‘Doctor of Litter-ature’: Max the cat gets honorary degree at University of Vermont

Students at the campus say they pet and take selfies with Max anytime he visits the campus

A Vermont university has bestowed the honorary degree of “doctor of litter-ature” on Max the cat, a beloved member of its community, ahead of students’ graduation on Saturday.

Vermont State University’s Castleton campus is honoring the feline not for his mousing or napping, but for his friendliness.

“Max the Cat has been an affectionate member of the Castleton family for years,” the school said in a Facebook post.

The popular tabby lives in a house with his human family on the street that leads to the main entrance to campus.

“So he decided that he would go up on campus, and he just started hanging out with the college students, and they love him,” owner Ashley Dow said Thursday.

Max the Cat stands in front of Woodruff Hall at Vermont State University Castleton on on 12 October, 2023 in Castleton, Vermont. He received an honorary degree from the university for being a beloved member of the college community (©2023 Vermont State University)

He’s been socializing on campus for about four years, and students get excited when they see him. They pick him up and take selfies with him, and he even likes to go on tours with prospective students that meet at a building across from the family’s house, she said.

“I don’t even know how he knows to go, but he does,” Dow said. “And then he’ll follow them on their tour.”

Vermont State University students pet Max the Cat in front of Leavenworth Hall at Vermont State University Castleton on 12 October, 2023 in Castleton, Vermont (©2023 Vermont State University)

The students refer to Dow as Max’s mom, and graduates who return to town sometimes ask her how Max is doing.

Max won’t be participating in the graduation, though. His degree will be delivered to Dow later.