addressed these concerns, attributing the AI usage to 'motioning the pictures' and confirming the authenticity of the drone footage and campus photos.
The religious undertones of Z University's mission are evident. Zito's personal website outlines a vision for awakenings across America, Canada, and Italy, and he has been working in New Hampshire before being 'brought to Vermont' by God. He believes that Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, collectively known as 'the preacher's graveyard', are prime locations for a religious revival. This revival, according to Zito, will lead to people 'coming to Christ in record numbers'.
Despite the enthusiasm among some followers, the challenges and uncertainties surrounding Z University's establishment are undeniable. The town's residents, like Cook, have valid questions about the property's condition and the new owner's ability to maintain it. The fate of the campus and the town's future as a potential hub for religious education hangs in the balance, leaving Poultney and its residents to await the outcome of this ambitious project.
