Bittersweet celebration as Wells College marks final commencement

AURORA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Wells College Class of 2024 walked across the stage on Saturday, May 18, at the school’s very last commencement.

It was a celebration that marked the end of an era.

“Wells College will forever be in our hearts, and it is up to us as the last graduating class to carry on this legacy,” said Lauren Spiegel, a student commencement speaker.

Wells College is closing its doors after years of facing financial difficulties. But for graduates, the Wells spirit will never truly leave them.

“The campus may go away, but Wells will not leave us. And you’ll see that in the lives we make, the careers we build and the communities we build, no matter where we end up,” Kalie Julien-Leach, another student commencement speaker, said.

It was an emotional moment for graduates, but for alumni in attendance to support them, the commencement feels bittersweet.

A day, that in their eyes, should be solely dedicated to the students, but wasn’t.

“We really just want to celebrate them. The last few weeks have been kind of a long, drawn-out funeral, and it shouldn’t be,” said Christy Gunderson VanArnum, a Wells College Class of 1995 alum.

In spite of that, the Wells community will always be behind them.

“I hope they embrace the day. That they enjoy their achievement and also know they have this huge community supporting them,” said Sloane Bailey, a Wells College Class of 1987.

For the Wells College Class of 2024, this is just the beginning.

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