A Henry Wells scholar, senior class president, co-chair of Campus Greens, and a dedicated actress, BethAnne Nelson ’07 maintains an intense schedule with remarkable poise and determination. 

A native of Arden Hills, Minnesota, she came to Wells because she wanted to attend a college where she could hone her skills as an actress. A performing arts major, BethAnne originally intended to minor in French, but after a class in environmental studies during her freshman year, she became deeply interested in the field and is now pursuing it as a minor. She is fascinated by the complexity of environmental studies, and the inter-connectedness of economics, environmental science, and social policy. “The economics of underdeveloped countries are of particular interest to me,” she says.

In the fall of her junior year, BethAnne journeyed to Cork, Ireland for a term at University College. She immersed herself in Irish culture and studied the language, traditional Irish dance and music, and Irish social history. For her 21st birthday, she traveled to Belfast in Northern Ireland and signed her name on the Peace Line, a wall separating Catholic and Protestant sections of the city. 

When asked about her plans for the future, she doesn’t hesitate: “I will be happy with whatever I'm doing—as long as I stay true to who I am as an artist, then I will feel successful.”
 

Vanessa Spears ’07

As a high school junior, Vanessa Spears ’07 knew exactly what she would need to reach her potential. In her hometown of Harlem, she chose to attend a small alternative high school with a graduating class of about 30 students. She is one of only ten students in New York City to be awarded the prestigious Parsons Scholarship in Art and Design. This claim to fame quickly drew the attention of her school’s guidance counselor, who enthusiastically nominated her for Wells’ 21st Century Leadership Award.

Shortly after learning that she had been awarded this scholarship, she made her first visit to Wells’ rural central New York campus.  She knew that she wanted to attend a school with a strong program in business and finance, but wondered if the cultural differences between the inner city and the country might be too much. As soon as she stepped off the bus, she realized that Wells was exactly what she wanted – “I could tell right away that the students here were passionate about learning!”

She’s never looked back. “It’s amazing how much people here are willing to help you. In my Calculus class, the other students got together and held a study session just for me when I was struggling with a new concept.”

In addition to conducting an internship in her junior year with the Bank of New York through Wells’ Corporate Affiliate Program, she is president of both P.O.W.E.R. (Praising Our Work, Ethnicity, and Race) and the Wells International Student Association.  She is also the director of Appointed, the student gospel choir; and works regularly as an Admissions Office tour guide and overnight host coordinator. After graduation, she plans to travel then enter an MBA program to continue her studies in business and finance.
 

Rebecca Cooper  ’07

Choosing her own path is second nature for Rebecca Cooper, a senior from Eliot, Maine, who has risen through the ranks of Collegiate Cabinet from first-year class treasurer to president of the student body. She is also an active participant in many other campus groups and projects.

Home-schooled for most of her youth, Becca teasingly said, “I never went to high school!” While finding friends was not difficult for her, she never quite figured out how other students found the time for classes: “By the time I was done with piano lessons and horseback riding and gymnastics and dance and voice lessons, I had no idea how other kids had time to sit in school!” 

This proactive, independent-minded style of education suited Becca well when it came time for her to plan her course of study at Wells College. “I think the thing about Wells is that you can pick your classes and your interests, things I always got to do as a homeschooler,” she said.

Becca chose to major in performing arts with a concentration in theater and dance. Her course of study will culminate in a thesis presentation at the end of the spring semester in which she will stage a jousting tournament—complete with authentic accents, full costumes, and real horses. The project comes on the heels of her recent independent studies in stage combat and weaponry, as well as courses in dance and theater and a strong liberal arts foundation. 

Her advice for new students? “Get involved as soon as possible! Your time at college goes by so fast. I look back and say, ‘Why didn’t I do that as a freshman?’ ” 
 

Patricia Castro-Vega ‘05

In high school, Patricia Castro-Vega ’05, of Richwood, Ohio, volunteered at a welfare-to-work program for single mothers. She met a woman who only ate three or four times a week, slept on the floor, and worked two jobs – sacrifices made so her children could sleep on a bed and attend school. This single mother wanted her oldest son to be a doctor. “Her determination just blew me away,” says Patricia.

At Wells, Patricia is preparing to major in economics and hopes to eventually enter politics as an advocate for women. “When you take time to help other people, the appreciation on their faces is something you carry with you for the rest of your life,” she explains.  “It is a very moving and spiritually fulfilling experience to help people live happier lives and realize that everything can really be okay.”

This past year Patricia was president of her class, a member of P.O.W.E.R. (Praising Our Work, Ethnicity and Race), Model United Nations, The Onyx (student newspaper), and the Women’s Resource Center. Among other service activities, she helped organize a haunted hayride for local children at Wells.

“Knowing a random statistic or being able to string sentences together is important, but so is understanding where those around you are coming from and having compassion,” she says. Patricia is a graduate of Columbus School for Girls.
 

Lauren Foley ’04

Andy Warhol is considered one of the most important visual artists of the 20th century. Lauren Foley ’04 of Far Hills, New Jersey, had the opportunity to learn about the artist during a January internship at the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in New York City.

Lauren worked with the head curator at the foundation and examined 1,000 offset, hand-painted lithographs by Warhol and summarized their condition. Additionally, she viewed the artist’s private collection of photographs and helped organize an upcoming show in Switzerland.

She says, “I have always been fascinated by PopArt and Andy Warhol. Thanks to my internship, I have a more detailed knowledge of the subject and what made Andy tick.” Lauren also gained valuable curatorial skills and learned how artwork is authenticated for collectors and museums.

Lauren reports the foundation’s staff was very supportive and helpful, “They were all so willing to help me and teach me about everything.” The experience confirmed that pursuing a major in art history is the right choice for her. “I now need to narrow down what I want to do in the field. The internship was the best thing I could have done at this time. I know what I want to do with my life.” Lauren is a graduate of Ridge High School.
 

Tracy Flynn ‘03

An alumna-sponsored January internship took Tracy Flynn ’03, from Midland Park, New Jersey, to California where she learned about working in the investment world and experienced a part of the country she hadn’t experienced before. An English major with a minor in economics, Tracy interned with The Capital Group, Inc., in Los Angeles.  As a member of their communications team, her main responsibility was researching the viability of offshore funds for investors. Her work culminated with the presentation of her findings to the company. 

Tracy rates the experience as “phenomenal” because she was encouraged to work independently and at her own pace, an approach that strengthened her self-confidence and allowed her to apply her time management skills. “Most important, though, are the contacts I made through my internship,” she says.  “I’m still in touch with both of my on-site supervisors.” 

The internship also gave her the opportunity to explore California. She stayed in Manhattan Beach with a Wells alumna and her family. “They were wonderful hosts and made me feel truly welcome in an otherwise unfamiliar environment. I was able to explore downtown Los Angeles, went to San Francisco for a weekend, and hiked in the mountains at their cabin.”
 

Stephanie Buckland '03

A Henry Wells Scholar, Stephanie entered the world of Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Elmo for her first, real-life internship last year. A native of Pelham, New York, she interned with the Children’s Television Workshop in New York City on the popular Sesame Street television program.

Her primary responsibility was gathering data from children. She also monitored live studio feed to make sure the show had strong educational content, and she aided in the script review process.

“I loved going out into the field, testing the shows, and working with the children. I also enjoyed reviewing scripts and putting the data together to see what part of the show caught the children’s attention and what didn’t. I enjoyed the fact that I was treated as part of a team and not just as an intern,” says Stephanie.

A graduate of Pelham Memorial High School, she is seeking a career that combines working with children and television production. For her January internship this year, she worked in a multi-age classroom setting.
 

Saira Raza ‘02

“Volunteering has always been a part of my life,” says Saira Raza ’02. “It’s a daily routine of giving back to the community that gives me what I need.” 

In her senior year at Wells, Saira served as student government president and community service coordinator.  Her vision was to expand campus awareness of service and activism, and she organized a daylong conference on activism last spring. She is proud of her work with Amnesty International to help local migrant farm workers. “The entire community participates in an annual food and clothing drive I started,” she says. 

Saira majored in international studies with a minor in
Africana studies and sees a clear connection between academics and activism. “To serve well, I have to do the research. In classes at Wells, you learn about the problems. In service and activism, you make solutions.” 

Saira was awarded the 2002 Anne J. Russ Prize for Social Responsibility and is currently at Cornell University doing graduate work in the Africana studies program. Saira is a graduate of Lansing High School in Lansing, New York.
 

Jeanelle Bovell '02

While many college students party in Cancun and Fort Walton Beach at spring break, Jeanelle Bovell '02 of Brooklyn, New York, took a much more meaningful vacation from her studies.

Along with other Wells students and staff members, Jeanelle traveled to Johns Island, South Carolina, for an Alternative Spring Break dedicated to community service. The group helped impoverished residents with home repairs and tutored the children of migrant workers.

"I enjoy doing community service because it expands my mind on the realities of life, making me take a look at the things within me that need to be humbled," she reports. "The trip to South Carolina changed my life, not just because of the new bonds made with the students and staff, but because of the team work and the experience itself."

Jeanelle is president of Wells' Christian Fellowship and a member of P.O.W.E. R. (Praising Our Work, Ethnicity, and Race). A public affairs major, she plans to pursue a career in law.
 

Jen Ellsworth '01

A native of Geneva, New York, Jen says she likes Wells because there is flexibility in the academic program that has enabled her to tailor her studies to suit her interests.

She is taking advantage of the college’s 3/2 engineering affiliation with Columbia University and will earn a B.A. degree from Wells and a B.S. degree from Columbia — all in five years. “This way I am able to receive a liberal arts education and a technical education,” says Jen. Upon completing her undergraduate work, she plans to enter a Ph.D. program in physics.

“I like that I have been able to get to know my Wells professors and work with them one-on-one. The faculty are really interested in what I’m doing and are very supportive. They push me so that I’m working to the best of my ability,” she says.

Jen’s co-curricular activities include the Women’s Resource Center, the lacrosse team, and the physics club. “I have always felt at home here. That’s why I decided to come to Wells in the first place.” She is a graduate of Geneva High School.
 

Jamila Simon ’01

Jamila plans to earn a master’s degree in environmental science after graduating from Wells. She also writes poetry, and last spring the Wells College Press (part of the Book Arts Center) published a book of her poems, Moja, written during her years at Wells.

In January, Jamila interned at the Frick Art Refernce Library in New York City under Don Swanson, the husband of a Wells alumna. Her primary goal was to learn book conservation techniques in order to prepare her for further study in the Wells Book Arts Center. This spring she worked on a book-length collection of prints by J.J. Lankes — a former Well faculty member who illustrated Robert Frost’s poems.

Jamila is also sharpening her skills because she has been offered a full-time summer position at the Frick. A native of Far Rockaway, New York, Jamila graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School.
 

Samantha (Sam) Spindler '01

Sam, of Voluntown, Connecticut, values the close-knit Wells community where free expression and respect for diversity are encouraged. “I can walk around in my pajamas. There is no pressure for fashion; there is no need for facades — Wells is genuine,” she says.

She is a foreign languages, literatures, and cultures major who enjoys connecting her studies to other disciplines and campus life. “When a student comes to Wells, she doesn’t leave with only a knowledge of her major. Because of the spectrum of general requirements, she becomes well rounded and more open minded.” Sam has also taken advantage of off-campus options and studied in Paris.

“Wells has helped me to grow as a person and see that there is so much more out there — and it’s all possible.”

Her campus activities include theatrical productions and programming board: “To organize events for the enjoyment of other students is an awesome achievement.” She is a graduate of Griswold Junior-Senior High School.
 

Maryann Keene '00

Biological and chemical sciences majors Maryann Keene '00 of Honeoye, New York, and Karina Conkrite '02 of McGraw, New York, gained hands-on scientific experience interning with Dr. John Baldwin, a leading figure in physical organic chemistry.

The results were positive for both the interns and science: Maryann made a novel compound - one never seen before by chemists. Karina produced a known reaction much more successfully than it has been done in the past. The scientific work done by these two Wells students is so significant the results will be published.
 

Danielle Sullivan '00

"I would not be who I am today without a Wells education," says Danielle, of Oswego, New York. A public affairs major who minored in philosophy, she began working in the New York State Assembly shortly after graduation last spring.

Reflecting on the changes she has seen in herself during the last four years, Danielle says, "I am more independent, and I have more self-confidence. I was able to grow a lot at Wells. Now I am ready to conquer the real world."

She wanted to gain everything she could from her college experience and participated in many campus activities. Her leadership skills were honed by serving as president of her class for four years and as a resident adviser for two years. Wells students elected her Collegiate trustee, and she now serves on the Wells College Board of Trustees.

Danielle pursued her musical interests by becoming a member of Whirligigs (vocal group), Wells Consort (early music group), and Piutti Jazz Band.
 

Leticia (TJ) Hernandez '00

Junior TJ Hernandez, shown here on the right, is a student who represents the ideal of the scholar/athlete at Wells. Her accomplishments on the playing field illustrate why Wells' athletic teams are generating so much excitement on and off campus. An English major with a concentration in literature, TJ is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Athlete Award. She was voted Most Valuable Player on Offense for lacrosse three years in a row. She was selected for the Atlantic Women's Colleges All Conference Team for lacrosse for three years, including 1999. She is tied for second place on Wells' all-time high scoring list with 106 points. She is tied for 18th place in scoring statewide with a 3.2 points per game average in three seasons and 35 games in the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association conference. TJ also teaches leadership to young women who participate the college's summer leadership camps.
 

Rebecca Good '99

During her junior year, Rebecca traveled to London for a semester to participate in a program sponsored by Wells and the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN). She studied at the London School of Economics and interned as a researcher for a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. She also held Wells internships in the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office (Pittsburgh) and with a private attorney. As a public affairs major with a concentration in government, she became involved in undergraduate research and presented her findings at a national conference. She analyzed Three Strikes and You're Out (TSYO) laws as a result of earlier work she had done on states adopting the death penalty. Rebecca's involvement in the campus community also contributed to her development as a leader. She successfully ran for and was elected student government president. She also found time to play on the soccer team for two years and serve as secretary to Kastalia - the college's drama club. Rebecca was accepted by several different law schools and is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh Law School.
 

JoAnne L. Johnson '99

A biological and chemical sciences major, JoAnne conducted research on how abuse of pets can cause eating, drinking, and other behavioral disorders and how pet owners can work with previously abused animals to improve the quality of their lives. In addition to working with faculty members, she was able to gather information through two Wells internships at animal hospitals. JoAnne shares this research through different channels, including the Internet, and is frequently contacted by rescue organizations, veterinarians, and animal rights groups for her expertise. She is not only a scholar but an athlete and received the prestigious Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award from the Atlantic Women's College Conference. Through a program of accelerated studies, JoAnne finished her Wells course work in three years and is currently attending Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
 

Shelly Larson '99

Shelly came to Wells from Olympia, Washington. She chose the college because she believes it is a place that gives women the opportunity to achieve their goals in a positive environment and because Wells students enjoy excellent placement in medical schools.

In high school, Shelly was active in the Japanese club, the international club, the horticulture club, and the Capital Area Youth Symphonies. She studied piano and violin for 11 years and is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Shelly is a psychology major with minors in both sociology and computer science. She is active on campus as a member of Collegiate (student government), hall council, elections board, and the health center committee. She is also active with Model United Nation and the tennis and lacrosse teams. Her internship and work experiences have been in pediatrics and hospital administration.
 

Tanzania Roach '99

As a sophomore, Tanzania thought environmental science would be her major; but a class in creative writing and study in the Wells College Book Arts Center convinced her to pursue a career combining writing, teaching, and publishing. She became an English major, and her senior thesis is a work of creative non-fiction. A Wells internship at Earth Day Resources in San Francisco called on her research and writing skills to produce the organization's newsletter. Tanzania also returned to her junior high school in Brooklyn, New York, to teach creative writing and book publishing during a January term. As the result of her knowledge of book binding learned at the Book Arts Center, she was selected to be the first Wells intern at the prestigious Frick Art Reference Library in New York City where, among other projects, she repaired a rare edition of Moby Dick.
 

Katherine Abold '98

During a summer internship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C., Kate Abold synthesized a new compound that might eventually lead to new treatments for malaria.

Kate majored in biological and chemical sciences with a concentration in chemistry at Wells. After the internship experience, she decided that medical research was what she wanted for a career.

A resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, Kate participated in many college activities. She played on the soccer, lacrosse, and swim teams during her years at Wells and served as captain of both the soccer and lacrosse teams. She was named to the Atlantic Women's College Conference (AWCC) All Conference Team for Soccer (1996-97) and the AWCC All Conference Team for Lacrosse (1997-98). This spring she was selected as the 1997-98 Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete by the AWCC.

Kate also received the 1998 John Wilson/Ralph Poole, Jr. Cup which is awarded to a member of the senior class who has made a distinguished contribution during her four years to the athletic program, and the 1998 Kay Maloney Scholar-Athlete Award from the college.
 

Ami Dudzinski '98

Ami Dudzinski, a native of Cicero, New York, says she chose Wells because it develops women leaders through small classes, individual attention from faculty, and broad experiential learning opportunities. At Wells, she majored in mathematical and physical sciences and minored in biology.

She served as president of concert choir, a violinist in the chamber orchestra, an admissions ambassador, and a math teaching assistant. As editor of Wells' yearbook, The Cardinal, she put together an impressive collection of archival photos to commemorate the 100th anniversary issue. She is the 1998 recipient of the Koch Prize, awarded for the college's best senior research project.

Ami attended the Foundations for Student Communications Entrepreneurship Conference in New York City in November 1996. Through Wells' internship program, she has worked at the Onondaga County Health Department and the Trammell Crow Company.

She received job offers from Coopers & Lybrand Government Consulting in Washington, D.C., where she interned this past January; Sabre Technology, Burlington, Massachusetts; and Primix Solutions, Watertown, Massachusetts. Ami accepted the offer from Primix as an associate solutions engineer and began her new job on July 6.