Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college in rural Middlebury, VT. Founded in 1761, it was the first college in the U.S. to grant a bachelor’s degree to an African-American, in 1823. Its liberal arts curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and cultural awareness, and 30% of Middlebury’s students study the social sciences. Known for its foreign language programs, it operates Middlebury Schools Abroad in 38 cities around the world. The school built a biomass gasification plant on campus in 2008 and achieved carbon neutrality in 2016. The Middlebury Panthers compete in the NCAA’s Division III.