A grassroots effort to restore Wells College is gaining steam. According to the Ithaca Journal, the Cleveland Commission for Wells College will host a public Zoom forum on May 28 to share its plan to acquire the historic Aurora campus and reopen it as a liberal arts institution.
The commission, which submitted a bid in March, hopes to raise $100,000 through its “Minerva’s Village” campaign and is petitioning the state attorney general for support. In early May, it met with other bidders and community groups, including the Hiawatha Institute, to discuss shared visions—though no deals were made.
Wells College closed abruptly in April 2024, citing financial collapse. Now, with the campus up for sale, alumni see a chance to bring back a 156-year legacy.
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