Noted human rights advocate is Wells College commencement speaker

Gwendolyn Webber-McLeod, former executive director of the National Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of the New York State Governor's Award for African-Americans of Distinction, will give the Commencement address at Wells College on Saturday, May 27. The ceremony will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of Macmillan Hall on the Wells campus.

Webber-McLeod is a respected expert on communication, leadership development, and helping organizations value diversity. She is a frequently sought-after public speaker who takes great pride in using this skill to advocate for the positive development of women and girls.

In addition to her work with the National Women's Hall of Fame, she has served as communications/development director of the Seven Lakes Girl Scout Council and as director of Auburn's Booker T. Washington Community Center.

She is a partner in Treble Associates, a women-owned marketing, special events, and professional development firm located in Auburn, New York, where she manages Creating Respectful Workplace Environments (CReWE), the organization's workplace development division. CReWE services and programs are designed to enhance the workplace by focusing on the significant role positive internal/interpersonal relationships play in achieving business and organizational goals. She is also currently special assistant to President Lisa Marsh Ryerson at Wells College.

Among other numerous honors, she received an "Unsung Heroine Award" presented by the Central New York N.O.W. Chapter in recognition of her work with women and girls. The Syracuse Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presented her with the Marjorie Dowdell Fortitude Award, and she was named a Woman of Excellence by the Seven Lakes Girl Scout Council.

Webber-McLeod is a member of the board of trustees of the SUNY Potsdam College Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Rochester/Syracuse, and a founding mother of the Friends of Women's Rights National Historical Park. She is the second woman to chair the Chamber of Commerce of Cayuga County Board of Directors.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from SUNY Potsdam, where she was a cum laude graduate in 1978.

May, 2000

Looking at colleges? Try an e-visit to Wells

In a time when e-commerce is the new frontier for entrepreneurs, a small women's college in the heart of the Finger Lakes region has found a unique, e-solution for students involved in the college search. Wells, a top national liberal arts college for women, is one of the first colleges to offer e-visits.

Students and their families interested in learning more about Wells are invited to participate in a free, interactive, on-line open house on Tuesday, May 23 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. (EST). A second session will run from 9:00 to 10: 00 p.m. If you would like to participate, you may register here, or hit the Wells Open House registration icon on the top page of Wells' website www.wells.edu, or call 1.800.952.9355.

"The virtual open house provides prospective students with a tour of campus and a chance to meet our alumnae and students," said Wells' Director of Admissions Susan Sloan. "We expect that once college-bound students learn about the Wells community, they will want to schedule an on-campus visit."

The program includes live chats, audio clips, and a host of photographs and graphic images, including performances by student musical groups. Wells is one of only a few colleges in the nation offering this kind of high-tech experience.

According to Wells' Dean of Students Susan Ryan, "From a one-on-one discussion with a student participating in an internship, to hearing from a faculty member how experiential learning is integrated with classroom work, an e-visit helps students make informed choices about college."

May, 2000

Wells Students to Conduct Survey

Wells students enrolled in the sociology course "Research Methods" will this April conduct a survey on the sex education program offered in the Auburn Enlarged City School District. During the week of April 8 - 15, teams of students will go door to door in Auburn neighborhoods collecting data for their study.

The survey will measure Auburn citizens' attitudes and feelings on what and how local children are taught about sex education in school. Topics such as contraception and abortion, parenting, and sexually transmitted diseases will be included in the study.

"This is an empirical research project chosen by the students," explained Wells sociology professor Leslie Miller-Bernal. "A key part of the survey is the inclusion of the twelve topics outlined by SIECUS." SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, developed guidelines in 1991 to assist schools in incorporating meaningful sex education programs into their curriculum.

Results from the survey will be shared with the Auburn Enlarged City School District.

March, 2000

Wells distinguished alumna honored

One of Wells College's distinguished alumnae is receiving new recognition this week in the legislative halls in Albany.

Mary Catherine "Kitty" Van Bortel, who received the Bachelor of Science degree from Wells College in 1976, is among an "inaugural class" of 14 graduates from some of New York's independent colleges and universities who have been selected for the Independent Sector's Alumni Hall of Distinction. Ms. Van Bortel, an entrepreneur from the Rochester area, is president and owner of the country's top-selling Subaru dealership. Van Bortel Subaru, located in Victor, New York, was founded by Ms. Van Bortel in 1985 with one car and $500. The company has grown to 35 employees and was ranked #11 in Rochester’s list of Top 100 Companies in 1999. In addition, Ms. Van Bortel has twice been selected by Working Woman magazine for inclusion in its roster of outstanding working women.

"This means of recognizing outstanding service, personally and professionally, to their respective communities and to the quality of life in our state, was established to focus attention on our stellar alumni and their contributions to New York," said James C. Ross, president of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), which is sponsoring the recognition. The graduates were nominated for the distinction by their alma maters.

Lisa Marsh Ryerson, president of Wells College, said "I am delighted that Kitty has been selected as the first alumna to represent Wells in the Alumni Hall of Distinction. Her bold initiative and strong leadership skills are qualities we strive to instill in our students." Ryerson, also an alumna of Wells College, serves on the board of the Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities.

Other honorees included Daniel A. Carp, President, Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester Institute of Technology); The Honorable Rudolph Guiliani, Mayor of the City of New York (Manhattan College); The Honorable Judith Smith Kaye, Chief Judge of the State of New York (Barnard College and New York University Law School); and Leslie C. Quick III, President, Fleet Securities (St. Bonaventure University).

Nominees were inducted into the CICU’s Alumni Hall of Distinction at a special dinner held in Albany on March 6.

March, 2000

Wells College holds virtual open house

A top national liberal arts college for women, noted for the beauty of its campus, has moved to cyberspace - creating an exciting opportunity for students involved in the college search.

Students and their families interested in attending Wells were invited to participate in a free, interactive, on-line open house sponsored by the college's Office of Admissions. The event took place on Tuesday, February 1, 2000 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

"Visiting Wells in cyberspace is just as exciting and informative as a campus visit, although we highly recommend a real campus visit too," said Susan Sloan, Wells' director of admissions. "Participants will have the opportunity to explore the exciting academic and co-curricular programs of the college and meet members of our community."

The program included live chats with professors, audio clips, and a host of photographs and graphic images, including performances by student musical groups. Wells is one of only a few colleges in the nation offering this kind of high-tech experience, according to Sloan.

Wells was assisted in the creation of this event by Axiom Corporation of Rochester, New York.

January, 2000

Wells receives $3 million bequest

A bequest of $3 million - one of the largest gifts in the college's history - is designated to support the Wells biology department, according to Arthur J. Bellinzoni, Wells' director of planned and leadership giving.

The bequest was made by Dr. Ruth Barnhart of Roanoke, Virginia. Bellinzoni said the gift comes as a total surprise. "She was a very loyal and steady supporter of Wells for many years, but her gifts were always very conservative. We had no knowledge that Wells was in her will, nor were there any other indications she was planning to make a gift of this size to the college," he said.

Dr. Barnhart has the distinction of being remembered as the first woman physician in the city of Roanoke. She dedicated her life to pediatrics and was known for dispensing no-nonsense advice along with first-rate care. She graduated from Wells in 1923 with majors in French and history and subsequently received her medical degree from Cornell University.

This gift is particularly fortuitous for Wells because in January of 1999, the college's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to build a new science facility at the cost of $17.3 million. Included in this sum is an endowment for perpetual maintenance of the structure. "Dr. Barnhart's gift will serve as endowment for the biology program, which will be housed in the new facility, and will finance the purchase of science equipment," said Bellinzoni.

January, 2000

Wells College and Eric Mower and Associates communications partnership receives awards

The Wells College/Eric Mower and Associates communications partnership swept the annual Central New York Public Relations Society of America's Silver Shaker Awards ceremony in Syracuse, New York, on Tuesday, November 9.

• Wells/EMA were given a "Best of Show" award for the recruitment campaign announcing the 30% tuition reduction.
• Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson won the "Communications Advocate Award," which recognizes the CEO who best supports the public relations function in the workplace. In the citation, she was praised for her commitment to an integrated strategic communications plan and enthusiasm for open communication with key audiences.
• The Wells website, redesigned by EMA, was awarded a Bronze Shaker.
• The research project conducted to provide information for institutional planning received a Bronze Shaker.

November, 1999

National radio broadcast and webcast from Wells spotlights women entrepreneurs

Listen to an archived copy of the broadcast/Webcast from Wells

Read more details about the broadcast/Webcast from Wells

The national radio show, Entrepreneurs! Living The American Dream hosted by Richard Tavener, broadcast/webcast live from Wells College on Friday evening, October 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Smith Hall's Sommer Student Center.

At Wells, Tavener interviewed guests including Lisa Marsh Ryerson, the college's president, and Wells alumna Kitty Van Bortel of Rochester, New York, owner of the top-selling Subaru dealership in the state. The show was two hours live, followed by a one-hour live webchat.

The Entrepreneurs! Living the American Dream crew is on the road for 100 days visiting 46 cities - counting down each day to the end of the century. Their goal is to document and celebrate the state of entrepreneurship in the United States through live, daily interviews with entrepreneurs in a multitude of fields.

Universities and colleges with innovative programs that encourage students to learn about entrepreneurship have also been selected as stops on the tour. "Wells is known for its experiential learning programs and has many successful alumnae entrepreneurs," said Faith Rossi, the show's producer." This is an ideal location to focus specifically on women entrepreneurs and how higher education can support them."

CNN plans to join the tour in several cities to broadcast their Entrepreneurs Only television show in conjunction with Tavener's show.

The Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, is the primary sponsor of the tour. With their goal clearly stated: "To accelerate entrepreneurship in America," The Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is one of the largest and most active foundations focused exclusively on entrepreneurship.

Other sponsors of the tour include Apple Computer, Visa USA, AllBusiness.com, and Investors Business Daily.

Entrepreneurs! Living The American Dream is produced by YES! and is distributed on national radio by the Radio America Network and webcast on the Internet through www.broadcast.com. Central New York listeners could listen to the webcast by visiting www.sayyes.com

October, 1999

Study finds Wells is among 13 Central New York private colleges and universities that generate $5.1 billion in economic activity

Thirteen private colleges and universities in the 16 counties of Central New York generate $5.1 billion in economic activity each year, according to a new study by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU).

The study included Cazenovia, Elmira, Hamilton, Hartwick, Ithaca, Le Moyne, New York Chiropractic, Utica, and Wells Colleges, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, and Colgate, Cornell, and Syracuse Universities. Their 19,734 employees earn salaries of $652 million; and for their 51,300 students, they annually spend $912 million on instruction, student services, and financial aid. Statewide, the annual economic impact of the 100+ independent colleges and universities is $36.4 billion, exclusive of construction employment. ( For additional details, visit www.cicu.org/economic_impact.html.)

"Independent higher education is an important New York industry. We employ137,000 New Yorkers commanding a payroll of $4.6 billion annually," said James C. Ross, president of CICU. "What's more, our private colleges and universities fuel other businesses and industry in the state by providing the highly educated work force so vital to New York's competitiveness."

The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) represents New York's 100+ independent (private, not-for-profit) colleges and universities on issues of public policy. Member colleges compose the largest private sector of higher education in the world and enroll more than 400,000 students, including 300,000 New York State residents.

Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson said, "I am pleased to be an active member of CICU. My colleagues and I know these institutions are necessary in shaping a prosperous future for New York. Faculty, staff, and students at area colleges are eager to connect in new ways with the communities around them."

The study analyzes the most recent available data from the State Education Department, adjusted to the current year. Economic impact was projected using a multiplier of 2.5 to account for dollars spent and re-spent in the economy.

October, 1999

Wells names vice president for external relations

Former Alfred University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges administrator Ann Schmidt Rollo is Wells College's new vice president for external relations, according to Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson.

Rollo brings with her extensive experience in the areas of college and university fundraising, volunteer management, staff development, communications, and community relations. In her new position, she serves as a member of the senior administration and oversees the college's alumnae affairs, development, and public relations offices.

"It is my great pleasure to welcome Ann Rollo to Wells," said Ryerson. "She is a dynamic leader with a depth of experience that will greatly enrich our campus community. As a William Smith College graduate, she has personalknowledge of the power of women's education."

Before joining the Wells administration, Rollo served as director of annual and special gifts at Alfred University where she played a significant role in that institution's comprehensive campaign. During her tenure, shecreated a Baccalaureate Scholarship Program, an alumni luncheon series in NewYork City connecting younger and established professionals, and a President's Weekend Program bringing together faculty members and major giving prospects in support of campus priorities.

Rollo began her higher education career at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she held several administrative positions, most recently director of annual support. She also served as director of parentprograms and was involved in community relations activities to build Geneva Scholarship Associates.

"Wells' recent successes are impressive, and I am pleased to join an institution with the respect and sense of momentum that this college enjoys," said Rollo. "I have a strong belief in the importance of women's colleges and their positive message. Being given the opportunity to lend my support to this unique community is indeed an honor."

She earned her bachelor of arts degree from William Smith College with a major in political science and a minor in economics. As a student, she was a Geneva Scholarship Associates Scholar and the recipient of the Harriett Janet Smith Memorial Scholarship.

Her community service affiliations include the Prattsburgh Community Historical Society, Geneva Red Cross, and Geneva Generals Youth Hockey, among many others. She and her family have recently moved from Prattsburgh and are now members of the Aurora community.

September 1999

Wells completes Littlefield Challenge

Students at Wells this fall have more opportunities than ever before to use technology in the learning process, thanks to the completion of the Littlefield Challenge - the most successful fundraising effort for technology in the history of the college.

In 1997, Burlingame, California, residents Mr. Edmund and Mrs. Jeannik Mequet Littlefield '41 pledged $1.2 million to help upgrade and expandtechnology on campus over a three year period. In order to receive the $400,000 annual gift, Wells was asked to raise matching funds.

As of June 30, 1999, alumnae and friends of the college met the challenge. A total of 1,744 gifts (including the Littlefield pledge) generated over $2.4million which has contributed directly to the improvement of thecurriculum through information technology. The following list presents the highlights of advancements at Wells during the years of the Littlefield Challenge:

• The college networked academic buildings and residence halls for Internet access. Students and faculty members have access to top-level computersand software.
• Louis Jefferson Long library received the wiring and software needed to provide students and faculty with full access to any type of multimediadata available from anywhere in the world.
• A social sciences computer lab was created in Macmillan Hall which enables students to use sophisticated statistical software as well as editdigital video and photography for documentary research.
• A digital imaging classroom was created in Morgan Hall where students are learning computer video editing, digital photography, andcomputer-assisted, three-dimensional design.
• The renovation of historic Weld Residence Hall also included technological innovation. Weld was the first residence hall on campus to have computer network connections in every room. The first floor now hastwo, state-of-the-art computer labs (one Mac and one IBM). The entire building is cabled for access to information technology including e-mail and the Internet.
• New computer/video projection systems were installed in Cleveland Hall, Zabriskie Hall, and the social sciences lab. Wells now has a total of 11computer projection systems.
• Wells is exceptionally rich in the number of computers available for student use; the student/computer ratio is 3/1. More and more faculty areusing technology in teaching, giving students the chance to create webpages, construct sophisticated simulations to test theories, and use digital images in the art studio and theatre.

Among the highlights:

• The Class of 1957 funded a computer lab in Weld House for their 40th Reunion gift.
• The Class of 1972 equipped the Resource Room in Louis Jefferson Long Library with computers for their 25th Reunion.
• The Class of 1949 completed the challenge by making a gift of $125,000 for their 50th Reunion.
• In addition to the generosity of alumnae and friends, corporate support was provided by Hewlett Packard, IBM, Xerox Corporation, and the EarlKnudsen Foundation.

September 1999

Wells College names director of corporate and foundation relations

In July, Michelle H. Landers will become Wells College's new director of corporate and foundation relations, according to vice president for external relations Ann Rollo. Landers brings with her experience in the areas of grant proposal writing, outside funding research, curricular design, and developing fundraising strategies.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Michelle Landers to Wells," said Rollo. "I am impressed with her wide range of experience and am confident that Michelle will provide strong leadership and generate results as we work to enhance our corporate and foundation relations program." 

Before coming to Wells, Landers served as director of grants and special programs at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. There, she was responsible for finding outside funding sources, developing faculty and staff proposal writing skills, and developing and implementing funding strategies for many initiatives, including an interdisciplinary ambulatory clinical clerkship. Prior to her Rochester appointment, Landers was the executive director of the San Joaquin AIDS Foundation in Stockton, CA. She has also held teaching positions at the University of Rochester and San Joaquin Delta College.

She earned her bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from Colgate University with majors in sociology/anthropology and English. As an undergraduate, she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Landers went on to receive her masters and doctorate degrees in socio-cultural anthropology from the University of Rochester, where she was the recipient of the Lewis Henry Morgan Graduate Fellowship. She has conducted research in Great Britain and Hungary. Landers is a member of several community and professional organizations, including the Society for Applied Anthropology and the Association of American Medical Colleges. 

"I look forward to becoming a part of the Wells community," said Landers. "The Wells faculty and staff with whom I met consistently expressed excitement and pride in the direction the college is going. I am eager to bring my own energy and experience to Wells, and to become a part of this enthusiastic team." 

July, 2000

Other Articles in Wells College News:

September, 2002	September, 2000. - May.,2001	May,1998	May - June,1997
August, 2002	September, 1999 - August, 2000	April,1998	March - April,1997
September, 2001. - May.,2002	August,1999	March,1998	February,1997
	May,1999	February,1998	November - December,1996
	April,1999	January,1998	October,1996
	February -March, 1999	December,1997	September,1996
	January,1999	November,1997	June - Aug.,1996
	Fall,1998	October,1997	May,1996
	August,1998	September,1997	April,1996
	June -July, 1998	July - August, 1997	February - March, 1996