EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|Max the cat receives honorary doctorate in 'litter-ature’ from Vermont university

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Vermont State University Castleton's 2024 graduating class had the honor of sharing their commencement celebrations over the weekend with none other than Max, a tabby cat who has become something of a local celebrity during his time at the university.

Max, recognized by the college by his formal name Max Dow, has become something of a fixture on campus since moving into his nearby home with his mom, Ashley Dow, about five years ago.

A former feral kitten of a nearby town, Max moved onto the very same street that leads to the campus's main entrance. The curious kitty soon learned that, while school can be a slog for some, college can be lots of fun for felines.

When Max was about a year old, he began exploring his neighborhood, Dow told USA TODAY. One day, he went missing and his family began the search. That's when they first found him on campus and, soon, they began hearing from the students.

"They just love him," Dow told USA TODAY. "I get students giving me welfare checks on him throughout the day."

Max the cat's campus life

For Max, paying a visit to the Castleton campus means getting lots of attention, taking rides on backpacks, scaling the greenhouse, posing for endless selfies, basking anywhere he pleases and even leading tour groups.

"He's been on the dean's desk, he made himself at home on the dean's desk," Dow said. "He's been in the coffee house, he walked right up to the head of the graduate program and she tracked me down and asked if I was Max's mom."

Max even attempts to visit the campus during breaks but returns disappointed after discovering no students are there, said Dow. Once, he got confused and stopped visiting after classes resumed, prompting students who thought he had disappeared to make a memorial for him, complete with framed photos and candles.

"The college has called a couple of times asking if he's OK and I say, 'No he's fine, he's just fat and lazy,'" Dow joked. "We brought him up a couple of times and ... told him don't forget the people up there because they miss you."

Vermont State University students help keep an eye on Max

Dow said that students at the campus often look out for Max.

Ever since an attack by a feral cat left Max injured, Dow posted signs around campus asking students to text, call or bring him home if they see him hanging outside after 5 p.m. The students do just that, on top of providing periodic updates throughout the day.

In one case, a since-graduated student returned to town and stopped by Dow's business to ask how Max was. In another, a post on social media led students to believe Max had been injured, prompting a full-blown search that included not only students but the campus police.

"(People) ask 'Are you Max's mom?' And I'm like, 'How did you know that?'" said Dow, who has come to accept her new moniker as mom to the most famous cat in town.

A doctor of litter-ature

The college couldn't put Max on the payroll (likely thanks to his lack of valid ID and tax documents), so they've offered him the special honor instead.  

"Max the Cat has been an affectionate member of the Castleton family for years," the university shared in posts on Instagram and Facebook.

"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," the university said.

According to Dow, who was floored and amused when the school contacted her about the degree, some people in her life didn't believe the turn of events at first. A coworker she told thought she was a little "crazy," she said, until Max started appearing on the news.

"She said 'Ashley, I'm sorry, I thought you were crazy but now I see it's true,'" Dow said. "Everyone loves it except people who don't get it because they haven't met Max."

Max − that's Dr. Max to you − did not get to walk on the stage but did make an appearance on campus this weekend, said Dow, and will likely start popping up in graduation photos all across social media. His official diploma will be sent to his home via mail.

"I'm so super happy he makes everyone so happy, he's a great cat and it's awesome," Dow said. "(The students) were talking about how during finals they saw him and he made them less stressed and I get it ... I'm glad it makes people happy and I'm glad to share."