Arthur Westing, Vermont Academy of Arts & Sciences Fellow, and Beloved Environmental Activist and Vermonter Passes Away at the Age of 92

Arthur Westing

The Vermont Academy of Arts & Sciences was saddened to learn of the passing of Arthur Westing, an important environmentalist and Fellow of VAAS. His legacy will continue on in our state and country and he will be greatly missed.

A full obituary can be found here.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Windham Hill  Pinnacle Association, https://www.windmillhillpinnacle.org/, or to an organization working for peace or the environment of one’s choosing.  Alternatively, Appalachian Mountain Club (https://www.outdoors.org/get-involved/donate); Friends of Acadia (https://friendsofacadia.org/).

VAAS 2020 Intercollegiate Student Symposium Cancelled

Due to the increasing threat of COVID-19, many Vermont colleges and universities have extended their Spring Breaks and are migrating all remaining instruction to online learning platforms. Many schools are also cancelling larger gatherings or events in order to try and mitigate the spread of the virus in our communities. Unfortunately, the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences has also elected to take this precaution, and for this reason we are cancelling the 2020 VAAS Intercollegiate Student Symposium that was scheduled for April 4th at Saint Michael’s College.

VAAS Hosts Special Lecture at Norwich University - November 19th, 2019

On November 19th, 2019, the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences hosted a special lecture at Norwich University entitled “Reframing Early History: King Philip’s War and the Abenaki Nation.” Lisa Brooks, a Professor of English and American Studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts delivered the lecture.

Before the lecture, VAAS board members and guests were invited to gather with Sullivan Museum staff and Lisa Brooks to enjoy a dinner of venison, trout, succotash, and other seasonal and First Peoples-inspired dishes to celebrate the event.

2018 VAAS Fellows Luncheon Hosted

The Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences held a luncheon on Saturday, September 22, at the Windjammer Restaurant in South Burlington to honor four newly elected Fellows:

• Barre sculptor, Giuliano Cecchinelli

• Former Executive Director of the Vermont Humanities Council, Peter A. Gilbert

• UVM professor emerita of Nutrition and Food Science, Rachel K. Johnson

• Former librarian of the Vermont Historical Society, Reidun Nuquist.

The VAAS annually recognizes a selection of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, humanities, sciences, or education in Vermont, or whose work in these fields has made a significant impact in Vermont.  VAAS Fellows have accrued significant and longstanding accomplishments and are considered to be exemplary within their professions. Please join us in congratulating our new Fellows!

2016 Fellows Luncheon

53rd Annual VAAS Intercollegiate Student Symposium Hosted at Castleton University

[Student participants from the 2019 VAAS Intercollegiate Student Symposium at Castleton University]

The Vermont Academy of Arts & Sciences hosted the 53rd Annual Intercollegiate Student Symposium at Castleton University on April 27th, 2019.

Student work could include art, music, writing, and research, and all students enrolled in Vermont colleges and universities were eligible and encouraged to attend and present their work.

Flo Keyes [flo.keyes@castleton.edu] organized and hosted the event. The call for papers and guidelines can be viewed here.

The Vermont Academy of Arts & Sciences has supported exceptional undergraduate work since 1965, and the Intercollegiate Student Symposium provides a wonderful collegiate outlet for showcasing the variety of talents possessed by undergraduate students in Vermont.