1791 – The University of Vermont, the oldest university in Vermont, and fifth-oldest in New England, is chartered.

The Chartering of the University of Vermont in 1791: History of New England's Fifth-Oldest University

The University of Vermont (UVM), founded in 1791, stands as a monumental institution in American higher education. It is not only the oldest university in Vermont but also the fifth-oldest in New England, a distinction that places it among a small group of universities whose origins predate the formation of the United States as we know it today. Its establishment, remarkably, occurred in the same year that Vermont was admitted to the Union as the fourteenth state, intertwining the university's history with the very birth of the state itself . The story of UVM is one of pioneering vision, architectural ingenuity, and a progressive spirit that often challenged the conventions of its time, from its non-sectarian founding principles to its early inclusion of women and African Americans in academic honors. This essay will explore the complete details of UVM's chartering in 1791, the key figures behind its creation, its early academic and physical development, its significant "firsts," and the evolution of its institutional identity through mergers and a commitment to public service, right up to its modern-day status.

The genesis of the University of Vermont can be traced directly to the ambition and resources of one man: Ira Allen. A key figure in Vermont's early history, Allen is honored as the university's founder . His contributions were not merely conceptual; he provided the essential land and a significant portion of the initial funding that made the institution possible. He donated a 50-acre parcel of land in Burlington for the establishment of the university, the core of which has been maintained to this day as the university's main green, where a statue of Allen now stands in tribute. The citizens of Burlington also played a crucial role in the university's early survival, funding the construction of its first building and then, when that building was destroyed by fire in 1824, funding its replacement. This community support was vital for the fledgling institution. The university's architectural history is also marked by a notable moment of national significance. The cornerstone of the replacement building, which came to be known as "Old Mill" for its resemblance to New England mills of the time, was laid by the Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who became a commander in the American Revolution . Old Mill still stands on University Row, a testament to UVM's long and storied past.

A remarkable and progressive aspect of UVM's 1791 charter was its stance on religion. The charter explicitly declared that the "rules, regulations, and by-laws shall not tend to give preference to any religious sect or denomination whatsoever" . This made UVM one of the first American institutions of higher education to explicitly separate itself from sectarian control in its founding documents, establishing a principle of religious neutrality that was ahead of its time. This forward-thinking ethos would continue to define the university in the centuries to come. For instance, UVM admitted its first two female students in 1871, defying the customs of the era. Furthermore, it became the first American university to admit women to Phi Beta Kappa, the country's oldest collegiate academic honor society, in 1875, and just two years later, it became the first to admit African Americans into the same society . These actions cemented UVM's reputation as an institution committed to inclusivity and intellectual merit above exclusionary traditions.

The university's official seal, adopted in 1807, offers a rich visual representation of its original mission and identity . The seal depicts the sun rising over the Green Mountains with the original college edifice, the Old Mill. It also includes scholarly and scientific symbols: a diagram of Euclid's "windmill proof" of the Pythagorean theorem, a globe, and a sextant. The Latin motto "Studiis et Rebus Honestis," which translates to "Integrity in Theoretical and Practical Pursuits," encircles the imagery, encapsulating the university's commitment to both intellectual and virtuous endeavors. The seal also reflects a key moment of institutional evolution. The inner ring includes the phrase "Collegiumque Agriculturae," noting the establishment of the College of Agriculture in 1865, which marked UVM's transformation into a land-grant institution .

This transformation was a pivotal event in UVM's history. In 1865, the university merged with the newly chartered Vermont Agricultural College . This merger was a direct result of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act of 1862, championed by Vermont's own Justin Smith Morrill, who served as a UVM trustee from 1865 to 1898. As a land-grant college, the university was granted 150,000 acres of federal land, which it sold for $122,626 to fund its new mission. From this point forward, the institution was officially known as the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, cementing its dual role as a private university and a public-serving land-grant institution . This established its obligation to provide education in agriculture, the mechanical arts, and military science, alongside its traditional liberal arts curriculum, making higher education more accessible to the people of Vermont.

The university's history in the 20th and 21st centuries reflects a continuation of its tradition of activism and social engagement. In the 1950s, the university was the site of student protests that contributed to the Vermont General Assembly outlawing discrimination in public accommodations . For decades, UVM held an annual "Kake Walk" where students wore blackface, a practice that was finally abolished in 1969 under pressure from the student body and community. In the 1980s, student activism reached a peak with calls for the university to divest from companies doing business in apartheid South Africa, culminating in the construction of a "shantytown" on the main green and a subsequent vote by the board of trustees to divest. More recently, after years of campaigning by student groups, the university's trustees voted unanimously in 2020 to divest from fossil fuels by July 2023. This history demonstrates a campus culture where students have consistently pushed the institution to align its investments with its ethical principles.

Today, the University of Vermont is a thriving public land-grant research university classified as an "R1: Doctoral University—Very high research activity," indicating the highest level of research activity for an American university . It comprises ten colleges and schools, including the Robert Larner College of Medicine, and offers more than 100 undergraduate majors along with various graduate and professional programs. The university's medical center, The University of Vermont Medical Center, has its primary facility on the UVM campus, further enhancing its research and teaching capabilities. With a total enrollment of over 14,000 students and a faculty of more than 2,000, UVM is a central pillar of Vermont's educational and economic landscape. Its athletic teams, the Catamounts, compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the America East Conference and Hockey East Association.

The chartering of the University of Vermont in 1791 was an act of profound vision that laid the groundwork for an institution of enduring significance. From its founding by Ira Allen and its non-sectarian charter to its pivotal merger that created the modern land-grant university, UVM's history is a narrative of progressive thought and adaptation. Its early adoption of inclusive policies, its consistent pattern of student-led social advocacy, and its growth into a top-tier research university all stem from the principles embedded at its inception. The University of Vermont is far more than just the oldest university in the state; it is a living chronicle of Vermont's history and a continuously evolving community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, integrity in all its endeavors, and service to the public good.

Photo from: iStock

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