Sterling College

09/22/2026

"Measured in pure statistics, Sterling might look exactly like the kind of college fated to close in the demographic cliff era. It’s a small — very small — liberal arts college tucked away in the wilds of northern New England. But at the same time, the college is distinct in an era when institutions are keen to differentiate. And it prided itself on creating deep, memorable experiences for students long before the term “experiential education” came into wide use."

The environmentally focused Vermont college closed after enrollment declines took their toll, but some are moving to create an institute to house its legacy.

09/15/2026

The Sterling College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce a purchase and sale agreement for the Sterling College Craftsbury Common campus has been signed with Headwaters Community Trust.

Read the full release here:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/627d42fada29335c5fbb58df/t/6aa932cf54dfd85acee964a1/1789473487528/9.15.26+Sterling_HCT+Joint+Press+Release+Final.pdf

09/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday evening for what may have been the final Sterling College event, Sterling’s Legacy in Vermont: Voices of Alums.

We are deeply grateful to Enoch Bernfield ’26 and Carol Dickson, Faculty in Environmental Humanities, for designing, carrying out, and sharing this wonderful project with our community. Their work captured the voices, experiences, and enduring impact of Sterling alumni in Vermont.

Thank you as well to the Craftsbury Public Library for welcoming us and hosting our community.

And one final, heartfelt thank you to Vermont Humanities for making this project possible through a Rapid Response Grant. We are grateful for your support in helping preserve and celebrate Sterling’s legacy.

Working hands, working minds — and a legacy that continues.

09/02/2026

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

-Wendell Berry

08/29/2026

Hey, Sterling alumni (and former employees)! 👋

What are you doing this weekend? How about cleaning out the ol’ college Google Drive and email account?

Access to all .edu email accounts and Google Drives ends after Monday, August 31. You’ll have access through midnight on August 31, so now’s the time to download anything you want to keep.

📧 Check your email.
📁 Download any Google Drive files that you may want to access in the future.
📍If you need help accessing your account, please email us prior to Monday at [email protected].

08/28/2026

“Legacies of Sterling: Stories of Alums in Vermont” Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please join us for this special event hosted by the Craftsbury Public Library.

The Craftsbury Public Library will host “Legacies of Sterling: Stories of Alums in Vermont” Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

08/17/2026

As part of winding down our operations, access to Sterling College email accounts and Google Drive accounts will end on August 31, 2026. After that date, you will no longer be able to access messages, files, or other materials stored in your Sterling Google account.

If you have anything in your Sterling email or Google Drive that you would like to retain, please take the time to download or transfer it to a personal account before August 31.

For assistance logging into your account, please email [email protected].

To download your entire Google Drive, please visit:

08/13/2026

The Sterling Institute for Conservation and Community Leadership has asked whether we may share limited directory information—your name, mailing address, email address, and, if applicable, alumni details such as Sterling era and class year—to help them connect with individuals who may be interested in their work to sustain Sterling’s legacy.

To help you make an informed decision, the Sterling Institute has provided an overview document describing their mission and current initiatives available here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/627d42fada29335c5fbb58df/t/6a76297cc333ab590bd0811f/1786128764731/Overview+-+Sterling+Institute.pdf

Opt in here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmo1vQmHGMRZcJCXNMg5l4osp70-tKjl09aXSc2FzCFmZ1pg/viewform

07/09/2026

The last Sterling College campus showing will take place this Friday, July 10. Inquiries are to be directed to Yves Bradley at VT Commercial.

Yves E. Bradley, Principal Broker, Partner
802-363-5696
[email protected]

View the VT Commercial Real Estate Prospectus & Solicitation for Offers:
https://shorturl.at/kDtIx

06/30/2026

The Sterling College campus prospectus and solicitation for offers is now live. Vermont Commercial Real Estate will receive offers until July 20. After the deadline, the Board of Trustees will review all bids and make a decision about the future of the campus.

For specific details regarding Headwaters Community Trust’s initiative to purchase the campus, please contact [email protected].

Vermont Commercial Real Estate | Vermont Commercial Business Brokerage. Specializing in Vermont commercial real estate and Vermont business brokerage since 1986. Professionals serving Professionals!