A feline obtained its doctorate degree from a university in Vermont.
Max, a 6-year-old tabby, is unique in his own way. These days, he goes by the title "Doctor of Litter-ature."
He's been frequenting the Vermont State University's Castleton campus since his owner, Ashley Dow, started letting him out of the house. The school is within walking distance from their home.
Maurice Ouimet, the Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Services, described Max as a very affectionate cat who is always the first to greet him in the morning. During winters, Max visits the admissions office too.
"Max's day revolves around the students," Ouimet said. "He'll often go up the hill and wait outside one of our academic buildings to greet them as they arrive for class."
Max isn't afraid to interact with the students, Dow said. He'll climb on their backpacks and join them as they walk around. It's a regular occurrence for students to take selfies with Max.
Ouimet remarked, "He's a charismatic cat because he attracts people to him." Max usually responds to human affections by standing up and purring.
Max welcomed visitors during the school tours as well. Ouimet says Max considers it his duty to welcome people to the campus.
Max earned his degree at a significant moment in the university's history. Vermont State University is the result of the merger of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. The universities merged in the summer of 2023.
For the graduation ceremony in 2024, the school's communications office created a countdown to celebrate this year's graduating class. These seniors had to deal with the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent merger of the schools.
Vermont State's social media manager, Rob Franklin, came up with the idea to give Max an honorary doctorate in "Litter-ature." Most universities don't award doctorates (to people), keeping Max as the sole recipient of his academic title.
Ouimet said the decision was a lighthearted, sarcastic way to acknowledge Max's contribution to the school during a challenging time. "We wanted to celebrate the fact that Max brought joy and comfort to people when they needed it," Ouimet added.
Dow, Max's owner, found out about the idea and reacted with a laugh. "I thought that was really cool. And I didn't know what would come out of it," she admitted.
Max even has his own school email and directory listing. Dow and her daughter, Kaitlyn Tanner, a student at Vermont State, manage Max's emails, replying to messages from around the world.
Dow had to organize efforts to protect Max during a period when there was a problem with feral cats attacking him. She put up posters on campus asking students to contact her if they saw Max roaming the campus after dark. The response was impressive, with students bringing Max back to Dow's house.
Despite his popularity, Max didn't participate in the graduation ceremony. However, his name was called out.
This summer, Ouimet thinks Max will continue to visit the campus since it hosts summer camps. He's sure Max will garner more attention and be famous among students and visitors.
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Max and his owner, Ashley Dow, are proud that Max's achievements at Vermont State University have gained recognition beyond their local community.
During the graduation ceremony, Max's name was honored along with the human graduates, showing that his impact on the university community is deeply valued by the administration and students alike.
