‘Doctor of Litter-ature’: Max the cat gets honorary degree at Vermont university
Students at the campus say they pet and take selfies with Max anytime he visits the campus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
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.”
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.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments