# Castleton University

> former university in Vermont, USA

**Wikidata**: [Q1049687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1049687)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castleton_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/castleton-university

## Summary
Castleton University was a public university located in Castleton, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1787, it served as an academic institution for further education until its dissolution in 2023. The university was succeeded by Vermont State University following an amalgamation process.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1787
- **Dissolved**: 2023 (via amalgamation)
- **Location**: Castleton, Vermont, USA (Coordinates: 43.608022, -73.178548)
- **Successor**: Vermont State University
- **Type**: Public educational institution / University
- **Former Names**: Castleton Seminary, Castleton State College
- **Student Enrollment**: 2,211 (as of September 2020)
- **Employee Count**: 402 (as of September 2020)
- **Admission Rate**: 88% (as of 2020)
- **Carnegie Classification**: Baccalaureate colleges: diverse fields; Four-year, small, highly residential
- **Athletics**: Castleton Spartans
- **Website**: https://www.castleton.edu/

## FAQs
### Q: Is Castleton University still open?
A: No, Castleton University was dissolved in 2023. It was succeeded by Vermont State University, a new public university formed through an amalgamation.

### Q: What was the student population of Castleton University?
A: As of September 2020, the university had 2,211 students and employed 402 staff members.

### Q: Where was Castleton University located?
A: The university was located in Castleton, Vermont, with its campus situated at 62 Alumni Dr, Castleton, VT, 05735.

### Q: What happened to Castleton University?
A: The institution was dissolved in 2023 due to an amalgamation. It was followed by the establishment of Vermont State University in July 2023.

## Why It Matters
Castleton University holds historical significance as a long-standing educational institution in Vermont, with its inception dating back to 1787. As a public university, it played a crucial role in the state's higher education landscape for over two centuries, transitioning from its early identity as Castleton Seminary and later Castleton State College.

The university is particularly notable for its recent structural transformation, which serves as a case study in higher education consolidation. In 2023, Castleton University ceased to exist as an independent entity to become part of Vermont State University. This amalgamation was a strategic move to unify public higher education resources in Vermont. Its legacy continues through its successor institution, which absorbed its campus, student body, and educational mission. With a high admission rate (88% in 2020) and a classification as a "four-year, small, highly residential" institution, it provided accessible, diverse baccalaureate education in a rural American setting.

## Notable For
- **Historical Longevity**: Founded in 1787, making it one of the older institutions of higher learning in the region.
- **Structural Transformation**: Its dissolution in 2023 marked a significant shift in Vermont's higher education system, resulting in the creation of Vermont State University.
- **Accessibility**: Maintained an 88% admission rate as of 2020, reflecting an inclusive admissions policy.
- **Athletics**: Known for its "Castleton Spartans" athletics program.
- **Carnegie Classification**: Recognized specifically as a "Baccalaureate college with diverse fields" and "Postbaccalaureate: education-dominant."

## Body

### History and Evolution
Castleton University was established in 1787. Throughout its history, it operated under several aliases, including **Castleton Seminary** and **Castleton State College**. The institution operated as a public educational institution of the United States.

In 2023, the university underwent an amalgamation, leading to its dissolution. It was officially succeeded by **Vermont State University**, a public university that officially opened its doors in July 2023.

### Campus and Location
The university was headquartered in **Castleton, Vermont**, United States. The primary street address was **62 Alumni Dr, Castleton, VT, 05735**, with headquarters also listed at 86 Seminary Street. The campus was situated at specific coordinates: Latitude 43.608022, Longitude -73.178548.

### Academic Profile and Demographics
According to 2020 data, Castleton University had a student body of **2,211** students and employed **402** individuals. The institution was characterized by a "semester" academic calendar.

**Admissions Statistics (2020):**
- Admission Rate: 0.88 (88%)
- Admission Yield Rate: 0.17 (17%)

**Carnegie Classifications:**
The university held multiple classifications, including:
- Baccalaureate colleges: diverse fields
- Four-year, small, highly residential
- Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence
- Postbaccalaureate: education-dominant, with arts & sciences

### Leadership
In recent years, the institution's leadership included:
- **Karen M. Scolforo**: Served as President/Chairperson from October 2017 to June 2020.
- **Jonathan Peter Spiro**: Named Interim President starting in 2020.

### Identity and Digital Presence
The university utilized the athletics program name **Castleton Spartans**. Its digital presence was centralized under the handle `@castletonedu` across platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The official website was `https://www.castleton.edu/`.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://www.castleton.edu/news-media/article/dr-karen-m-scolforo-to-step-down-as-president-of-castleton-university/)
5. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenscolforo)
6. [Source](https://www.castleton.edu/news-media/article/dr-jonathan-spiro-named-interim-president-of-castleton-university/)
7. [Source](https://www.castleton.edu/about-castleton/our-campus/)
8. ROR release v1.19
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. GeoNames
11. [Source](http://www.castleton.edu)
12. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
13. Google Knowledge Graph
14. GRID Release 2015-12-14
15. GRID Release 2016-12-06
16. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
17. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
18. National Center for Education Statistics
19. YouTube API