Middlebury College facts for kids
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| Latin: Collegium Medioburiense Viridis Montis | |
| Motto | Scientia et Virtus (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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Knowledge and Virtue |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | November 1, 1800 |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $1.47 billion (2022) |
| President | Ian Baucom |
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Academic staff
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377 (2021) |
| Undergraduates | 2,773 (2022) |
| Location |
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United States
44°00′32″N 73°10′38″W / 44.00889°N 73.17722°W |
| Campus | Rural, 350 acres (140 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Nickname | Panthers |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Panther |
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Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont. A liberal arts college is a school where students study many different subjects, from science to art. Founded in 1800, Middlebury was the very first college to open in Vermont.
The college has about 2,760 undergraduate students from all 50 states and over 70 countries. Students can choose from 45 different subjects to major in. Middlebury is famous for its special programs, like the Middlebury College Language Schools where students learn new languages very quickly. It also has programs for studying English, international studies, and opportunities to study in other countries.
The college's sports teams are called the Middlebury Panthers. They compete in the NCAA Division III league.
History of the College
Early Years
Middlebury College was given its official charter on November 1, 1800. It grew out of a grammar school that had been started three years earlier. The college's first president, Jeremiah Atwater, started classes just a few days after the charter was signed.
The college was founded by local town leaders, not by religious figures. Two of the most important founders were Seth Storrs and Gamaliel Painter. Painter was a major supporter of the college in its early days. Today, when students graduate, they receive a copy of Gamaliel Painter's special walking stick, called a cane, to honor him.
Middlebury has a history of important "firsts."
- Alexander Twilight, who graduated in 1823, was the first Black graduate of any college in the United States. He later became the first African American elected to a state government.
- In 1883, the college decided to allow women to enroll. This made Middlebury one of the first all-male colleges in New England to accept both men and women.
Growth and Change in the 20th Century
In the 1900s, the campus grew much larger. New buildings like a library and a science hall were built with a classic look, using gray stone from Vermont.
During the early 20th century, some courses at Middlebury taught ideas about eugenics. This was a mistaken belief that society could be improved by encouraging some people to have children and discouraging others. These ideas are now widely rejected as wrong and harmful.
A big part of Middlebury's identity began in 1915 with the start of the German Language School. This was the beginning of the famous Middlebury College Language Schools. These summer schools now teach ten different languages, and students promise to speak only that language while they are there.
Other important programs started during this time:
- The Bread Loaf School of English began in 1920 on the college's mountain campus.
- The Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, a famous gathering for writers, started in 1926.
- The Schools Abroad program began in 1949, allowing students to study in countries all over the world.
- In 1965, Middlebury created the first Environmental Studies program for undergraduates in the U.S.
The College Today
In 2004, the college received a $50 million gift from a donor who wished to remain anonymous. It was the largest single cash gift in the school's history.
In 2017, the campus experienced a major protest. A controversial speaker, Charles Murray, was invited to campus. Many students disagreed with his ideas and protested to stop him from speaking. The event became very tense and drew national attention, sparking a big conversation at Middlebury about free speech. The college took action against some students who were involved in the protest.
Ian Baucom became the college's 18th president in 2025.
What You Can Study
Middlebury is known for its strong academic programs. The school year is split into two main semesters and a special "Winter Term" in January. During this "J-Term," students take just one course, do a research project, or get work experience through an internship.
Some of the most popular subjects for students to major in are:
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Political Science and Government
- Environmental Studies
- Neuroscience
Famous Language Schools
The Middlebury College Language Schools are a key part of the college. Every summer, about 1,350 students come to learn a language in an "immersion" environment. This means they sign a "Language Pledge," a promise to only speak, read, and write in the language they are studying. It is a very effective way to learn a language quickly.
Special Programs
Middlebury has several unique programs that make it stand out.
- The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey is a graduate school in California. It focuses on subjects like international business and language translation.
- The Bread Loaf School of English is held on a beautiful mountain campus. The famous poet Robert Frost was a big part of its early history.
- The C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad program lets students study in 17 different countries.
- The Bread Loaf Writers' Conference is one of the oldest and most respected writers' conferences in the country.
Campus Life
The main campus is 350 acres and is located in the beautiful Champlain Valley of Vermont. It sits between the Green Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains. The campus is known for its public art, with many sculptures placed in open areas for everyone to enjoy.
Caring for the Environment
Middlebury is a leader in sustainability, which means protecting the environment. The college has promised to be "carbon neutral," meaning it won't add any extra carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In 2009, it opened a special power plant that burns biomass (like wood chips) instead of oil. This greatly reduced the college's impact on the environment.
Student Fun and Traditions
Middlebury has many fun traditions for students.
- Winter Carnival: Started in 1923, this is the oldest student-run winter carnival in the U.S. It includes ski races, a bonfire, and a formal dance.
- Feb Graduation: Some students start college in February instead of September. They are called "Febs." When they graduate, they have a special ceremony where they ski down the Middlebury College Snow Bowl in their caps and gowns.
- Quidditch: The real-life version of the sport from the Harry Potter books was started at Middlebury in 2005. It has since grown into a popular sport played around the world.
Notable People
Many successful people have graduated from Middlebury College. They have become leaders in writing, business, government, and the arts.
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Eve Ensler
Award-winning playwright and performer
AB 1975 -
Ari Fleischer
White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush
AB 1982 -
Julia Alvarez
Poet and novelist who won the National Medal of Arts
AB 1971 -
Ron Brown
Secretary of Commerce for President Bill Clinton
AB 1962 -
Jeff Lindsay
Creator of the Dexter book series
AB 1975 -
Roger Easton
Main inventor of the GPS
AB 1943 -
Shawn Ryan
Creator of the TV show The Shield
AB 1988 -
Jim Douglas
80th Governor of Vermont
AB 1972 -
Dan Schulman
CEO of PayPal
AB 1980 -
Jason Mantzoukas
Comedian, writer, and actor
AB 1995 -
Bill Maris
Founder and CEO of Google Ventures
AB 1997
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Images for kids
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The Bread Loaf School of English in Ripton
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The Emma Willard House, a National Historic Landmark, is Middlebury's Admission Office
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The spire of Mead Chapel, completed in 1916, rises on the highest elevation of the campus
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Youngman Field at Alumni Stadium, with the college's 18-hole golf course in the background
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Hillcrest Environmental Center, a building certified for its energy-saving design
See also
In Spanish: Middlebury College para niños
