Madison Saltsburg (2003-2024), affectionately known as “Madie” to her friends and family, was a well respected member of the University of Vermont’s ROTC community. Madie earned a three-year national ROTC scholarship upon graduating Northern H.S. in her hometown of Dillsburg, PA. This allowed Madie to travel north to pursue her collegiate education in landscape design at the University of Vermont, as well as to train to serve her country as a U.S. Army Officer.
As a member of the Green Mountain Battalion (GMB), Madie quickly made a name for herself as a top-notch Cadet. Madie worked vigorously to earn a position on the GMB’s Ranger Challenge team. With her assistance, the team would go on to make GMB history and earn an opportunity to compete at the prestigious Sandhurst competition hosted by the United States Military Academy. One of her proudest accomplishments as a Cadet was her successful graduation from the Army Mountain Warfare School’s Basic Military Mountaineering Course during the summer of 2023. Earning the coveted Ram's Head device propelled her towards the position of copresident of the GMB Mountaineering Club. Madie used her involvement in the club to introduce countless fellow Cadets and UVM students to the abundant outdoor recreation activities in Vermont that she was so passionate about.
During Madie’s three years at UVM, she gained an insatiable passion for a variety of activities which included rock climbing, hiking, backcountry skiing, and caving. Whilst she excelled at her classes on the UVM campus, she lived to be in the mountains with her friends and family. What Madie loved most about her adventures across the New England wilderness was sharing the experience with those she was closest with.
Madie will be remembered by all for her impeccable character and enormous heart. She was an active member in the UVM Reformed University Fellowship, from which she derived a pervasive network of support and strength. Madie’s devotion and commitment to her faith was immensely admirable, and her passion to provide strength and support to all those she cared for was unmatched.
On the 9th of March 2024, all those who were fortunate to know Madie experienced a great loss with her passing in a backcountry skiing accident on Mt. Washington. It is the intention of her family and friends that this fund be used in order to keep Madie’s memory and spirit alive for years to come. To all those in the UVM community that positively impacted Madie’s life, thank you; you can be assured Madie was abundantly grateful. And to those who are kind enough to support her memorial fund, please know that your contribution will have a measurable impact on continuing the legacy of a remarkable woman. Thank you for helping us ensure that Madie’s memory remains enshrined in her community now and into the future.
Give in Memory of Madie