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Wells College

Coordinates: 42°44′43″N 76°41′53″W / 42.7452°N 76.6980°W / 42.7452; -76.6980
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Wells College
Official Logo of Wells College
Former names
Wells Seminary (1868–1870)
MottoArrive Curious, Graduate Prepared
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Active1868–2024
Endowment$24 million
PresidentSusan Henking
Academic staff
54
Administrative staff
120
Students357
Location
Aurora
,
New York
,
United States

42°44′43″N 76°41′53″W / 42.7452°N 76.6980°W / 42.7452; -76.6980
CampusRural
301 acres (1.22 km2)
AthleticsNCAA Division III—Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
Colorsred and white    
NicknameThe Express
Websitewww.wells.edu

Wells College was a private liberal arts college in Aurora, New York, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The college had cross-enrollment with Cornell University and Ithaca College. For much of its history it was a women's college. It was within the Aurora Village–Wells College Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The college was closed by the board of trustees and president of the college at the end of the spring 2024 semester, citing financial difficulties.[1][2] The closure process was expected to continue through the end of 2024.[3]

History

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1891 illustration of the Main Building
Wells College bell tower, part of Main Building

The college was established as a women's college in 1868, called Wells Seminary, by Henry Wells, co-founder of Wells Fargo and the American Express Company. Wells had the building for Wells Seminary constructed on property he donated, declining an invitation from Ezra Cornell to build a new campus in the (relatively) more cosmopolitan Ithaca. Two years later, in 1870, the seminary adopted the name, Wells College. On August 9, 1888, the college's main building burned to the ground. The building was replaced in 1890 by the so-called new Main Building, designed by architect William Henry Miller. In 1906, Henry Wells' 1852 mansion, Glen Park, was purchased by the Alumnae Association and given to the college for its use.[citation needed]

In 1886, Frances Folsom, Wells Class of 1885, married President Grover Cleveland and became the youngest First Lady of the United States. She was the only First Lady to have her wedding in the White House, and she was the first First Lady to have graduated from college. Frances Cleveland (later Preston, after her second marriage) served on the college's board of trustees for 50 years.

In 1965, Walter Netsch designed the Louis Jefferson Long Library. The design of this award-winning building inspired two other buildings on campus, Barler Music Hall and Campbell Art Building.

Coeducation

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After 136 years as a historically women's college, the Wells College Office of the President and the Board of Directors announced on October 2, 2004, the decision that, to increase enrollment, the institution would become a co-educational in 2005, with no prior involvement from student body or alumni. Students and alumni protested against the change.[4][5][6] Some parents of students also became involved in the protests.[7] Some of the students said that their protests were patterned after ones at Mills College in the early 1990s.[8] A website called Wells for Women was established to organize support.[9] After the college's decision to adopt coeducation was approved by its board, students filed a lawsuit, which the courts rejected.[10]

Financial difficulties

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In 2020, the president of Wells College, Jonathan Gibralter, sent a letter to the college community reporting that financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the college's future, writing, "If New York State continues its mandate that our campus remain closed through all or part of the [2020] fall semester, Wells simply will not receive enough revenue to continue operations."[11][12] With about 15% of Wells College's operating revenue coming from its Italy-based study abroad program, COVID-19-related impacts significantly affected the college's finances.[13]

On April 29, 2024, the college president and the chair of the college's board of trustees announced that the college would close at the end of the spring 2024 semester due to financial difficulties. The university community, including 352 students and 150 staff were provided no prior notice to make arrangements. Manhattanville University will maintain the college's transcripts, business records, and other important artifacts.[1]

The closure began May 31, 2024, "with full closure expected by the end of [2024]".[3] On July 1, 2024, Susan Henking was appointed president to oversee the closure.[14]

Academics

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Academic rankings
Liberal arts
U.S. News & World Report[15]124
Washington Monthly[16]159
National
Forbes[17]649

In 2023, U.S. News ranked Wells at 152 (tied) among liberal arts colleges nationally.[18] Additionally, U.S. News ranked Wells at 10 (tied) in Top Performers on Social Mobility.[19]

Wells College had several study abroad programs, most notably in Florence, Italy. It had created centers in sustainability, business and entrepreneurship, and book arts. Undergraduate students were required to participate in at least two internships during their time at Wells, one of which had to be off-campus.[citation needed]

Wells had an honor code to which all students subscribed. By signing the Honor Code, Wells students pledged "not to lie, cheat, steal, deceive, or conceal in the conduct of their collegiate life".[20] Wells allowed students to have take-home exams and to work in their residence hall rooms, at the library, or on the dock by the lake, rather than only in classrooms.[citation needed]

Athletics

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Wells College Boathouse on the Cayuga Lake

As a member of the Private College Athletic Conference throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Express sports teams of the college captured four consecutive conference championships in women's tennis (1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81).[21] They also won titles in women's bowling (1978–79, 1979–80). Wells, which officially became an NCAA Division III institution prior to the 1986–87 athletic season, joined the Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference (AWCC) prior to the 1996–97 athletic season. In 1996, the Wells women's soccer team captured the school's only AWCC championship title. At the time, Wells offered six intercollegiate athletic sports: field hockey, softball, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, women's swimming and women's tennis.

In 2005, as part of the Board of Trustees' decision to accept men to the traditionally all-women's college, Wells incorporated men's soccer, men's swimming, and men's and women's cross country into their athletic cadre.

Prior to the 2007–08 academic year, the Express teams were invited to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) and compete against 14 other schools in the East Region. In joining the NEAC, Wells competed for conference championships and the opportunity to receive an automatic qualifier to participate in the NCAA tournament in select sports. Ultimately, Wells captured six conference championships in the NEAC. Men's swimming won the first league title in 2009–10,[22] and earned a second title in 2012–13. Women's swimming have won three consecutive conference championships, during the 2011–12, 2012–13, and 2013–14 seasons.[23] Men's basketball won the NEAC championship in 2010–11 and was the first team from Wells to participate in the NCAA Tournament.

In the 2018–2019 season, the Wells men's volleyball team made it to the Elite 8 (Quarterfinals) in the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament before falling to Stevens Institute of Technology. In the 2019–2020 season, the Wells College women's swim team won first place in the NEAC swimming championships. In 2021, the NEAC rebranded and became the United East, adding St. Mary's College of Maryland. For the next two athletic seasons, Wells was a member of the United East Conference. In 2022, the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and Wells announced the Express would become full time members at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

On April 29th, 2024 the college announced its closure. Despite the uncertain time, Wells athletics had a successful spring season in their lone season in the AMCC. The Baseball team finished with a 19-18 overall record, while just missing the AMCC Tournament by a game. The Women’s Lacrosse team capped off the final season in program history winning the AMCC Lacrosse Championship and Regular Season Title. The Express finished the season 16-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play. Wells hosted the Semi-Finals and Championship rounds. On May 4th the Express defeated Mt. Aloysius to win the AMCC title by a score of 19-6 in what was the final sporting event in the historic Wells College history. Fitting for being founded as a women’s college. Despite winning their conference the Express did not get a bid into the NCAA DIII Women’s Lacrosse Tournament as the AMCC did not get an AQ Bid having only 4 teams in the conference. Between the two sports of baseball and women’s lacrosse the express accumulated a plethora of All-Conference selections during the final 2024 spring season.

As of the 2021–22 athletic season, Wells offered 15 NCAA Division III varsity sports, including field hockey, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, softball, and baseball.[24] Athletics were offered with half a PE (physical education) credit earned for each season completed.[25]

Leadership

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Deans

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Presidents

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  • Patti McGill Peterson (1980–1987)[29]

Notable alumni

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Notable faculty

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Announcement of Closure". Wells College (Press release). 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  2. ^ Weiner, Mark (2024-04-29). "Wells College to close after 156 years, citing financial strain". Syracuse. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  3. ^ a b Mack, Jacob. "Over 100 employees at this Finger Lakes College will soon need to search for work". The Ithaca Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  4. ^ Tarby, Russ (2002-06-14). "Trustees greeted by angry students". AuburnPub.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  5. ^ Spohr, George (2002-06-14). "Students stage sit-in to protest". AuburnPub.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  6. ^ Barton, Noelle (2002-06-14). "Wells students not going home". AuburnPub.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  7. ^ Barton, Noelle (2002-06-14). "Angered Wells parents feel left out". AuburnPub.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  8. ^ Spohr, George (2002-06-14). "Wells students' sit-in patterned after Mills". AuburnPub.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  9. ^ "Wells for Women". 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  10. ^ Wogan, Lisa. "When Wells Run Dry: Another women's college opens the door to men". Ms. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  11. ^ Rocheleau, Kelly (2020-05-08). "Wells College in Aurora warns it may close if students can't return in fall 2020". Ithaca Journal. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  12. ^ Brean, Berkeley (2020-05-26). "Wells College president: Without students on campus we 'cannot afford to reopen'". News 10 WHEC. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  13. ^ Whitford, Emma (2020-05-15). "Frank Assessment From a Private College". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  14. ^ rmoriarty@syracuse.com, Rick Moriarty | (2024-07-01). "Soon-to-be-closed Wells College appoints new president". syracuse. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  15. ^ "2024-2025 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "2024 Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "America's Top Colleges 2024". Forbes. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "Wells College Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  19. ^ "Wells College Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  20. ^ Wells Computer Services (2010-06-15). "Honor Code". Wells.edu. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  21. ^ "Wells College Athletics History". Wells Express.
  22. ^ "Wells College swimming" (PDF). Wells Express. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Women's swimming records" (PDF). Wells Express. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Wells athletics". Wells Express. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Wells College Athletics - Wells". Wells Express.
  26. ^ "Dr. John Delane Wilson, Honors College Director (1965-1968)". MSU Honors College. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  27. ^ "Statement on the Death of Former Wells President Frances Tarlton "Sissy" Farenthold – Wells College". Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  28. ^ "Historical Timeline".
  29. ^ "Head of Wells College Named President of St. Lawrence U." 1987-03-01.
  30. ^ "Former Cornell Provost Robert Plane dies at 90 | Cornell Chronicle". news.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  31. ^ "Wells College Appoints President Without Search". 1995-02-17.
  32. ^ "Wells College Board of Trustees Names Thomas E. J. de Witt as Interim President – Wells College". Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  33. ^ "Wells College Cuts Ties With President Gibralter". Finger Lakes Daily News. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  34. ^ Moriarty, Rick (2024-07-01). "Soon-to-be-closed Wells College appoints new president". Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  35. ^ "197. Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter, Lost Lady of Translation — with Jo Salas". Lost Ladies of Lit Podcast. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  36. ^ "Biographical Note | A Finding Aid to the John D. Graham papers, 1799-1988, bulk 1890-1961 | Digitized Collection | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution". www.aaa.si.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  37. ^ "Courses as an Instructor: Paul Hindemith". www.hindemith.info. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  38. ^ Foundation, Poetry (2024-07-04). "William Matthews". Poetry Foundation. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  39. ^ Hughes, Allen (April 7, 1978). "Nicolas Nabokov, 75, a composer; did 'Don Quixote', other ballets". New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2024.

Further reading

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  • Russ, Anne Julienne. Higher Education for women: Intent, reality, and outcomes, Wells College, 1868 - 1913 (PhD dissertation, Cornell University; ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1980. 8015732).
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