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Amid anger and sadness over the college's decision to close after the spring semester, 73 graduates were celebrated at the school's 156th and final commencement Saturday. 

The class overcame obstacles, from beginning their collegiate careers during a global pandemic to completing their studies after the closure announcement. Despite those challenges, students who spoke at the ceremony say they developed connections with their classmates. 

Kayla Groth, one of five members of the class of 2024 who were selected to speak at commencement, recalled a defining moment early in her Wells career. She was living in Dodge South, one of the college's residence halls, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her roommate had moved out, leaving her alone. 

One night, there was a knock at her door. It was a group of students encouraging others, including Groth, to meet up and engage in conversations, despite the pandemic that was wreaking havoc on the outside. 

"You gave me and gave each other a safe space in a time of uncertainty," she said. 

For some students, those connections extended beyond the campus. 

During her time at Wells, Isabella Ciancio joined the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department. She usually interacted with other students who volunteered, but that changed when she responded to a brush fire call — she was the only student on the crew that day. When they arrived at the scene, she was handed the hose to extinguish the blaze. 

Ciancio was terrified, but with the help of other firefighters and more than a truckload of water, they put out the fire. 

"I'm grateful to have been a part of their team," she said. 

With the reflections, though, came an acknowledgment — that this is the last class at Wells College. 

The school faced declining enrollment and financial difficulties over the years. It nearly closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but enough funding was secured to hold classes in the 2020-21 academic year — the first for this graduating class.

Outside funding helped keep the college afloat for a few more years. But the school's board of trustees determined it "does not have adequate financial resources to continue," according to the April 29 closure announcement. 

Much of the anger over the decision has been directed at Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter, who attended commencement but did not play a large role in the ceremony. In brief remarks before graduates were presented their degrees, he encouraged the class of 2024 to remain connected to other Wells alumni and called working with the faculty and staff "my greatest privilege." 

After Wells College was founded in 1868, the first commencement was held the following year. Historical records show there were two graduates — Jeannette Daggett and Emily Millikin. 

On Saturday, Naijely Ilanis Garcia was cheered as she was the final graduate to be recognized at a Wells College commencement ceremony. 

Lauren Spiegel, another of the graduate commencement speakers, shared a quote: "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." She considers Wells College her home, the class of 2024 as her family and credited professors for her growth over the last four years.

"Wells College will forever be in our hearts and it's up to us as the last graduating class to carry on this legacy," Spiegel said.