UVM Alumni Association

06/18/2026

When Hunter Holoubek ’26 arrived at UVM from Rhode Island, he was drawn by strong psychology and neuroscience programs, a welcoming campus community, and Vermont’s outdoor lifestyle.

Over four years, he immersed himself in research, served as a teaching assistant, helped revive the Psychology Club, and discovered a passion for human connection and scientific discovery.

“I'm now not only doing work for an assignment, but my own work that I'm proud of,” Hunter says. “I feel like I’m contributing to a field greater than myself.”

After graduation, Hunter plans to continue research before pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology with a focus on neuropsychology.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the scholarship I was given,” he says.

“The scholarships that I’ve received have gone straight towards my experience here at UVM, allowing me to take on more things, become involved in a million different organizations, and do all the things that I’ve been able to do.”

💚 To learn more, visit the link in our comments.

06/18/2026

The University of Vermont Foundation & Alumni Association is delighted to announce that Christopher Jacobsen, Ph.D. has been appointed as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 3.

A nationally recognized advancement leader, Jacobsen brings a proven record of transformational fundraising, strategic leadership, and alumni engagement. He will lead the Foundation’s efforts to advance the University of Vermont’s land-grant mission through philanthropy and alumni engagement, and in support of its students, faculty, research, and exceptional programs across the state and beyond.

Jacobsen joins UVM from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, where he served as Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs and Development. There, he helped complete the college’s historic $500 million campaign ahead of schedule as part of Cornell’s $6 billion comprehensive campaign. His career also includes leadership roles at Dartmouth and Hamilton College, where he built strong partnerships and secured significant philanthropic investments.

“I am honored to join the UVM Foundation at such an important moment for the university and for Vermont,” said Jacobsen. “I look forward to working with alumni, donors, and university leaders to advance UVM’s Green, Gold, and Bold vision and support the university’s next chapter.”

Following a highly competitive national search, Jacobsen was selected for his exceptional leadership, fundraising success, and deep commitment to higher education.

We look forward to welcoming him to the UVM community.

Read more here: https://www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news/uvm-foundation-names-chris-jacobsen-president-and-ceo

06/10/2026

Three generations. One dream. 💚

When Shannon Randall ’26 arrived at UVM, she wasn't just starting college—she was continuing a family legacy. Inspired by her father and sister, she chose UVM for its animal science program, its sense of community, and the feeling she got the moment she saw the mountains and knew she was home.

But getting here wasn't guaranteed.

Scholarship support helped make Shannon's dream possible, allowing her to focus on learning, leadership, and building lifelong connections instead of financial stress. From bringing her horse to campus and finding family at the Horse Barn Cooperative, to leading the Dairy Club and pursuing her passion for agriculture, Shannon embraced every opportunity UVM had to offer.

When an injury threatened to derail her first weeks on campus, her community stepped in. When she needed guidance, mentors showed her the way. And when she reflects on her journey today, one thing is clear: she never walked it alone.

As Shannon prepares to graduate and begin her next adventure, she carries with her more than a degree—she carries a community that changed her life.

"The first thing I would say is just a very big thank you. I know personally, I wouldn’t have been able to come to UVM without all of the support I’ve received."

Because of scholarship support, students like Shannon can turn dreams into futures. ✨

Scholarships change lives. You can too.

Visit the link in comments to donate today.

06/05/2026

For Haley Moriarty ’29, what started as hands-on experience as a clinical assistant quickly became a calling.

“I just loved the patients I was working with [at Dana Farber]. That’s when I thought, ‘Okay, this is for me.’”

When Haley began searching for a medical school, she wasn’t only looking for academic excellence. She wanted a community where she could build meaningful relationships, serve others, and feel at home. She found all of that at the The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont.

But like so many aspiring physicians, Haley faced a difficult reality: the cost of medical education.

Scholarship support helped turn possibility into reality.

“It made it a lot more affordable,” Haley says. “Knowing that someone saw something in me, I am really, really thankful for that.”

Today, Haley is pursuing her dream of becoming a physician—one who hopes to offer not only medical expertise, but comfort, hope, and compassion during life’s hardest moments.

“I want to be the provider who can give hope to someone. At the very least, a shoulder to cry on.”

Because of scholarship donors, students like Haley can focus less on financial barriers and more on what matters most: caring for patients and preparing to serve future generations.

Your support doesn’t just fund an education. It helps shape the physicians our communities will depend on tomorrow. 💚

06/04/2026

A warm welcome home to our Class of '75 and Class of '76 alumni!

💚💛

We're so excited to celebrate your Golden Reunion all weekend long!

Keep up with all the fun here: https://www.uvmfoundation.org/alumni/events/reunion

06/04/2026

Don't miss this heartwarming story in the Spring 2026 issue of Vermont Medicine from The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont (and linked below). 💚

"The whispers of me returning home had been happening for months while I was still finishing up my residency at UVM. Word gets around fast in this small town."

At age three, Megan Prue, M.D.'22, told her parents she wanted to be a doctor. Now, after completing medical school at Larner and her pediatric residency at Golisano Children's Hospital at UVM Health, she has returned to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom to the pediatric clinic where she once was a patient.

This story originally appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Vermont Medicine. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4o6Hs0x or stop by the Office of Medical Communications for a hard copy if you are local!

UVM Alumni Association

06/03/2026

A scholarship letter opened in a high school biology class changed Padma Mendelsund '26's life.

At her desk, Padma learned she had been accepted into UVM’s Honors College—and awarded scholarships that would make her future possible.

"With the money I would save by going to UVM, I could buy a house someday. I could go to med school. I could go to law school. I could get an MBA. I realized that the scholarships UVM offered me would give me a lot of freedom."

That freedom allowed Padma to engage deeply with her community and discover where she could make the greatest impact. Today, she's studying Health and Society and Political Science, connecting her interests in healthcare, public policy, and social change.

But what stays with her most is the generosity behind her opportunity.

"Being a donor is special because it means you're recognizing the potential and humanity of people you don't even know, and that gives me hope. It’s similar to the kindness I’ve felt at UVM — it makes you feel seen."

Every scholarship is more than financial support. It's a message to a student: *We see you. We believe in you. Your future matters.*

Because sometimes, a single act of generosity doesn't just change a student's college decision—it expands what's possible over an entire lifetime.

Your gift matters. 🌻 See the link in our comments for more.

06/01/2026

📚✨ June is here, and so is our Summer of Scholarships campaign!

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing stories that highlight the life-changing impact of scholarship support on UVM students—and the donors who help make those opportunities possible.

Scholarships are more important than ever. This month, your gift can go even further through two special matching opportunities:

💚 Gifts to the UVM Fund, which supports scholarships for students across the university, will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.

🩺 Gifts to the Medical Alumni Association Scholarship will be matched 2-to-1 up to $20,000—meaning every $1 donated provides $3 in scholarship support for Larner College of Medicine students.

When you give, you’re doing more than funding a scholarship. You’re investing in students, expanding access to education, and helping open doors to brighter futures.

Give today through the link in our comments or visit go.uvm.edu/summerofscholarships

05/27/2026

Lydia Kern '15 has always been a gatherer. As a child, she collected objects and found materials, not to house but to transform.

When she arrived at UVM, she was intent on social work. The joy of gathering resources and relationships into strong community felt natural.

The semester before graduation, she experienced a profound loss. It redirected her path and reoriented her life towards art, a passion she had by then developed for years.

Kern felt so held by her Burlington community as she navigated grief and artmaking that she stayed for a decade after graduation.

Now she is a career artist with a freshly unfurling life in NYC and a studio in Queens.

Read more of her story here, and the full profile via our link in comments.

05/21/2026

UVM alumnus Andrew Lieberman ’13 — now a leader at German tech firm Celonis — is helping UVM students bridge the gap between classroom learning and the rapidly changing workforce.

A lifelong Catamount, Lieberman believes the true value of a liberal arts education lies in critical thinking, ethical leadership, and problem-solving skills that outlast any single technology.

That philosophy came to life through the 2026 Celonis x UVM “Decoding the Carbon Challenge,” where students from across disciplines analyzed real company travel data to uncover ways to reduce both carbon emissions and business costs. Using process-mining software employed by major organizations worldwide, teams explored how data can reveal what’s actually happening inside systems — not just what people assume is happening.

For many students, it was their first experience working with sophisticated analytics tools and live business data. Environmental studies, psychology, economics, engineering, and social science majors collaborated to turn information into actionable sustainability strategies. Their findings? Small operational changes — like reducing first-class travel — could dramatically lower emissions while maintaining productivity.

But the challenge became about more than sustainability. Students discovered how data-driven thinking can reshape systems, improve decision-making, and create measurable change.

Lieberman emphasized that experiences like this are essential for today’s students. Specific software may evolve quickly, but the ability to analyze information, adapt, communicate ideas, and solve complex problems will always matter.

Faculty and advisors agreed: this kind of collaboration represents the future of liberal arts education — where broad-based thinking meets practical application in ways that prepare students for countless career paths.

Read the full story to see how UVM students are combining technology, sustainability, and liberal arts thinking to shape the future — and why partnerships like this may redefine career readiness for the next generation.