The Registrar's Office staff has communicated throughout the year with students eligible to graduate regarding degree requirements. All requirements must be fulfilled to receive a diploma during the ceremony. Contact the Registrar's Office with any questions. 315.364.3215, registrar@wells.edu.
Student accounts must be paid in full in order to receive a diploma during the Commencement ceremony. Transcripts are also held until full payment is made. As a reminder students may check their account balance on the Globe.
All seniors wear the traditional black gown, black cap, and black tassel to the ceremony. Wells is one of the few colleges that still awards undergraduate hoods during the ceremony. The hood is included in the academic regalia.
The 10:00 a.m. ceremony will be held on the lawn and steps of Macmillan Hall. There is ample seating, no tickets are required for the outdoor ceremony, and seating cannot be reserved. Guests may begin being seated at 9:00 am. Please note ushers will not allow "early-birds" to save blocks of seats.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Schwartz Athletic Center. More information will be available as the ceremony approaches.
Information regarding class rings is available on the Jostens website and a Jostens representative will be at the College Store on Friday, May 19, from noon to 4 p.m. and on the day of Commencement from 9 a.m. to noon. Prices vary.
Information related to on-campus dining options will be available closer to the ceremony. Please also check the schedule of activities.
In addition, the Aurora Inn will be serving breakfast and brunch. Reservations for brunch are recommended and can be made by calling the Inn at 315.364.8888.
Diplomas frames are available at the College Store, 315.364.3261, collegestore@wells.edu.
In case of emergency, contact Campus Safety at 315.364.3229.
Students may order graduation announcements from the Jostens website.
Commencement housing is offered in Leach House for one (Friday only) or two (Thursday & Friday) nights before Commencement on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations and payment information can be found here. Please note that single rooms are extremely limited in availability.
Flowers will be available for purchase on campus the day of Commencement.
Check with Campus Safety for items lost or found during Commencement. Bellinzoni Building, 315.364.3229.
Members of the media are encouraged to contact the Office of Communications by emailing communications@wells.edu.
Cars may be parked in all of the residence hall parking lots and Woods Lot. In preparation for the stagecoach rides and ceremony location, parking will not be permitted on the Main or Macmillan Circles.
Pets are not welcome at the ceremony. Please do not bring your pet on campus or to any Commencement activity. Of course, service animals will be permitted.
Personal photography is permitted from designated areas during the ceremony. Ushers will direct guests to the appropriate locations. Guest activity should not interfere nor distract from the ceremony.
A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate receiving their diploma. Information on how these photos will be distributed will be available closer to the ceremony.
Professional portraits are available by appointment. Click here for the order and reservation form (pdf).
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Schwartz Athletic Center. Due to limited indoor seating, each graduate is provided with a number of tickets at Commencement rehearsal on Friday, May 19.
Mandatory rehearsal for seniors participating in Commencement is held on Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m. in front of Macmillan. In the case of inclement weather the rehearsal will be held in Schwartz Athletic Center. Students should check their Wells email before leaving for rehearsal for any change in location.
Traditional senior rides in the Wells Fargo Stagecoaches will begin at 7:30 a.m. in front of Main Building and will continue until 9:00 a.m. Time permitting, family members may ride the coaches after all seniors have enjoyed the traditional ride.
Airport and Bus Transportation
Shuttle service from the Rochester, Syracuse, or Ithaca airports and bus stations is available on Thursday, May 18, and Friday May, 19. Shuttles are available to pick up friends and families of graduates at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. On Saturday, May 21, shuttles will depart from Wells campus at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm for the Rochester, Syracuse, and Ithaca airports and bus stations. Should you wish to make a shuttle reservation, please call Alan Connors at 315.364.3321 or email transportation@wells.edu. Deadline for reservations is Friday, May 12.
Reserved seating is available for guests with wheelchairs and special needs. Ushers will direct guests to the reserved seating.
