A Cat Just Earned His Doctorate from a Vermont University: ‘Doctor of Litter-ature’
If you’ve ever been to a university and thought to yourself, “Gee, I wish I had a more interesting graduation story,” then get ready to meet Max — the 6-year-old tabby cat who just earned a degree that’s literally out of this world… well, out of the litter box, at least. Meet Dr. Max, the Doctor of Litter-ature from Vermont State University. No, really, he has the honorary doctorate to prove it.
Max’s journey from local campus kitty to academic icon has been one for the ages — or should we say for the nine lives. His tale began when his owner, Ashley Dow, started letting him roam the neighborhood near the Castleton campus.
Turns out, Max took to college life like a fish to water — or, should we say, a cat to a warm sunbeam. He started hanging around the school, quickly becoming a beloved campus fixture.
Maurice Ouimet, the school’s dean of admissions, describes Max as a “very affectionate” cat who often beats him to the office in the morning. “He’ll be the first one to greet me,” Ouimet says.
“And in the winter, he’ll come inside the admissions office to warm up.” But Max’s real claim to fame isn’t just his punctuality or love of a good belly rub — it’s the way he interacts with the students.
Max has become something of a campus legend. “His daily routine revolves around where our students are,” Ouimet says.
“He’s often found sitting on the wall outside our main academic buildings, where students pass by. He’ll jump on their backpacks, and before you know it, everyone’s snapping selfies with him.” Talk about a social media influencer. The students, of course, love him. Max is a cat with a mission — he just wants to make you smile.
“He’s definitely a charismatic cat,” Ouimet adds. “He draws people in. You’ll see him purring and standing up when people approach him.
He’s always happy to reciprocate affection.” And don’t forget his campus tour guide duties — Max is known for greeting prospective students and their families, making them feel like they’ve found something truly special in the heart of Castleton. A feline ambassador? Sounds like a perfect fit.
Now, let’s talk about that doctorate. It wasn’t just handed to Max on a whim — it came at a pivotal moment in Vermont State University’s history.
The 2024 class marks the university’s first-ever graduating class after a merger of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College.
The transition has been a rollercoaster ride for students, faculty, and staff alike, navigating the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, a school merger, and the inevitable graduation-day stress.
It was during this tumultuous time that Rob Franklin, the university’s social media manager, had the brilliant idea to make Max a part of the historic class. “Why not award him an honorary doctorate in ‘Litter-ature’?” Franklin thought. And with that, Dr. Max was born.
According to Ouimet, the idea was a lighthearted way to celebrate the school’s resilience. “It was really just a fun idea at first,” Ouimet says.
“But Max really did mean something to so many students. He brought a lot of joy to people on campus during a difficult time.” And though the university doesn’t technically award doctorates to cats, Max has certainly earned his place in the annals of Vermont State history.
When Dow first heard about the plan, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Really? OK,” she said with a chuckle. “I had no idea what it was going to open up.” But open up it did.
Max’s fame quickly spread beyond the campus, and now, he even has his own school email and directory page. Yes, you read that right — Max’s inbox has received messages from fans as far away as Germany and England.
“We’ve responded to messages from all over the world,” says Dow. “It’s crazy, but it’s so fun.”
The family even had to deal with a bit of drama — Max, being the free spirit he is, often found himself in scrapes with other cats in the neighborhood.
To make sure he stayed safe, Dow put up posters around campus, asking students to help bring Max home if they saw him out after dark. And sure enough, the students answered the call, often arriving at her doorstep with Max in tow.
On graduation day, Max didn’t walk across the stage (because, well, he’s a cat), but his name was called out during the ceremony. And that’s a level of fame most of us can only dream of.
Looking ahead, Ouimet says he doesn’t expect Max to slow down any time soon. As summer rolls around, the campus will be buzzing with new visitors attending summer camps, and Max will be there, basking in the spotlight — and likely taking a few more selfies with fans.
“People will definitely recognize him,” Ouimet says. “He’s the famous cat now. The whole world will know Max.” And with a doctorate to boot, we think Max is ready for the fame. After all, who wouldn’t want a doctorate in Litter-ature?
Max’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected creatures can have the biggest impact on our lives. Who knew that a cat with a knack for snuggling and greeting students could become such a symbol of joy, resilience, and school spirit? Dr. Max, we salute you.
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