Memorial Service for Evelyn Mae Sorensen ’25

We are writing to let you know about an upcoming candlelight vigil to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of Evelyn Mae Sorensen, Class of 2025. The remembrance will be held on Thursday, October 5, at 6 p.m. on the hillside in front of Middlebury Chapel. In case of inclement weather, the vigil will be held inside the chapel.

Preceding the Candlelight Vigil will be a silent bike ride hosted by student Emily Jones ’23.5. All who would like to join in a silent, monitored bike ride to honor Evelyn are invited to join at Parking Lot E (student lot) at 5 p.m. Helmets are mandatory and all traffic regulations for the six-mile, half-hour route must be observed. More details will be posted to the campus events calendar.

Expressions of grief, concern, and support have come from so many corners of our college—as well as from the surrounding community. We are including many ideas for ways to remember Evelyn, and are organizing the vigil in consultation with her family as a way to bring our community together for those who wish to remember and to celebrate Evelyn’s life. Remarks will be given by students, faculty, and staff who knew different aspects of her time at Middlebury.

Evelyn was a double major in earth and climate sciences and gender, sexuality, and feminist studies, from Lincoln City, Oregon. She was passionate about environmental solutions, with a keen interest in climate impacts on the water cycle. Faculty members who worked closely with Evelyn describe them as brilliant, kind, and fun with a deep curiosity. She was known for posing challenging intellectual questions to professors during office hours. Evelyn was engaged throughout our community academically and socially—on campus and in town. As a mountain guide with the Middlebury Mountain Club, they cared deeply about making outdoor recreation accessible for everyone.

Please remember that our Center for Health and Wellness staff, TimelyCare, and chaplains at the Scott Center are ready to provide support for any student. The Employee and Family Assistance Program, 866-660-9533 (company code: Middlebury College), is available 24/7 for faculty and staff and their immediate family members, and those residing in their homes.

Please continue to attend to your own needs and take care of each other in this difficult time of loss.

In community, 

Laurie L. Patton

President

Mark Orten

Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life