by Gudrun  Hutchins

In 1883, Middlebury College’s precarious finances, low enrollments, and a demand for female higher education from the townspeople of Middlebury, led to the acceptance of the first three female students: May Anna Bolton, Louise Hagar Edgerton, and May Belle Chellis. This was not unusual for the time, as over 50 percent of American colleges were already letting individual women in by 1880.

As one of the first three women admitted to Middlebury College, and as the first woman to graduate in 1886, May Belle Chellis’ presence and accomplishments forced the trustees to make accommodations for women to attend Middlebury College. Chellis developed a special curriculum, designated dedicated study and living space for women, and demanded awards for scholarship. According to Chellis: “The faculty were not going to require us to do the regular work that the boys had, but May Bolton, Louise Edgerton, and I insisted that we ought to do it just the same.” Chellis captured the highest rank in Greek at the end of her freshman year, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and first in her class, and delivered her essay “The Growth of Criticism” at the 1886 Commencement.

Chellis House, the Women’s Center at Middlebury College, is named in honor of May Belle Chellis.