Wells College
Former names | Wells Seminary (1868–1870) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Habere et Dispertire |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Active | 1868–2024 |
| Endowment | $24 million |
| President | Susan Henking |
| Location | , , United States 42°44′43″N 76°41′53″W / 42.7452°N 76.6980°W |
| Campus | Rural 301 acres (1.22 km2) |
| Colors | (Scarlet and white) |
| Nickname | The Express |
| Website | wells.edu |
Wells College was a private liberal arts college in Aurora, New York, a village in the Finger Lakes region of the state. From its founding in 1868 until it became coeducational in 2005, Wells was a women's college. The college maintained academic exchange partnerships with other colleges and universities, and its campus, set on the shore of Cayuga Lake, remains a part of the Aurora Village–Wells College Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Henry Wells, a co-founder of both Wells Fargo & Company and American Express Company, established Wells College in 1868 as Wells Seminary. Wells rejected an offer from Ezra Cornell to merge their two newly-established colleges, with Wells stating that the promotion of higher education for women was his life's dream. After operating for over 150 years, in 2024, it was announced that the college would be closing at the end of the spring semester. It ceased operations effective June 30, 2024, with administrators citing financial challenges. The closure process was expected to continue through the end of 2024. In 2025, Hobart and William Smith Colleges were announced as Wells' legacy partner, who will maintain the closed college's records and endowment.