1761
Town of Castleton Chartered
New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth chartered the town of Castleton.
Campus Life
Whether you live on campus or commute from home, being at Castleton is like finding a home away from home. Comfortable residence halls, an active campus, good food and a welcoming culture encourage incoming students to quickly embrace our close-knit community and make a successful transition to college life.
Castleton’s vibrant campus is a host of opportunities for students to get involved. With 28 varsity sports, intramural teams, a Student Government Association, a wide variety of campus clubs, Residence Life sponsored programming and much more students will never be lacking ways to be a part of Castleton.
Additionally, through civic engagement and other service projects, Castleton offers many ways for students to be involved beyond the campus and make an impact in the surrounding community.
Castleton strives to engage students in holistic learning by providing diverse programs and services that promote leadership and personal development. These opportunities are designed to help students make meaningful connections as they prepare for their successful futures.
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History of Castleton
Interactive Timeline
1770
First families of settlers moved into Castleton.
Noah Lee and Amos Bird are usually given credit as the town's founders.
1777
The Revolutionary War Battle of Hubbardton was fought seven miles north of Castleton.
1787
Castleton traces its history to the Rutland County Grammar School, chartered by the General Assembly in 1787.
1791
Vermont joins the Union as the 14th state.
1818
Castleton Medical College founded
The school conferred some 1400 medical degrees until it closed in 1862.
1823
In 1823 instruction in “the solid branches of female education” began
By the Civil War, the majority of the students attending Castleton were young women.
1861
Professor and artist James Hope was the first man in Castleton to volunteer for Civil War duty.
When asked to make a speech, Captain Hope replied, "I cannot speak, but I can fight!"
1862
Harriet Haskell became Castleton's first woman principal.
She was 27 years old at the time.
1867
Castleton Normal School was founded
A "Normal School" is a teacher training school.
1881
Captain Abel E. Leavenworth purchased Castleton Normal School.
He and son Philip Leavenworth guided Castleton until 1911.
1924
The Old School was destroyed by fire.
Principal Caroline Woodruff battled to save the institution. Quoting the Bible, she promised, "And the glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former."
1948
Men's basketball began
1951
The student newspaper, The Spartan, published its first issue.
1962
Castleton Teachers College became Castleton State College.
Richard Dundas was president.
1963
The men's soccer team, coached by Dick Terry, won nine straight games
and they became NAIA national co-champions.
1965
Huden Dining Hall, Haskell Hall, and Adams Hall opened.
1971
On December 15 the original Leavenworth Hall was destroyed by fire.
Today's Leavenworth was built on the site.
1981
The Student Orientation Staff was founded.
Since then, more than 800 SOS members have welcomed new students to campus, helped them to succeed, and served as a bridge from one class to the next.
1985
Soundings, a course that exposes freshmen to the liberal arts, was founded.
2002
President Dave Wolk was formally inaugurated as Castleton's 20th President.
He said, "First and foremost, and very simply, we must remain a small college with a big heart."
2005
The Green Campus Initiative began in the fall of 2005.
The effort has since grown into a focus on sustainability.
2008
Castleton's football team takes the field for the first time.
2009
Castleton purchases the ice hockey rink in Rutland and renames it Spartan Arena.
2012
The 162-bed Hoff Hall, a new facilities barn, and the Castleton Pavilion are completed.
The Pavilion is the largest venue of its kind in the state.
2013
New tennis courts and the renovation and expansion of Huden Dining Hall are completed.
2014
Castleton unveils their new website.
The new website design offers easier navigation of the site, a more efficient way to stay on top of Castleton news, and showcases our small college with a big heart.
2015
It is time for Castleton University
On July 23, 2015, Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees unanimously approved modernizing our name to Castleton University.
2017
Dr. Scolforo begins her tenure as 21st Castleton President.
She is the fourth woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.