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 in the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Athletic Wing of the Schwartz Athletic Center. 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. 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.
Order Wells College diplomas frames from Church Hill Classics.
In case of emergency, contact Campus Safety at 315.364.3229.
2019: Saturday, May 18, 2019
2020: Saturday, May 16, 2020
Students can order personalized graduation announcements from the Jostens website.
Commencement housing will be offered in Leach House for one (Friday) or two (Thursday & Friday) nights before Commencement on a first come, first serve basis. Click or tap to reserve a room. Please note that single rooms have sold out; double rooms are still available.
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, 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.
Professional portraits are available by appointment. Click or tap for the reservation and order form (pdf).
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Schwartz Athletic Center. No tickets will be required.
Mandatory rehearsal for seniors participating in Commencement is held on Friday, May 18, at 1:00 p.m. in the Schwartz Athletic Center. Students should check their Wells email before leaving for rehearsal for any additional information.
Christin Schaaf '99, senior global learning consultant at Cargill, will give the Commencement address. Schaaf works with partners across the globe, providing advice, learning design and development expertise. She earned the College’s 2017 Young Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement.
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, or Ithaca airports and bus stations is available on Thursday, May 17, and Friday May, 18. Shuttles are available to pick up friends and families of graduates at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. On Saturday, May 19, 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 11.
Reserved seating is available for guests with wheelchairs and special needs. Ushers will direct guests to the reserved seating.
