Max, the campus cat? Try Dr. Max the Cat, thank you very much.
Vermont State University Castleton’s graduating class of 2024 had the honor of sharing their graduation celebrations over the weekend with none other than Max, a tabby cat who became 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 mother, Ashley Dow, about five years ago.
A former feral kitten from a nearby town, Max moved to the same street that leads to the main entrance to campus. The curious kitty soon learned that while school can be hard work for some, college can be a lot of fun for felines.
When Max was about a year old, he started exploring his neighborhood, Dow told USA TODAY. One day, he disappeared and his family began the search. That’s when they met him for the first time on campus and soon began to hear from the students.
“They just love him,” Dow told USA TODAY. “I get students giving me their welfare checks all day long.”
Max, the cat’s life on campus
For Max, visiting the Castleton campus means getting lots of attention, backpacking, climbing the greenhouse, posing for endless selfies, enjoying wherever he wants, and even leading tour groups.
“He’s been at the dean’s table, he’s felt at home at the dean’s table,” Dow said. “He was in the cafeteria, went to the director of the graduate program and she tracked me down and asked if I was Max’s mother.”
Max even tries to visit the campus during breaks, but returns disappointed to find there are no students there, Dow said. He once became confused and stopped visiting after classes resumed, prompting students who thought he had disappeared to set up a memorial for him, complete with framed photos and candles.
“The college called a few times asking if he was okay and I said, ‘No, he’s fine, he’s just fat and lazy,’” Dow joked. “We mentioned him a few times and… told him not to forget the people up there because they miss him.”
Vermont State University students help keep an eye on Max
Dow said students on campus often take care of Max.
Since a feral cat attack left Max injured, Dow has posted posters around campus asking students to text, call or take him home if they see him hanging outside after 5 p.m. day.
In one case, a recently graduated student returned to town and stopped at the Dow store to ask how Max was doing. In another, a social media post led students to believe that Max had been injured, which led to a full search that included not only students but also campus police.
“(People) ask ‘Are you Max’s mom?’ And I thought, ‘How did you know that?’” said Dow, who has come to accept her new moniker as the mother of the city’s most famous cat.
A litter doctor
The college was unable to place Max on the payroll (probably due to a lack of valid ID and tax documents), so instead they offered him a special honor.
“Max the Cat has been an affectionate member of the Castleton family for years,” the university shared in Instagram and Facebook posts.
“With a resounding purr of approval from the faculty, the Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Cat-leges has awarded Max Dow the prestigious title of Doctor of Literature, complete with all the perks of catnip, scratching privileges, and litter responsibilities that come with it,” the university said.
According to Dow, who was shocked and amused when the school contacted her about the diploma, some people in her life were initially in disbelief at the turn of events. A coworker she told thought she was a little “crazy,” she said, until Max started appearing in 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 the people who don’t understand because they haven’t met Max.”
Max — that’s Dr. Max for you — didn’t take the stage, but he showed up on campus this weekend, Dow said, and will probably start showing up in graduation photos all over social media. Your official diploma will be sent to your home by mail.
“I’m really happy that he makes everyone happy, he’s a great cat and he’s amazing,” Dow said. “(Students) were talking about how during finals they saw him and he made them less stressed and I understand…I’m glad it makes people happy and I’m happy to share it.”
