Another long winter is in the rear view and the days are growing warmer. As our seasonal cycle continues forth, it is good to take a look behind us at the big year we’ve had. On our side, our team continues to grow and change with three seniors saying farewell and three brand new hires we can’t wait to welcome in. From growing our communities on both Instagram and Tiktok, to supplying you all with plentiful advice on our blog and even (you can’t forget) giving away lots of stuff with weekly Freebie Fridays, we’ve been busy!
Just like always, with the ending of another year comes another installment of the UVM BORED Awards. Now in its 12th consecutive year, The BORED Awards highlight the best at UVM and beyond as voted on by YOU! Some new, some old, some odd and some classic, there’s a little bit of everything featured. Read on to find out who will come out on top…
Best dining hall
Winner: Harris-Millis
Every year there seems to be a new dining hall on top, asserting itself as a means to be reckoned with. This year, that dining hall is Harris-Millis. This community garnering feasting place is located on Athletic Campus and features a gorgeous view of the mountains through the tallest windows you’ve ever seen. As a former Redstone resident, I’ve minimal experience, but from what I’ve heard, the ice cream is a real point of allure, or maybe even the student-coined alias (that shall not be named) earned this dining hall its spot at number one.
Best Retail dining
Winner: Halal Shack
Halal Shack is this year’s retail dining winner! Between their rice and fries bowls, naanaritos, salads, and more, this quick on-campus dining spot has been bringing bold new flavors to campus since its recent touchdown. After their addition to the Meal Exchange options list, we’re in no way surprised that Halal Shack has taken home the top spot. Check ‘em out on the first floor of the UVM Davis Center.
Best Coffee
Winner: muddy waters
For the fourth year in a row, Muddy Waters has taken the crown for best coffee in town! From its cozy and whimsical energy to its delicious drinks and pastries, we are not at all surprised that this incredible cafe has remained a UVM favorite.
Best pizza place
Winner: folino's
There's nothing quite like a Folino’s pizza on an early summer night. This year’s winner serves up absolutely mouthwatering hand-stretched sour dough pizza right here in Burlington! Check out the crayons and pizza themed coloring pages when you visit! You’re never too old for some pre-dinner arts & crafts.
best bagel stop
Winner: Burlington Bagel Bakery
This one isn’t a shocker, as Burly Bagel has taken this award for years, and rightfully so. This place has a significant portion of my paycheck, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! The build your own bagel sandwich combinations are endless. The bagels themselves are fresh, flavorful, and the perfect texture. I am delighted that there are multiple locations within a 10 minute drive of campus (3 to be exact, and yes I frequent them all). Our runner up, Willow’s is also quite close by, just a 5 minute drive from campus.
Best Creemee
Winner: Mr. Creemee
While the name change has thrown me off (previously Little Gordo) the creemees remain immaculate nonetheless. With lovely flavor combinations (my personal favorite of last summer being ube/vanilla twist) this place is sure to exceed expectations. I love the texture of the ice cream, the toppings, and the atmosphere. Or of course you can always keep it classic with a good old maple creemee from our runner up, Burlington Bay!
Best professor
Winner: Steve Gagner
Although I have never had a class that has anything to do with business, Professor Gagner’s reputation precedes him, and he is famous in the world of entrepreneurial academics. Whether discussing his illustrious military career, the leather goods and brewing companies he founded, or the steps towards successful entrepreneurship, Professor Gagner will have you hook, line, and sinker. Take some time next fall to enjoy a course with Professor Gagner and you will find out why his RateMyProfessor is a 4.7/5.
Best course
Winner: NR 1020
Natural History & Human Ecology 2 has taken home this year’s “Best Course” award! The course explores the intersection of natural landscapes, their effects on society, and vice versa. Sounds fascinating to us!
Best college
Winner: College of arts & Sciences
The winner year after year, as the largest college here at UVM. They’ve got it all; opportunities across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences! Filled with some of the most creative cats on campus, this college is a true winner. And our runners up are filled with innovation and entrepreneurship…as The Grossman School of Business!
Best club sport
Winner: Figure Skating
Now, I have never figured skating, but, like most of the world, Alysa Liu has impacted my view of the sport drastically. The physically intense and demanding, yet graceful and elegant, sport of figure skating is one not to be trifled with, much like our lovely team of figure skaters at UVM! They have many skilled athletes that compete in a well-balanced team of freestyle skaters and a synchronized skating program. Check them out and enjoy their beautiful moves and abounding talents!
Best intramural sport
Winner: Volleyball
Having personally never participated in this intramural sport, I can’t speak to the magic that has clearly grabbed the student body, but grab you it did! Volleyball wins this category, collecting more than double the amount of votes as the runner-up. Maybe it was the feeling of perfectly setting to your teammate or even spiking that ball down and hearing it hit the court floor. It could have been the diving saves or maybe even the friends we made along the way? Whatever it was, according to the masses, it was something worth experiencing!
Favorite sporting event
Winner: Men's and women's hockey
It is not shocking to me that our Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams have won the award for Favorite Sporting Event, as their matches are always packed to the brim and the energy in the stadium is so loud that it shakes the Patrick Gym. I have been to my fair share of these games, and I will never get over watching our team win and feeling the energy in the crowd ignite. Congrats to our Cats on ice!
Best club
Winner: Grossman Case Competition Association
Our best club winner this year was only founded two years ago but is standing stronger than ever. Congratulations to the Grossman Case Competition Association for winning not only a BORED Award but also for the many competition wins and recognitions this past year!
best media organization
Winner: UVM BORED
STOPPP... We’re blushing. For real though, thank you. UVM BORED is and always has been for students and by students, so your support means the world to us. From our claw machine convos at tabling to our never-ending event calendar, we hope we’ve kept you nothing but entertained and in the know. A special shoutout to our repeat runner up, The Watertower, for keeping us laughing!
best on campus event
Winner: Springfest
For the fifth year in a row, we’re happy to announce that UPB’s Springfest has won best on campus event! This year’s Springfest brought The Driver Era and Between Friends to town along with flower crown making, local food trucks, and fabulous student performers. We can’t wait to see who UPB wrangles up to bring to Burlington next year!
best building
Winner: Aiken Center
Amidst numerous buildings scattered throughout our gorgeous college campus, one building, according to the tally, shines a bit brighter. That building is the Aiken Center. It is homebase to many of you Rubenstein folks and became officially net zero in 2023 after years of innovation. The plant-filled rooms are a lovely place to breathe in some fresh oxygen while knee deep in studies and a gray Burlington winter.
best learning community
Winner: Outdoor Experience
As a former Slade Hall warrior, I can attest to the wonders of the Outdoor Experience Learning Community. Outdoor Experience helps students of all abilities enjoy the nature and weather of Vermont; some notable events include winter hikes, snowshoeing, and farm visits. Last year, I was able to go sailing with friends on Lake Champlain because of an event that Outdoor Experience put together, and I will never forget watching the sun cast shadows on us while peering down from overhead. What great times, indeed!
best place to photosynthesize
Winner: Howe steps
Ever walked past UVM’s Howe Library on a day where it was more than 40 degrees outside? If you have, chances are high that the steps in front of the entrance were chock full of students eager to soak up a few seconds of good ‘ol Vermont sun. As a steps frequenter myself, it’s true that the beige concrete does soak up sunlight like no other, making for an unbeatable on-campus tanning experience. Get out there before the end of the year!
best local band
Winner: swampy tonk
We all saw them at SpringFest 2026, and we’ve surely seen them at other local showcases. This band is known as Burlington's premier 80/90's style country band! The group loves to groove with each other and an audience and their stage presence is contagious, you’ll surely want to clap along.
best local dj
Winner: Kate kush
You know her. You love her. Recent UVM grad and popular local DJ Kate Kush takes home the top spot in this category, and we’re not surprised at all! Whether you’ve caught one of her sets in a local basement, at a bar, or at a city-wide event, her blending of techno, electro, club classics, and more is unmistakable. Check out @_kate_kush on Instagram for more!
Best beach
Winner: North Beach
Located just up the shore, bordering Lone Rock, is a haven of warm sand and open water. I am talking, of course, about North Beach. At this beacon of community, you will likely run into just about everybody you know, sun bathing, playing an intense game of spike ball or grabbing an ice cream cone at The Beach House. And if you’re looking for another option to add to the list, this year’s runner up, Leddy Beach, is a great choice.
best live music
winner: radio bean
Radio Bean is THE spot for local music, and I am so happy it is finally getting its flowers. As a senior, I have spent many-a-night jamming with attendees to new hits, old classics, and fan-favorites, alike, but nothing beats the band that your old floormates are in (hello Tabarnak I love you)! Radio Bean has always been a staple in my heart, and forever will their billowing gold-leafed window shades wave in my mind. Congrats Bean!
Best hiking spot
Winner: Mt. Mansfield
She’s the tallest mountain in Vermont, she’s beautiful year round, and she’s got the sweetest 360 views from her pinnacle…Mt. Mansfield is a beaut and always a lovely trek. On a clear day, the panoramic views reveal Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains in New York, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and the surrounding Green Mountains of Vermont. While she’s quite lovely, our runner up offers a spectacular 360 view as well, dearest Camel’s Hump!
best skiing
Winner: sugarbush
As the defending champion, Sugarbush Resort has staked its claim as the Catamounts’ favorite local ski spot. With over 100 trails, four terrain parks, two mountain peaks, and so much more, the mountain resort offers fun for UVM skiers and riders alike. Plus, the mountain is less than an hour’s drive from campus, and IKON passholders can access the mountain through the partnership, too, making it wildly convenient for UVM students.
