Middlebury University Case Study

Middlebury University is a highly esteemed institution with a rich history spanning over 200 years. In that time, it has developed into the 4th best liberal art college in the nation. Their approach to education is unique, the student body is diverse, and the institution is dedicated to providing an “Inspirational setting for learning and reflection, reinforcing our commitment to integrating environmental stewardship into both our curriculum and our practices on campus... We strive to engage students ' capacity for rigorous analysis and independent thought within a wide range of disciplines and endeavors, and to cultivate the intellectual, creative, physical, ethical, and social qualities essential for leadership in a rapidly changing global community.” (Middlebury’s Mission)

In 1883, it became co-ed. In 1926, under the school’s 9th president John Martin Thomas, the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference and the School of Languages were established. The Bread Loaf Writer 's Conference went on to become one of the most reputable writers conferences in the United States. Under his leadership, the size of the university grew, as did the number of students. In the years after John Thomas’ presidency, the school continued to flourish. It grew and size and influence, becoming on of the top liberal arts colleges in the country, and began to focus on “developing curricular and co-curricular programs in the areas of international affairs, environmental affairs, literature, language study, and real-world experience beyond the classroom, all resting on a strong base of general excellence in the liberal arts.” (History and Traditions |