WELLS 2.0
We understand that reopening and revitalizing Wells is an enormous undertaking. For the moment we have to focus on the task at hand, which is to stop the permanent closure of the college, and to examine and understand the reasons that led to this abrupt and poorly planned decision. This does not mean that we have not eagerly envisioned what Wells 2.0 might look like.
The joke about Ithaca claims that the town is "centrally isolated." And then there is little Aurora further north. But while Aurora is small in size and population, it's big on beauty, and it's in a region that is rich in both natural and human history. These are ideas for possible summer institutes that could be developed into academic courses or integrated into existing programs of study. Summer institutes generate income when the campus sits idle, and generate interest and enthusiasm that can be an effective marketing and recruitment tool. And these are all local resources right on the college’s doorstep!
WOMEN’S HISTORY
Women’s history is a rich resource in the local area. Seneca Falls, site of the 1848 women’s rights convention, lies half an hour from Aurora. The Finger Lakes area is also home to several colleges that were historically women-only: Keuka College, Cazenovia College (for 20 years), and Elmira College. Cornell admitted women students in 1870, two years after opening. Imagine what undiscovered stories are in these institutions’ archives!
CAYUGA LAKE
What would Wells be without Cayuga Lake? Imagine what it could be if it made more effective use of this wonderful resource that’s right on its doorstep! The lake and the geological region that it is part of are living laboratories for multiple areas of scientific inquiry.
AMERICAN HISTORY
The village of Aurora and the surrounding area are rich in the history of native peoples, both before and during their contact with European populations. They are also part of the Military Tract of Central New York, settled by veterans of the American Revolution. Aurora was a port for shipping traffic both on the lake and as a stop in the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, and it was home to Cayuga Lake Academy, of which Millard Fillmore was a graduate.
SPORTS CAMPS
These programs are summer staples on many campuses. With such a beautiful setting, as well as the new Athletic Center, this is an opportunity that should be fully exploited. And it illustrates the truth of the old adage of “Show, don’t tell”: Rather than spending half a million dollars on consultants that tell you how great Wells is, have potential students come and actually experience life on campus!
VINICULTURE/VITICULTURE
The Finger Lakes region is home to almost 150 wineries. A summer studying wine as it goes from the vine to the vat to the bottle and then on to market would offer an enormous range of topics of investigation, as well as one of the best marketing tools possible.
BOOK ARTS CENTER
We know how successful the Book Arts Center has been. Success can and should be built upon!
These are just a few of the ideas we have discussed. This is the beginning of Wells 2.0. Let us know what you think, and about your ideas for programs that you’d like to see!
(Originally published 19 July 2024)