AURORA — Overlooking Cayuga Lake, members of the 2011 graduating class of Wells College prepared to take the first step into their future during the 143rd commencement ceremony held Saturday morning at the Aurora Inn.
After a morning spent engaging in the traditional senior rides in the Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, friends and family gathered to celebrate the hard work and effort of getting to this day.
Words of wisdom and encouragement were given to the 134 liberal arts graduates as smiles and bittersweet tears filled both graduates and faculty.
“With your time here at Wells College you have learned things that won’t be found in your diploma,” College Chaplain the Rev. Robert French said during the opening remarks. “You have learned just how far you have come in such a short time. But as you go into the future you’ll know that you will never stop learning, never stop growing and never stop changing.”
It was these words, the connections with fellow students and faculty, as well as the love of the college that had made the ceremony an emotional moment in the life of Samantha Vella.
“I am just at a loss for words right now,” she said while wiping tears from her eyes. “This is a very bittersweet time in my life. This is a very special place that has even more special people. I am going to miss it all.”
Vella said that she will take a year off before putting her performing arts major to work for her in Nashville, Tenn., where she plans to relocate.
Vice President of Communications Ann Rollo said that the 2011 graduating class will always be remembered.
“This particular class ... will always stand out to me,” she said. “They were a group of very smart and active students.”
Last fall Wells seniors were nominated for inclusion in the 2010-11 edition of Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
This year’s commencement speaker was 1992 graduate of Wells, Laurie Munroe Abkemeier. Abkemeier is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company as well as a former book editor. She currently represents more than 50 journalists, bloggers, poets, academics and artists. She has negotiated film and television deals on behalf of her authors, who include John Grogan, author of “Marley and Me,” and Kate Torgovnick, author of “Cheer!,” which is the basis for “Hellcats,” shown on The CW.
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