Wells College Parent Guide

Traditions at Wells

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Student Life

Odd/Even

Upon entering, first-year students are assigned to one of two traditional lines. The Evenline, whose colors are blue and green, consist of students who will graduate in even-numbered years. The Oddline, whose colors are purple and yellow, consists of students who will graduate in odd-numbered years.

Each line also has its own mascot. Evens have Cleo (the elephant), and Odds have Oddwina (the bear).

During the first week of this tradition, tryouts take place and teams are picked. Each team then selects its song leaders, who then carry the responsibility of preparing the teams for the sing-off competition the day before the basketball game. The song leaders also supervise the creation of the class banners, as well as the writing of the class song.

After two weeks of practice and songs in the dining hall, the first-year and sophomore teams meet in the gym (in front of a packed audience) for the famed game. The victors get first dibs on a side of the “smoke pit,” which they paint over. The other team shares this experience and paints the other side of smoke pit. Regardless of which team wins, there is plenty of enthusiasm, and valued memories are once again added to this long-standing tradition.

Tea Time

Tea and coffee are served every weekday afternoon in Macmillan Hall’s Art Exhibit Room. Though the long dresses and china cups have long since disappeared, this break from afternoon seminars is still a great time to get together with friends and professors.

Convocations

Opening Convocation celebrates the beginning of the academic year and is the seniors’ first chance to wear academic gowns. A traditional part of this convocation is the candlelight ceremony. Symbolized by a candle flame, the spirit of the Wells connection is passed from alumnae/i to students, signifying the support that Wells students give one another throughout their lives.

The Collegiate Cabinet plans the Convocation that opens the spring semester and welcomes students, faculty and staff back to campus after the intersession. Honors Convocation is held at the end of the year where most annual award presentations for student’s achievements are made.

Weihnachten

To celebrate the holiday spirit that sweeps through campus each winter, the Traditions Committee organizes a traditional holiday show for all of the community to enjoy. Village residents and their children, students, faculty and staff engage in the activities that take place on the first Monday night of December.

The main attractions of the night are holiday skits that are put on by the resident advisors, administrators and elves. Senior elves try to remember and re-create their first-year skit, and the new student elves work the crowd by performing theirs.

Singing groups on campus such as Henry’s VIII, Appointed, and the Whirligigs are invited to sing. At the end of the evening, first-year elves introduce Santa Claus and everyone participates in singing carols over cookies and hot chocolate.

Commencement

Since the first graduation activities were held in 1869, Wells has hosted a distinguished Commencement ceremony accompanied by many festivities. A reception on Friday evening is held with a special concert by one of the College’s student singing groups. On the morning of Commencement, seniors ride with their families in the original Wells Fargo stagecoach to the ceremony where degrees are awarded. In the early days, essays (sometimes amusing) were delivered by the graduates on Commencement day, with musical interludes by the students; a dignitary gave the keynote address. Commencement speakers are selected by the senior class.

Moving Up Day

Each spring, on the Monday of the last week of classes, the senior class promotes students to the next class year. This all-student occasion includes skits, songs, jokes and the pinning of the juniors with college pins.

Junior Mugs

At the end of sophomore year, students receive their personalized ceramic mugs in celebration of being juniors. These mugs are christened at Junior Blast and then used for champagne breakfast during their
senior year and other traditions.

Caps and Gowns

Seniors wear academic gowns on the first and last day of classes each semester, at champagne breakfast, convocations, Odd/Even game and sing, 20 Days, and at Moving Up Day.

Minerva

Outside of Main, the College’s first building, sits the lovely statue of the Roman Goddess Minerva. Symbolizing wisdom, craft, wit and intellect, the senior class does the honor of decorating Minerva at the beginning of the fall semester.

Minerva remains decorated throughout the school year; then during the morning of the last day of classes and after singing around the Sycamore tree, the senior class takes turns kissing the feet of Minerva, believed to be good luck and bring success and prosperity to all graduation seniors.

Sycamore Tree

On the last day of classes, seniors in their robes are joined by fellow students and administration on the front lawn of Main where they dance and sing around the old Sycamore tree. The sophomores present the seniors with roses to commend them on their accomplishments, then everyone proceeds to the dining hall where they are cheerfully served breakfast by the administration. Before going inside the seniors stop to kiss Minerva’s feet.

Disco Dodge

This annual event is held in the lounge of Dodge Residence Hall early in the fall semester. Wells students and their guests dance the night away to ’70s music and compete for best costume in their finest polyester attire.

Semi-Formal

In November, students and their guests participate in an elegant soiree with the chance to dress in formal attire and enjoy a candlelit dinner. Following dinner, a performance by one of the singing groups is held in the Chapel. After the performance, students head to the dining hall to dance the night away.

Mainly ’80s

Mainly ’80s is the perfect chance to break out the spandex and funky hairstyles and dance the night away. Held in the basement of Main Building, Mainly ’80s is the time where students dress in their best ’80s attire and cut “footloose” to live tunes of the ’80s! The night is also filled with hula-hoops, break dancing and lip sync contests.