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Life at HWS

Life at HWS

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It’s Going to be Fun,
by the Way.

Imagine spending four years surrounded by Statesmen and Herons (that’s what we call ourselves here) — the fun, smart, inspiring people who will be your adoptive family and constant companions.

Lake Effects

Continue your voyage on the longest and the deepest of the Finger Lakes with stupidly beautiful views.

Flex your acting chops at the stunning Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Join The Executives hip-hop dance team. Learn fly fishing. Because, why not? Step beyond your own experience through events at the IC (our beloved Center for Intercultural Affairs).

Where there’s more opportunity in any given day than you’d ever be able to grab, but where you also can’t go wrong.

The Colleges are a place where classmates have your back and cheer you on. Where competition is reserved for the court or playing field (or lake, if you are water-inclined). Where the teams are really good (have you heard of Ali Marpet?) and the fans are really loud (have you heard of earplugs?).

Where there’s more opportunity in any given day than you’d ever be able to grab, but where you also can’t go wrong. Because all of it is interesting. (And all of it is here for you.)

Whoever you are and whatever your path, you’re always in sight of our beautiful lake — the perfect complement to the excitement on the shore and a constant reminder of your inspiring horizons and endless potential.

HWS Offers

  • 90+ student-run clubs and organizations
  • On-campus centers for cultural support and exploration
  • 23 varsity teams with plans for 35 and dozens of intramural sports
  • A thriving, residential community where students live on campus all four years
  • A lakefront campus with stupidly beautiful views

Don’t be fooled by our bucolic setting. There’s never a dull moment at HWS.

  • events

    Through May 22, 2022 Student Exhibition

    The Davis Gallery at Houghton House presents the work of students offering a high level of creativity, critical engagement and technical accomplishment.

    Visit the Davis Gallery

  • June 3-5, 2022 IRA Championships

    The Hobart rowing team will compete in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship in Windsor, N.J.

    Details

  • Sunday, May 22, 2022 10 a.m. Commencement 2022

    Bagpipes and customary fanfare will kick off Commencement 2022 highlighted by Epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Beyrer ’81.

    Watch the Livestream

  • Aug. 18-21, 2022 New Student Orientation

    The Classes of 2026 arrive on campus for four days of activities to get acquainted to new friends and places.

    Orientation 2022
  • events

    May 23-June 10, 2022 Maymester

    Courses in the arts, economics, environmental studies, history, psychology and more are offered this spring.

    Learn More
  • DOS

    Aug. 20, 2022 First Year Day of Service

    HWS students show their commitment to the community on their first weekend in Geneva.

    Giving Back to Geneva
One Campus
Many Paths

With Many Paths

We mean that figuratively, of course, and also very literally.

Here are just a few of the trails our students are blazing.

  • Club News We Mean Epic

    Fall 2021 marked another epic semester for HWS Debate. The team participated in eight debate competitions and defeated rival varsity teams from Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Cornell and Oxford universities.

    HWS Debate’s Epic Fall Semester

  • Graduates CLASSES OF 2022 OUTCOMES

    Check out the post-grad plans for the Classes of 2022.

    2022 OUTCOMES

  • Research News Math Gurus

    Summer Research students win national recognition from the Mathematical Association of America.

    Mathematics Research Students Win Awards

Your Success is Our Priority

The faculty, administration and students of HWS take an all-hands-on-deck, community-based approach to advising, mentoring, tutoring, applauding and supporting each other. Because we’re at our best when all of us are thriving and everyone has a place to belong.

  • Campus life

    Connect with all the resources needed to live in community with peers, learn from world-class faculty, and engage with staff ready to help in your transition.

    Find your resources

  • Campus housing

    Enjoy life in a warm and welcoming, busy and electric 100%-residential campus community.

    Find your place

  • Activities and Organizations

    Join or lead one (or more) of our 90+ student-run clubs and organizations—or start a new one.

    Find your people

  • Athletics

    Compete on one of our 23 NCAA teams (men’s lacrosse is Division I; the rest are Division III). Twelve more sports are being added over the next few years.

    Find Your Fans

  • Intercultural Affairs

    Contribute to initiatives and dialogues that build belonging, celebrate diversity and expand social justice.

    Find Your Family

  • Recreation

    Stay fit and balanced by choosing among an array of activities, fitness classes, intramural sports and campus events. And go jump in the lake!

    Find your bliss

  • Dining

    Choose among a variety of healthy, delicious, on-campus dining options—including the Cellar Pub and Au Bon Pain.

    Find your dinner

  • Sustainability

    Drawing clean energy from 20 acres of solar panels, the Colleges are on track to meet a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025.

    Find your future

  • First Generation Initiative

    First in your family to attend college? You’ll have a network of mentors and resources to guide you (and your family) through every step of your HWS journey.

    Find your footing

  • LGBTQ+ Resource Center

    Build community in an environment that values and affirms the identities of LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff while also creating opportunities for allyship.

    Find Your Pride

  • Counseling Center

    Whether it’s a class to reduce anxiety or stress, or a one-on-one counseling session, a network of peers and professionals are ready to support your journey.

    Find Your Support

  • Spiritual Engagement

    Celebrate and learn more about your religion and the faith traditions of those around you.

    Find Your Faith

  • Mindfulness

    Blend your coursework and co-curricular activities with your mindfulness practice.

    Find Your Zen

  • Hubbs Health Center

    Urgent care, reproductive health and psychiatric services are available to keep your health on track.

    Find Your Care