Minerva Lives - in all of us
The Wells Welcome Weekend created for our alums by the administration and staff of Hobart and William Smith Colleges was truly outstanding. You may see some of it linked below.
The HWS administration and staff were thoughtful, considerate and compassionate, interested in listening and willing to answer questions. About 170 Wells alums attended. President Gearan spoke to our hearts in his comments at the dedication of the new Wells Green, which included the planting of a substantial sycamore tree. We saw a beautifully restored Minerva, honored and safely housed in a lovely, sunny art gallery. We enjoyed a carefully curated exhibit of historical photos, and were able to print “Minerva Lives” posters at the Book Arts Center. The Classes of ‘75 and ‘76 shared special a 50th Reunion event at the President’s home. And Wells alums from as early as 1965 through 2026 visited together, sharing meals and memories.
Watch a portion of the Wells Green Dedication with Alumni/ae Affairs Director Melanie Sage, President Mark Gearan, Marilyn Uhnak ’01, and Mary Kay Pastore Cryan ’85 on Youtube, with thanks to HWS.
HWS committed a lot of thought, time, energy and financial resources to this meaningful event. If we want to expand and continue the sucess of this initial endeavor, our help will be needed. You can submit the WCA Volunteer Form, and also donate to HWS. (We hope there might be an option available soon to make gifts in support of the entire Wells legacy at HWS: Archives, Book Arts, Artifacts, Alumnai/ae support, etc.)
Please remember: had it not been for the fierce outcry of alums from outside of the WCA leadership, Manhattanville U. would have remained our designated Legacy Partner. We believe that HWS President Mark Gearan heard us when officers of the Wells Legacy Society met with him in August of 2024, as we began our “Say NO to M’ville” petition following our attorneys’ letters protesting that wholly inappropriate selection. Thank you, WLS supporters, for helping to bring us this far.
