In a recent court decision, the Vermont Superior Court has declined to restore the name of former Middlebury College president John M. McCardell Jr. to the Middlebury Chapel. The chapel was previously named the Mead Memorial Chapel in honor of benefactor Erastus Mead, but McCardell had successfully petitioned to have his name added to the chapel in 2011.
However, the decision to add McCardell’s name to the Chapel was met with opposition from the Middlebury community, prompting a lawsuit to have his name removed. The Vermont Superior Court ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, determining that McCardell did not have the authority to unilaterally change the name of the chapel.
The controversy surrounding the chapel’s name change has stirred debate among Middlebury alumni, faculty, and students. Some argue that McCardell’s contributions to the college justified the name change, while others believe that the decision should have been made collectively by the Middlebury community.
Despite the court’s decision, McCardell remains influential in the Middlebury community as a prominent figure in the college’s history. As the president of Middlebury College from 1992 to 2004, he oversaw significant developments and changes at the institution.
Overall, the Vermont Superior Court’s ruling highlights the importance of community involvement and consensus in decisions about the naming of public spaces. Though McCardell’s legacy at Middlebury College remains intact, the Mead Memorial Chapel will continue to honor the memory of Erastus Mead for years to come.
Source
Photo credit news.google.com