The Registrar's office staff communicates 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 in the circle outside the front of Macmillan Hall. No tickets are required, 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.
Information regarding class rings is available on the Jostens website. Prices vary.
Information related to on-campus dining options will be available closer to the ceremony.
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.
Order Wells College diplomas frames from Church Hill Classics.
In case of emergency, dial 911 or contact Campus Safety at 315.364.3229.
2020: Saturday, May 16, 2020
2021: Saturday, May 22, 2021
2022: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Students can order personalized graduation announcements from the Jostens website.
Limited on-campus housing for families and their guests will be available for the Thursday and Friday nights prior to Commencement. Housing can be reserved for a nominal fee on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and a reservation form will be be posted here in early spring 2019; please check back.
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 and Marketing 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, 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. A print will be mailed within two to three weeks to the address provided by the graduate. If you do not receive your print by mid-June, please contact the Office of Alumnae and Alumni Engagement at 315.364.3200 or alumoffice@wells.edu.
Professional portraits are available by appointment. More details and an order form will be posted here soon.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Schwartz Athletic Center. No tickets will be required.
There will be a mandatory rehearsal for seniors participating in Commencement on Friday, May 17, 2019 at a date and location to be announced. Students should check their Wells email before leaving for rehearsal for any additional information.
Rebecca Haag '74 has been selected to give the main address at the 2019 Commencement ceremony. Rebecca, a social policy expert and a passionate advocate for social justice, is currently executive director at Island Grown Initiative, a nonprofit organization focused on creating a regenerative and equity food system on Martha's Vineyard. Follow this link to read the full announcement.
Traditional senior rides in the Wells Fargo stagecoaches will begin at 7:00 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 and Ithaca airports and bus stations is available for families and guests staying in on-campus housing on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, 2019. Shuttles are available to pick up friends and families of graduates at noon and 5:00 p.m. both days. On Saturday, May 18, shuttles will depart from the Wells College campus at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for the Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca airports and bus stations. Should you wish to make a shuttle reservation, please call Raymond Lupo at 315.364.3321 or email transportation@wells.edu. Deadline for reservations is Friday, May 10, 2019.
Reserved seating is available for guests with limited mobility or other special needs. Ushers will direct guests to the reserved seating.
