The interesting tale of how Max the beloved Castleton cat went viral

If your answer is always no to the question: Have you ever met someone famous? Quickly change that answer to a yes if you’ve ever stepped foot on Castleton’s campus at Vermont State University.

Max, our beloved campus cat of Vermont State University Castleton, has become a worldwide sensation after being awarded an honorary doctorate in “Litter-ature” last spring. When the class of 2024 graduated, Max received the prestigious title, solidifying his place as not just a campus legend – but a global one.

News outlets worldwide wanted a piece of Max’s story, including USA Today, CNN, Vermont Public, The Washington Post and even the Hindustan Times in India.

For years, Max has been a fixture at Castleton, especially near Leavenworth Hall, where students often find him lounging or strolling the grounds as if he’s the true head of the campus. His cool, unbothered demeanor and welcoming presence have made him a cherished companion for students and faculty for years.

Jess Duncan, the director of Career Development and Innovation across all Vermont State University campuses, was one of the creative directors behind this brilliant idea. 

“It’s a cool career development story. Julie Lepo was our career development Title Three intern, and she hosted an event for LinkedIn photo headshots, so students could come and get their professional photo from LinkedIn, or wear their cap and gown on the steps of Woodruff,” Duncan said.

“While they were taking photos, we had a few props. One of them was like a Spartan bear with a cap and gown and this cute, little graduation cap. Then Julie and I happened to see Max on the Leavenworth steps,” Duncan said. “So, we went down, we were petting Max, and we had the graduation cap. I was like, oh my gosh, we have to do this. So, we held the cap on him and took a bunch of pictures. We had a bunch of fun taking pictures of him. He is a piece of Castleton and everyone loves him.”

Robert Franklin is the second creative mind behind this viral post. Duncan sent the photo of Max with his cap on into their team chat with the caption, “Did Max fill out his cat application for his degree?” Franklin saw the photo and realized there was truly something there 

Franklin is the Social Media Manager for Vermont State University and used that to his advantage by posting the photo to the Vermont State University Instagram and Facebook page. 

“I was shocked. I didn’t think it would go that big. I thought maybe media around Vermont would pick it up and they’d think it was cute, but I never thought it would go that big,” he said. 

Little did VTSU know, that one photo would be the start of something worldwide. 

Max’s journey to stardom has captivated audiences beyond our small Vermont campus, sparking widespread media coverage and making him an international feline sensation. CNN even picked up the story and commented on how famous Max is getting across the globe. 

“The furry graduate even has his own school email and directory page. Ashley Dow and her daughter, Kaitlyn Tanner, a student at Vermont State, monitor Max’s email and have responded to messages from as far as Germany and England,” he said.

Ashley Dow is Max’s mother/manager and has been star-struck during this whole adventure. 

“This is all crazy. I did an interview on TV in Sydney, Australia, Today Show, oh my goodness, that was the most interesting one,” Dow said.

Dow has been contacted by the biggest names in the media. Their story has even been used to fight Emotional Support Animal laws on a campus.

“There was a group that contacted us from Ohio. She was trying to get emotional support animals approved on campus out there. She wanted to have information about what the college did and how Max has helped the students so that she could try to lobby for that out there,” Dow said. 

ole in Max’s rise to global fame. Photos of Max, often reclining by Leavenworth Hall or following a tour with incoming freshmen, were everywhere. Fans from all over the world have been commenting on Max’s story.

“As a human who has earned a doctorate, I approve of Dr. Max!” one comment read under the Washington Post Facebook post on Max.

“Great. Now my accomplishments as a senior computer specialist are being outstripped by a cat who graduated college. Great,” another commenter joked.

With all the fame and celebrity treatment Max is getting, Dow said he is still the normal cat who just likes to be involved.  

“Max has no idea the fame he’s getting. He’s just like whatever. He doesn’t care, he’s doing his thing, students are back on campus, and he’s able to spend the day with you,” she said.

And in that role, Max continues to inspire, calm nerves, and remind everyone of the simple pleasures of life – like a good nap in the sun.

“I was very proud. It’s a secret hidden gem that Max does so much for our students that people can’t even articulate what he does. I can walk by in that student pathway and I can smile at 10 students, maybe two will look up, but when Max walks down that path, every single student stops, takes a moment, and interacts with him, and every student leaves with a smile. That is magical,” Duncan said.

As the fall semester begins, students are once again greeted by our favorite tabby cat, but this time it’s Dr. Max. His global following continues to grow, but to the students of Castleton, he’ll always just be Max, the favorite campus cat with a Ph.D. in purr-fection.

Max is not homeless or a stray, he’s just always out and about. If you see Max roaming around after 5 P.M. give his mother Ashely Dow a call! Her number is (802)-369-9375.