Discover Snead State

From Boaz to Rhode Island, one Snead State graduate is going the distance to achieve his dreams.

Landon Naylor of Sardis earned his Associate degree in history from Snead State Community College this spring, but by this fall, he will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, to attend one of the most prestigious universities in the country.

Naylor will attend Brown University to study art history and French.

“I hope to work as a curator, preferably in one of the Smithsonian museums. Curating a museum involves art, culture, and travel, along with numerous other aspects that make a career as a curator attractive to me,” he said.

The Sardis High School graduate attended Snead State as part of the Presidential Scholar program. His academic success led him to not only be accepted to Brown but also to Rhodes College and the College of William and Mary.

“Brown University famously eliminated degree requirements in 1969 with the establishment of the ‘new curriculum,’ which allows students to be the ‘architects of their own educations.’ Brown excites me because I’ll have more autonomy in deciding my own education; I’ll take courses in my desired concentrations, and reinforce them with electives in subjects that interest me,” Naylor said.

“Attending an Ivy League university is a wonderful opportunity for Landon. The educational experience will be unlike anything he’s ever had before, but the social experience will enhance his learning. He’ll interact with different cultures; he’ll experience new ideas within his classes; and he’ll grow as a leader,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley.

Naylor doesn’t foresee experiencing any “culture shock” once he moves from Boaz to Providence, Rhode Island. To him, the challenge in attending a private Ivy League university is the cost.

Whatever he may face when he pursues his academic career, Naylor said he knows he’s prepared, and his Snead State education was an important part of the preparation.

“Snead State has resources that are better than or equal to the quality of those offered by much larger institutions. Because of this, I’ve never felt at a disadvantage while attending Snead State,” he said. “Snead gave me experiences and opportunities that made transferring into an Ivy League possible.”

Brown University was founded in 1764 and is the seventh oldest college in the United States. Brown’s enrollment consists of 6,000 undergraduates, 2,000 graduate students, 400 medical school students, and more than 5,000 summer, visiting and online students. The university has a diverse faculty of almost 700. Students come to Brown from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.