In preparation for the closure, Wells College staff “cut”, causing damage to the precious Minerva Statue – a gift to the college from Charles Wells in 1868 – The Wells Legacy Society alleged late last week.
The non-profit organization was formed on May 15, 2024, by a group of Wells College alumni in response to the April decision to close the college at the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
In an interview Tuesday, the heritage society’s vice president, Karen Hindenlang, said it was “heartbreaking” to see how the administration handled the statue of Minerva — which many Wells alumni venerate as a symbol of their own determination to survive and thrive in chaos. , as the statue survived the fire in the Colleges Old Main building in 1888.
The statue was originally a gift to the college from Charles Wells in 1868. The head of the Roman goddess of wisdom and justice was removed from the body of the statue when it tried to move it to “protect Minerva from theft and ensure her safety,” the college alleged in a June 12 post.
“In an effort to cut corners, the administration ordered that the statue be moved without professional help and without protective materials using a backhoe, dollies, and chains. It is devastating to see a priceless symbol of our college handled well.” society president Rachel Snyder said in a statement Monday from the organization, “It also shows how the administration has handled the closure so far, and how it handled the precious artifacts at Wells College while it was still closed.”
The College is currently seeking outside experts to move and repair the statue, and assures the Wells community of updates and photos to update progress over the coming weeks.
WLS is seeking more information, help from the Aurora community
In a post on its website on June 14, the Wells Legacy Society listed its immediate and long-term goals, stating that it aims to “challenge & block the designation of Manhattanville U as a Wells legacy partner,” and “protect the Wells institution.” fund in and near Aurora, so that our endowment and designated funds can support the original and specific goals of our donors.
In the long term, it wants to preserve a portion of the campus for educational and non-profit organizations to showcase and promote Wells’ legacy, Aurora’s history and long-term health, and the continuation of the Wells College Alumni (WCA) community.
Attorneys acting on behalf of the newly formed society sent a letter on May 28 to the Wells College Board of Trustees, questioning the future of artifacts, archives and historic assets on the campus following the announcement of the school’s closure.
It also challenged the designation of Manhattanville University, 250 miles away, as the school’s preferred legacy partner, asking the question ‘how does geographic location factor into the decision-making process for choosing a legacy partner?’
WLS claims that the number of student transfers taken unofficially in the recent Wells College Reunion also brings the choice into question, with leading 74 students trying to transfer to Hobart and William Smith Colleges nearby in the Finger Lakes instead of three reportedly transferring to Manhattanville.
According to Wells officials, “Manhattanville expressed interest in developing a legacy agreement that would integrate the name and history of Wells College into the Manhattanville community.”
The society reportedly did not receive a response to the letter, according to Hindenlang.
“There are other agencies, other groups that have approached the college about some of the historic assets offered for help or storage use, and I heard last week that the college did not respond to the offer of help from Albany. ,” she said.
However, the village of Aurora has contacted state and county sources to try to transfer ownership of the water source below the campus to the village.
WLS also requested a letter to support the allocation of the Community Medical Center – which is used in the infirmary at Wells on campus – for Dr. Heather MacAdam, who has a patient base of nearly 2,000 and preforms exams for first responders and local students. practice in the middle.
The future of Peachtown Cottage on the Wells campus, which is now Peachtown Elementary School, is also uncertain, but WLS aims to secure the building and ensure the operation of the school.
The college updated its website June 11 to include Human resources and business office information for late employees and students leaving the college at the end of the month.
This article originally appeared in the Ithaca Journal: Minerva beheaded at Wells College 2024
