Evangelical preacher Tommie Zito is planning to covert Green Mountain College in Poultney into Z University. Seen on Friday, July 31, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger Tommie Zito, a Florida Evangelist, officially took ownership of the more than 100-acre former Green Mountain College campus property last week.  Zito aims to transform the campus in the heart of downtown Poultney into a Christian university, called Z University, which he plans to expand eventually to have campuses across the globe. While the total purchase price amounts to $6 million, Zito put down a deposit of $1 million, plus a promissory note valued at $5 million with property mortgage and security interest as collateral, according to the purchase agreement documents acquired by VTDigger. The town received the sale records between Whiskey mogul and media personality Raj Bhakta’s companies and Z University Inc. on Monday after the closing date on Oct. 1, said Town Clerk Betsy Wescott.  The security interest grants Bhakta’s company, Regenerative Land Holdings LLC, the legal right to Z University Inc.’s present and future assets if the debt is not paid, according to the mortgage documents VTDigger obtained.  Zito made the announcement of his purchase on social media, calling the transfer of campus property, which was originally a Methodist educational institution built in 1834, an “incredible supernatural acceleration into the Third Great Awakening.” The First and Second Great Awakenings were historical periods of Christian religious revival in the 1730-’40s and 1790-1830s.  “This campus, which was started for the gospel of Jesus Christ, can’t get away from America’s spiritual heritage. Vermont can’t get away from its great spiritual heritage,” Zito said in a video on Facebook this week.  He said in a previous interview with VTDigger that he thinks his evangelical work will have more of an impact in Vermont due to the population’s low rates of religious affiliation.  Bhakta wrote in an email to VTDigger that the U.S. needs a great revival, and he wishes “Pastor Zito every blessing in this noble endeavor.” Green Mountain College in Poultney on Friday, July 31, 2026. Evangelical preacher Tommie Zito is planning to covert the college into Z University. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger Bhakta had owned the property since 2020 when he purchased it for $4.8 million after Green Mountain College folded in 2019.  Bhakta had various ideas for the campus property ranging from a sustainable agriculture initiative to a resort with residential development, which never came to fruition. He put up the college campus for donation this spring following property tax disputes with the town of Poultney. The property includes academic and administrative buildings, dormitories and athletic facilities such as a pool and gymnasium, according to the donation website.  Bhakta planned to give away the property to a Christian organization that aims to revive “Western civilization” and has financial means to operate the campus and deal with deferred maintenance. While Zito was Bhakta’s chosen recipient, Zito previously told VTDigger that he would not be receiving a donation, but instead would be purchasing the property. Zito has a checkered financial past, as the Internal Revenue Service revoked the 501(c)3 status of his organization American Awakenings Inc. and he filed for bankruptcy for his organization Tommie Zito Ministries in 2010. Zito also previously started a religious bible school that went defunct in the 2010s. For Zito’s part, he said in an interview this summer that he has learned from the mistakes of his past ventures and wants to recruit well-qualified people and delegate leadership roles at Z University.   As the property’s new owner, Zito will take on the responsibility of resolving allegations that Bhakta violated Act 250 regulations by operating a school and a whiskey business, as well as modifying buildings on the property, according to Peter Gill, executive director of the state’s Land Use Review Board. The state board enforcement and compliance teams are in discussion with Zito, Gill wrote in an email Tuesday.   READ MORE Zito wrote in an email Wednesday that the immediate tasks at hand are to revitalize the property, fundraise for renovations and work to receive accreditation and approvals from the state.   He plans a “soft opening” in August 2027, with theology and evangelism colleges launching first, Zito wrote.  He expects Z University to fully open in August 2028, with proposed academic areas of study to include international business, digital communication, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, college of fine arts, nursing, education, agriculture and sustainable enterprise, he wrote.  Poultney is thriving economically and socially, Leah Romine, president of the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email to VTDigger. A good outcome for the former Green Mountain College campus could build on that success, she wrote.  “We hope the campus’s next chapter will bring opportunities that complement and further strengthen the community,” Romine wrote.  Read the story on VTDigger here: Florida evangelist purchases former Green Mountain College campus from Whiskey mogul. ...read more read less