Donor Family Sues College for Stripping Ancestor’s Name From Campus Chapel

Lawsuit says ancestor was mischaracterized, wants name restored or $2.23 million

The nameplate of Mead Memorial Chapel at Middlebury College was removed on Sept. 27, 2021. Courtesy of James Douglas

A Vermont judge has ruled a lawsuit will move forward against Middlebury College for removing the name of a prominent donor from the campus chapel because of his views on eugenics.

The 223-year-old college had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. But Judge Robert A. Mello ruled in the first week of August to reject that request and let the lawsuit proceed.