Before I came here I didnât really do much other than sleep and do schoolwork. I was almost never thinking about the roles I played in my ecosystem and community. I feel that this course has at least prepared me a little for my life ahead of me as I get closer and closer to adulthood and independence.
Last month was a special time on campus, as we welcomed our first cohort of high schoolâage students, ages 16-19, to Sterling for the launch of our Environmental Field Studies Pre-College Program. From July 7th to 25th, these students brought curiosity, creativity, and joy to our communityâmaking this summer one to remember. We are grateful to have shared these special weeks together.
The programâs dynamic, hands-on approach kept every participant actively engagedâfrom daily 7am farm chores, overnights in the woods, to workshops on local farms, and paddling the Green River Reservoir. Highlights included a natural dyes workshop, wood carving, forest exploration, rock climbing, mountain biking, nature writing, kayaking, ice cream making, trail navigation, and a sound and landscape workshop with traveling composer-performer, Ben Cosgroveâjust to name a few.
On the last day of the program, students wrapped up their three weeks at Sterling with heartfelt presentations highlighting their final projects. Family, peers, faculty, and staff gathered to enjoy a delicious family-style lunch in Dunbar Dining Hall before filling the room to cheer on the students and celebrate their achievements.
For their final projects, students focused on the aspect of the program that was most impactful to them. The themes included invasive plant removal, daily farm chores, food preparation, bike riding, macro-invertebrate collection, trail building, creative writing, and birding. The notable throughline for each student was that the program had a profound impact on personal understanding of their individual learning style and what it means to engage in community.
If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about our Pre-College Program, please get in touch! Weâre already looking ahead to next year and are accepting applications for Summer 2026 on a rolling basis. Space is limited to 8-12 students, so donât wait!
Remembering Dave Linck: A Legacy of Service and Dedication at Sterling College
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Linck, former Sterling instructor of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Techniques, and many other courses. Dave is fondly remembered as a true woodsmanâsomeone who could take care of himself in the woods with skill and ease. His fieldwork in the Adirondacks, at what is now the Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb, NY, focused on the behavior of eastern chipmunks and reflected his deep connection to the natural world.
In the words of his friend and colleague, Ross Morgan, "Dave was not just a teacher, he was a contagious person, always excited about doing something, whether making something to give a kid, or doing something to create an experience."
Dave's contributions to our community were immense, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Daveâs family and are tremendously grateful for his contributions to Sterling and the larger Vermont community. Thank you for everything, Dave. You will be missed.
Daveâs family has shared the obituary linked below for those who would like to learn more about his life. A memorial gathering will be held this fall, and we will share additional details as they become available.
Just like that, the Fall 2025 semester is upon us! Please join us in welcoming both new and returning students to campus this week. Arrival Day was Sunday, August 24th, and the days ahead will be full of activities for students and employees alike.
New Book on Historic Craftsbury to Benefit The Public Library
Craftsbury Celebration: Old Homes, Barns, and Their Stories brings to life the rich history of Craftsburyâs enduring architecture and the peopleâpast and presentâwho have called these buildings home.
Craftsbury residents, Tom Twetten and Harry H. Miller teamed up to publish the limited-edition, 194-page book to benefit the Craftsbury Public Library. The book features 74 Craftsbury homes built in or before 1860 that remain in use, along with several other landmarks central to the townâs identity, including historic barns, Craftsbury Academy, the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, and the public library itself.
Twetten wrote the book's 90 essays, and Miller photographed each building. Five hundred signed and numbered copies are available for $49 each. There won't be a second printing, making this a true collectorâs item for anyone who loves Craftsbury and its history.
Sterling College graduate, Jordan Charbonneau recently published a compelling article reflecting on their time as a student at Sterling. The piece recounts Jordanâs unique experience of earning college credit while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trailâa journey made possible through Sterlingâs focus on outdoor, experiential education.
In the article, Jordan shares how Sterlingâs hands-on approach allowed them to develop skills in backcountry photography, natural history, logistics planning, and thru-hiker psychology. These experiences not only helped them complete their degree but also set them on a path to pursue their passions. One moment from the piece captures the personal transformation Jordan experienced:
âA great friend from my freshman class sat next to me about a month after we got back to Sterling. He said, âIâm glad you went, and that you came back.â He told me that though I had never mentioned leaving, I looked âflightyâ during my first semester, and that leaving for the Appalachian Trail seemed to help me find my place at Sterling. I think he was right.â
Weâre excited to spotlight Jax Hughes â18, a Sterling alum in Agroecology and founder of Happy Bear Landscapes, an ecological design company in New Yorkâs Hudson Valley. His work blends creative landscaping with ecological restoration, crafting gardens that nurture both ecosystems and imagination.
Beyond design, Jax is also a musician, performing as Brother Jax. His eclectic folk rock sound draws from psych rock and tropicalia. He recently released two singlesââLean Backâ and âVengo Solitoââfrom his upcoming album.
Jax credits Sterling with shaping his passions for both plants and music. Experiences like the Integrated Farming Practicum gave him hands-on skills and a holistic outlook that have supported diverse rolesâfrom leading permaculture education in Nicaragua to managing eco-landscaping projects across the U.S.
Reflecting on his path, Jax says, âIâm a happy generalist, and Iâm grateful to Sterling for encouraging me on that path.â He now hopes to focus on designing public gardens that inspire and uplift communities.
Reviving Vermont's Ecosystems: Tree and Shrub Seed Collection for Biodiversity Restoration
This summer, two Sterling College students partnered with the NorthWoods Stewardship Center (NWSC) as part of their Ecology and Land Management Internship. Under the guidance of a team of riparian restoration professionals, they spent several weeks learning how to collect and sort seeds from mature trees and shrubs that play a key role in Vermontâs ecological restoration efforts.
Throughout this multi-step process, they developed skills in plant species identification, seed collection techniques, and methods for processing and organizing seeds for future use.
Internships like these are a vital part of Sterlingâs academic program, giving students practical experience, deepening their understanding of local conservation efforts, and equipping them with skills essential to ecological restoration. Congratulations to our students on a meaningful and impactful summer. We canât wait to see where their paths lead next!
As part of her independent study this summer, Sterling student Josie Kahn explored the global impact of environmental justice issues through in-depth research. A key element of her study involved identifying and analyzing visually compelling documentary films that focus on critical concerns such as air pollution, textile waste, deforestation, and more.
In a culminating blog post reflecting on her research, Josie examines five documentaries to explore the wide-ranging scope of environmental justice issues around the world. Through each film review, she thoughtfully connects environmental degradation with our collective responsibility to make more informed and responsible personal choices that support a more just and sustainable future.
The use of film as a medium for communicating complex environmental challenges was a deliberate and meaningful part of Josieâs research approach. She reflects on this choice in her post, writing, âThere are plenty of statistics outlining the depth and breadth of environmental justice issues, but visuals allow for a more memorable and impactful experience.â
Josieâs study highlights how Sterling internships allow students to blend personal passions with academics, work, and community life. Weâre proud to share her thoughtful work. Well done, Josie!
Sterling alum appointed Colonel of Environmental Police of MA
Weâre proud to share that Sterling Alum, John Monaghan '92, has been appointed Colonel of the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP). This is an incredible milestone in John's career and a moment of pride for the entire Sterling community.Please join us in congratulating John and his family on this well-deserved honor!
Explore Sterling Courses Through Continuing Education!
Each semester, Sterling College invites lifelong learners to join select undergraduate courses through our Continuing Education Program. Whether you're exploring new interests or pursuing professional development, these courses offer hands-on, place-based learning in a supportive academic environment.
Study alongside degree-seeking students and experience the rigor, creativity, and community that define a Sterling educationâno matter where you are in your journey.
Sterling acknowledges that the land on which we gather, also known as Vermont, is the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki people. We also learn in and from a range of landscapes that belong to other indigenous peoples.
As we seek deep and reciprocal relationships with nature, we respect and honor the place-based and cultural wisdom of indigenous ancestors and contemporaries. These words are offered as a reminder that must be matched with acts of respect and repair.
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