This weekend, Vermont State University in Castleton, Vermont, celebrated its graduates, and among those being honored was a special campus friend—a cat named Max—who received an honorary degree.
Max is a well-known figure on campus. He lives nearby and spends his days visiting students and faculty, quickly becoming a campus favorite.
Max’s owner, Ashley Dow, shared his unique role on campus. “I was asked, ‘What’s your affiliation with the college?’ I was like, ‘My cat is the emotional support animal,’” Ashley told WCAX. “He likes to be carried around on backpacks. Students pick him up and he crawls up on their backs.”
Students and faculty love Max because he’s friendly and loves attention. He’s always ready for a cuddle or a pet, making everyone’s day a little brighter.
At the end of the semester, the university gave Max his own honorary diploma. The university announced, “With a resounding purr of approval from the faculty, the Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Cat-leges has bestowed upon Max Dow the prestigious title of Doctor of Litter-ature, complete with all the catnip perks, scratching post privileges, and litter box responsibilities that come with it.”
This honorary degree acknowledges Max’s positive influence on campus life, showing how important animals can be for mental health and well-being.
Jessica Duncan from the university described how much joy Max brings to the campus. “You can see him enlighten students,” Jessica said. “Day to day, I look out my window and see him walking along and I see students put down their phones and pick up Max, and he jumps on their back and they’re taking selfies with him. He draws the crowds.”
As the semester ends and summer begins, Max might find the campus a bit lonely, but he will be ready to meet new students in the fall.
Max’s honorary diploma is well-deserved, celebrating how much happiness he brings to everyone at Vermont State University. Congratulations, Max, for your special recognition!
