MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- By any measure, 2015 was a remarkable year in the life of Middlebury. Athletics stories bookended the year: a new field house in January and a national field hockey championship in November. In between we welcomed a new president and said farewell to one who had been part of the campus community for more than 30 years. We celebrated major anniversaries and new programs, and grappled with difficult issues of race, ethnicity, and student stress. Here's a look back at some of the notable stories that defined the past year.

Middlebury Launches New Brand Identity System

January 7, 2015 –

The new visual and naming system will clarify the relationships among Middlebury's academic entities.

Middlebury Dedicates Virtue Field House

January 26, 2015 –

More than 600 people turned out to celebrate the dedication of Virtue Field House. Later the College inducted its first class to the Athletics Hall of Fame.

New Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts First Members

January 28, 2015 –

The charter group included three men and two women covering a span of nine decades in eight different sports.

Bread Loaf School of English Receives Grant to Participate in Navajo Health Initiative

March 2, 2015 –

The CDC-administered grant will tap the Bread Loaf Teacher Network for training in digital and literacy skills for a select cohort of Navajo students.

Writer Looks Ahead to Post-Racist America

March 10, 2015 –

Ta-Nehisi Coates professes that racism does not stem from race. Rather, that race flows from racism and the need to exploit other people.

Middlebury Institute at Monterey Confers Graduate Degrees to 255 Students from 27 Countries

May 19, 2015 –

The 2015 Spring Commencement ceremony took place Saturday, May 16th.

The Liebowitz Years: Leading with Conviction

May 22, 2015 –

As Ron Liebowitz prepares to depart, Middlebury Magazine looks at how the 16th president shaped the institution.

Commencement Highlights: Middlebury Celebrates the Class of 2015

May 24, 2015 –

Middlebury welcomed the Class of 2015 to its alumni ranks on Sunday, May 24.

Language Schools Centennial

July 20, 2015 –

Over a 10-day celebration of academic and artistic events, Middlebury honored its past and looked to the future of language learning.

Middlebury Inaugurates Laurie L. Patton as 17th President

October 11, 2015 –

On a beautiful autumn morning, the new president spoke of Middlebury's "determined, engaged optimism" in her inaugural address.

Environmental Luminaries Help Mark 50th Anniversary of ES Program

October 13, 2015 –

Van Jones and Bill McKibben were among the distinguished speakers honoring Middlebury's 50 years of environmental education and leadership.

Field Hockey Team Edges Bowdoin for National Championship

November 22, 2015 –

The Middlebury field hockey team claimed its second NCAA Championship with a 1-0 win over Bowdoin.