University of Vermont bestows honorary Doctor of Literature degree on Kat, Vermont State University, Kat, Honorary Doctorate, Latest News

Castleton: A Vermont university awarded the honorary degree of “Doctor of Literature” to Max the Cat, a beloved member of the community, ahead of students’ graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Vermont State University’s Castleton campus honors the cat not for its mice or naps, but for its kindness.

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

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

“So he decided he was going to come to campus, and he just started hanging out with the students, and they love him,” owner Ashley Dow said Thursday.

He has 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 enjoys going on tour with prospective students who meet in a building across from the family’s home, 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 call Dow Max’s mother, and graduates returning to town sometimes ask her how Max is doing.

However, Max will not participate in the graduation ceremony. His diploma will later be presented to Dow. (AP)