Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Legacy Agreement with Wells College

Following the closure of Wells College in 2024, on June 11, 2025, Wells College and Hobart and William Smith Colleges announced that they had created a legacy agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a legacy institution?
A legacy institution retains the student, employee and financial records of an institution that has closed. The preferred institution maintains, as agreed, the closed college’s material and cultural history. A legacy institution does not own the closed college’s charter nor does it own its physical campus. A legacy institution is not responsible for the closed institution’s financials. The legacy institution and the closed college remain two separate legal entities and the closed college is eventually legally dissolved. A legacy agreement is not a merger.

Why does Wells have to create a legacy agreement with another college?
Wells College is required by New York State educational guidelines to responsibly wind down its operations and steward its assets in a manner that honors its mission, ensuring that any remaining funds are appropriately allocated to higher education.

What constitutes the legacy agreement between Wells and HWS?
The legacy agreement includes the transfer of historical records, some artwork/artifacts and the endowment from Wells College, which has closed, to Hobart and William Smith. HWS will name the Wells Green at Houghton House, create a library installation honoring Wells’ legacy, adapt the Wells Books Arts Center to the HWS campus, facilitate alumni engagement for graduates of Wells, and intends to welcome Wells-affiliated candidates for service on the HWS Board of Trustees.

What happens to the Wells College endowment?
The Wells College endowment will be transferred to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Future fundraising and donor stewardship will reside at HWS. 

Will Hobart and William Smith take ownership of the Wells campus in Aurora?
No. The legacy agreement only pertains to the Wells College records, endowment and some historical materials. The campus will be sold by Wells to fulfill Wells’ financial and regulatory obligations related to the closure of the college. The international firm CBRE has been retained by Wells to manage the sale of the campus. For more information, please refer to their website.

Who from the Wells community will be appointed to the HWS Board of Trustees?
Two members of the Wells community – either alumni or those with an affiliation with Wells – will be considered by the Hobart and William Smith Board of Trustees for a four-year term on the Board. Selection will follow HWS’ normal vetting processes. Appointed Wells trustees will be eligible for election for subsequent term(s) pursuant to the HWS Board’s policies and Practices.

What is Wells Green?
A greened area at the Houghton House arts campus will be named Wells Green and a dedication ceremony is being planned.  

What happened to Manhattanville University as a legacy partner?
Leaders at Wells College determined that deeper connections with Manhattanville University would not be in the best interest of the college’s future. Manhattanville remains a trusted teach-out partner serving numerous former Wells students as well as operating the Wells study abroad program in Florence, Italy.

What is the status of the sale of the Wells Campus?
For information on the Wells campus sale please refer to their website.

How is the campus at Wells being maintained?
For information on the Wells campus sale please refer to their website. 

Who do former employees of Wells contact for employment verification?
Effective February 4, 2026, former Wells employees can contact HR@hws.edu. HWS will fulfill such requests.

Who do I contact for copies of my Wells transcripts?
As of February 2, 2026, HWS will be processing transcript requests and verifications of enrollment as the Legacy school for Wells. Transcripts will still be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse. You may request your transcript by clicking on the link below or by going to studentclearinghouse.org. If you have questions, please contact Clearinghouse Customer Service at (703) 742-4200 or transcripts@studentclearinghouse.org.The Registrar’s Office of Hobart and William Smith can be reached at registrar@hws.edu; 315-781-3651.

I lost my diploma - where can I get a new copy?
As of February 2, 2026 HWS will handle Wells diploma replacements. Contact registrar@hws.edu

What is the status of Minerva?
As of February, 2026 Minerva was transported to West Lake Art Conservation Center where she is being restored. When the process is complete, Minerva will be placed on the campus of Hobart and William Smith. Unfortunately, West Lake is not able to accommodate visitors during the restoration process.

What happened to Wells artifacts?
Parts of the Wells related archives were moved to HWS. They are in the process of being accessioned. Check the Wells website for additional information on artifacts.

Where are the archival materials related to Aurora?
For information on the Wells campus and related materials, please refer to their website.

What is the status of Wells Book Arts?
As part of the Legacy Agreement, Hobart and William Smith has brought the Book Arts program to the HWS campus.

What will happen to the Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA)?
Leaders of the WCA are working with the HWS Office of Advancement to create programming and events that bring Wells graduates together. Hobart and William Smith Colleges will announce details as appropriate.

Will the WCA hold an Annual Meeting or elections for officers?
Over the coming months, WCA alum leaders are collaborating with HWS to define a new way of operating as part of the HWS Office for Advancement. We have identified, as a priority, a desire to preserve and continue Wells’ legacy. During this period of transition, it is too soon to set plans for an Annual Meeting or elections. Alums will hear more about the WCA and new opportunities for input and connection soon.

Will the WCA become an independent nonprofit?
No. The legacy agreement with HWS enables the WCA to partner with the HWS Office of Advancement to create programming and events that bring Wells alums together.

Is HWS planning to reach out to alums?
HWS’ Office of Advancement plans to survey the Wells community to identify its priorities for programming, events and connection. In addition, an event is planned on the HWS campus to honor Wells’ legacy during the 2025-26 year. More information will be shared soon.