A friendly neighborhood tabby cat receives an honorary degree in “Litter-ature” from a Vermont university.
Paging Dr. Kitty
That’s Dr. Max Dow, to you. Max Dow, a once feral kitten, has been granted an honorary PhD from Vermont State University Castleton. After making a name for himself around campus for the last five years, Max has become a staple on the grounds and a famously friendly mascot for the school. He is beloved by students and faculty alike — so much so, the university bestowed an honorary doctorate of ‘litter-ature’ to him at this year’s commencement ceremonies.
Max’s Humble Beginning
Much like many other great scholars, Max’s life started with humble beginnings. He was living on the streets of a neighboring city in Vermont as a feral kitten before being adopted by his loving family and owner, Ashley Dow. Dow and her family live in a neighborhood shared with Vermont State University Castleton and about a year after moving into his new home, Max began to explore the campus for the first time.
In an interview with USA Today, Ashley Dow shares the first memories of Max making his way to campus. She and her family were worried when he hadn’t returned home. They went searching for Max and quickly found that he was exploring the university and was familiarizing himself with curious students and staff.
Students Who Care For Max
Max is well taken care of by students, much to the relief of his owner. Students have been responsible for looking out for Max’s well-being and regularly check in with his owners about his health and safety. Many residents on campus have Dow’s number and will send her update texts when Max is seen or is being cared for by a student or faculty member. After a run with some not-so-friendly stray cats in the neighborhood, Max was injured.
In response, Dow asked the school’s faculty and students to be vigilant about returning Max home by 5:00 PM so his family could keep an eye on him during the night. She shared that everyone has complied with her request on numerous occasions and goes out of their way to make sure he is looked out for when he’s around campus.
When Max wasn’t seen at school for an extended period of time, many students worried that Max had not recovered from the injuries. A makeshift memorial was created on campus and many students left notes and gifts in Max’s honor. Residents of the university grieved in earnest for Max for several days.
Of course, Max did show back up on campus sometime later, much to the student’s joy and amusement. His family confirmed that his absence was actually due to his confusion around school breaks and when he should be visiting campus and not because of any injuries sustained during his street fight.
Life As A College Student
Max has benefited from the many perks of being a ‘student’ on campus. According to Vermont State University, Max can be seen hitching rides across school grounds in students’ backpacks and has even been the artistic muse and subject of many photography major projects.
During school breaks, Max enjoys his own sort of vacation. He has learned to expect pauses in student schedules and, after a little adjustment period, learned to not visit the school during summer and winter breaks. His owners say that he misses the students as much as they miss him during their time away from class.
It’s not all play for Max, though. He also serves as an emotional support animal for students and is an honorary mascot. The school recognizes the value and joy he brings to campus for any and all visitors. All in a day’s work for the good doctor.
A Newly Minted Degree
After five years of dedication to Vermont State University and its students, the school decided it was time for Max to earn his degree. During the Spring 2024 commencement, Max was celebrated and met with applause when he earned his doctorate in “Litter-ature” alongside over 1,000 other students.
Max did not actually walk in the graduation ceremony, but did arrive on campus that weekend and celebrated with his fellow graduates through photos and social media posts. He received his diploma in the mail with all the official makings of a doctoral certificate. Max is also officially listed as a staff member in the VTSU Directory, where he has a staff profile sharing his wisdom for incoming students and displaying the expertise he brings to the school.
Vermont State University shared their feelings about Max in one quote saying, “We are incredibly proud of Max and deeply grateful for the role he plays within the culture of our University and for his part in elevating VTSU’s reputation for academic excellence and outstanding commitment to animal welfare.”
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Odessa
Carley Bishop
Carley is an editorial lifestyle writer and aspiring novelist. She is based in North Carolina where she resides with her husband and their puppy, Daisy, and is a proud graduate of University of South Carolina. Carley is a lifelong bookworm who enjoys reading everything from the classics to modern romances. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling, getting outside and trying new recipes at home.
