News & Events

Burlington College President Jane O?Meara Sanders has announced that Brenda Torpy will speak at Commencement Exercises to be held on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the First Unitarian Universalist Society?s Meetinghouse, located at Church and Pearl Streets in Burlington.

Torpy has served as Executive Director of the Burlington Community Land Trust since 1991. Previously, she led the successful tenant buy-out of the Northgate Apartments and served in the multi-family department of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. From 1982 until 1986, she was the City of Burlington?s Director for Housing. Her career has been characterized by a capacity to organize and lead broad coalitions in the service of social and economic justice. Under her direction BCLT has become a national model for the creation and preservation of inclusive, affordable housing.

Sanders said, ?Brenda Torpy?s achievements, which have created positive change through community action and partnership, typify the sort of involvement Burlington College was founded to foster in its students. We are pleased that she will be present to inspire our graduates as they move into the next phase of their development.? In recognition of Ms. Torpy?s outstanding accomplishments and contributions, the College will confer upon her the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.