Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

With the help of Wells employees and fellow students who already experienced a college closure, many of the undergraduates found new schools.Ìý

According to data provided by Wells College, 219 students transferred to other schools. This includes 152 students who are attending one of the 24 institutions that reached teach-out agreements with Wells.Ìý

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva welcomed 67 former Wells students for the fall 2024 semester — the most of any teach-out college or university. Nineteen transferred to Manhattanville University, which Wells named as its preferred teach-out partner.Ìý

Two other schools in the Finger Lakes region — Ithaca College (11) and Keuka College (10) — were among the most popular destinations for former Wells students.Ìý

Additionally, 67 students transferred to non-teach-out colleges or universities.Ìý

Henking, who spoke Tuesday at a presentation about the sale of Wells College campus, highlighted the college's work to ensure the affected students were able to continue their studies at another institution.Ìý

"The number one thing that's important when you close a college — there's only one that comes first — is the students," Henking said.Ìý

She praised Wells College employees — Linda Galbato, director of academic and career advising; Jeremy Kinsman, registrar and assistant vice president for academic and student affairs; Melanie Cullen, associate registrar; and Jackie Schnurr, the former dean of faculty — for assisting the affected students.Ìý

Henking also credited a group of students who transferred from Cazenovia College after it closed in 2023. Because they already experienced a closure, they emailed other students offering their help.Ìý

"That's a reminder of the generosity and the spirit of those undergraduates," Henking said.Ìý

Wells hosted college fairs and provided information about the teach-out institutions. The teach-out schools, Henking said, guaranteed students the same price and graduation time as Wells.Ìý

Overall, 85.6% of former Wells students continued their education at another institution. That is better than the usual return rate for Wells, according to Henking.Ìý

"It really does come down to the team that did the work," she added.Ìý