Current News

Vermont Business Magazine For the past eight years, researchers have been conducting a groundbreaking study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund: The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC). With nearly 2,600 volunteers, the study aims to examine the molecular effects of exercise on healthy adults and children, considering factors like age, race, and gender. The goal is to create comprehensive molecular maps of these changes and uncover why physical activity has significant health benefits. “This is an unprecedented large-scale effort to begin to explore—in extreme detail—the biochemical, physiological, and clinical impact of exercise,” said Russell Tracy, Ph.D., a University of Vermont Distinguished Professor of pathology and laboratory science. “I’m pleased and honored that our lab at UVM was chosen to be the MoTrPAC Biorepository, and anticipate that the MoTrPAC ‘maps,’ when coupled with the carefully collected biosamples, will prove enormously useful over the next decade or more of related studies.”

by Emily Bradbury This spring, Megan Rippie will graduate from Vermont State University (VTSU) with a degree in Inclusive Childhood Education and a recommendation for licensure with endorsements to teach elementary education and special education in Vermont. She will, no doubt, be highly sought in Vermont’s public school system, where there are projected to be 7,850 job openings for K-12 teachers over the next decade. Despite promising job opportunities, excellent grades, and the fact that Megan has always wanted to teach, stress and uncertainty over the unpaid student teaching semester she’s completing at Cambridge Elementary School this spring threatened to dampen her excitement. 

Saint Michael's College It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of one St. Mike's greatest: Please remember in your prayers Michael D. Samara, a longtime member of our community and former Dean of Students/Vice President for Student Affairs, who passed away two weeks ago. In the week before he died, Mike was on campus having lunch in our student dining room greeting colleagues and enjoying a visit to campus. Mike served our community well and many of us are grateful for his time spent at the College where he established many friendships among us. Mike’s deep faith in God is our consolation as we grieve his passing knowing that he is now with the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella on Friday, May 3, 2024, sent a letter to the UVM community announcing that intended Commencement Speaker Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will not attend the graduation. He also addressed the student protests on campus. 

by Representatives Ashley Bartley, Kelly Pajala, Tristan Roberts and Katherine Sims As state lawmakers representing rural communities in our state, we are tasked with finding solutions to complex challenges and making Vermont a more affordable place for families to live. It’s no secret that Vermont is in the midst of a child care crisis – but by making historic long-term investments in child care through Act 76 and centering rural communities in our policies, we’re creating more affordability for families. Over 60% of Vermont’s youngest children who are likely to need child care currently live in a child care desert. In some of Vermont's most rural areas, that number is as high as 90%. Some of our constituents have said they’re forced to drive 80 miles or more each day to access child care, just so they can remain in the workforce and earn a living. 

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies Join Brophy Tyree, co-founder of Wasted*, on a journey through the “wild world of circular sanitation.” The Vermont startup is using the power of storytelling to sell its product that’s based on a taboo subject: human waste. Whether you are trying to run a company that is not the most aesthetically pleasing, or simply curious about how this company reached success, this is the podcast for you. We promise your time won’t be Wasted*.

by Stephen Leffler, MD, President UVMMC Every week I get calls and letters from patients who say they are waiting too long for care, especially surgical care. Often, they are right – no question. There are several reasons behind the wait times and it’s going to take work to make a dent in our access challenges, but serving our patients and ensuring they get great care is why I became a physician, so I’m deeply committed to that effort. We know one of the solutions to improve timely access to care is construction of the Outpatient Surgery Center in South Burlington that we have asked the Green Mountain Care Board to approve. This isn’t a facility that would be nice to have – for the people of our region, it’s a must-have.

Leonine Public Affairs In the context of the budget negotiations, Secretary of Administration Kristin Clouser submitted a letter to the conference committee making recommendations on how to finalize the budget without raising taxes. Clouser emphasized strong revenues throughout the first four months of the calendar year and said lawmakers can leverage these revenues to balance the budget and buy down property taxes, which are projected to increase an average of 20 percent if the legislature fails to act on it. Clouser also urged legislators to reject a proposal to tax streaming services, which would be applied directly to consumers, saying the revenue is unnecessary given the state’s strong economic position. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Below are the letters and press releases sent to us from interested parties regarding the appointment of Zoie Saunders as Vermont Secretary of Education. She was appointed to the position by Governor Phil Scott on March 22 and her confirmation was rejected by the state Senate on April 30. Moments after her failed confirmation, Scott appointed her as the interim secretary, which does not require Senate confirmation. This is the first failed Cabinet appointment in memory and it could be unprecedented. Some in the Senate feel the interim appointment circumvents the political process and could be a violation of it. To date, no formal action has been taken by the Senate concerning the interim appointment. Saunders could be appointed full secretary by Scott after the Legislature adjourns. In any case, her term is only through February 2025 when all Cabinet posts must be confirmed for the new biennium.

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bank, with branches in Vermont, earned a place on Forbes 2024 World’s Best Banks list, which was released on April 16, 2024. Forbes’ list is based on customer satisfaction. To develop the list, Forbes surveyed more than 49,000 customers around the globe for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships. Banks were rated on overall recommendation and satisfaction, as well as five subdimensions—trust, terms and conditions, digital services, customer services and financial advice. one of only 68 U.S. banks to be included on the list out of tens of thousands of banks globally that are eligible to be considered. 

Vermont Business Magazine NBT Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: NBTB) has reported net income and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $33.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted common share, compared to $33.7 million, or $0.78 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and $30.4 million, or $0.64 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating diluted earnings per share1, a non-GAAP measure, which excludes acquisition expenses, acquisition-related provision for credit losses, securities gains (losses) and an impairment of a minority interest equity investment, net of tax, was $0.68 for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $0.88 for the first quarter of 2023 and $0.72 for the fourth quarter of 2023. 

Saint Michael's College Saint Michael's Diversity Coalition club held its annual International Festival, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the event on April 20. Through dance, music, speech and food, the Saint Michael’s community enjoyed an evening full of enthusiasm, engagement, and celebration of multiculturalism and diverse identities on our campus, continuing the club’s tradition. Read a first-hand account from the club's co-president Isabella Paredes Mendoza '24 and see photos from the event.