Wells announces Aurora Inn re-opening

The Aurora Inn will be managed by Tania Condon and Benjamin Lawrence, both recent graduates of the Cornell University Hotel School. "They are thoroughly trained in every aspect of running and managing hotels and restaurants, from finances to preparing menus. We are very pleased with this arrangement," says Hutchinson. 

Condon and Lawrence say their primary goal during the next several months is to rebuild confidence in the Aurora Inn. "We want the inn to be a reflection of Wells College as it is today. Everything at the college is well-maintained, and the campus looks great. We want the inn to have that same new, fresh quality," says Condon. 

The Aurora Inn will feature an upscale restaurant serving dinners, a tavern serving lunch and dinner, and rooms; it will continue to host special events including banquets and weddings. Non-alcohol programming for Wells students will include coffeehouses and entertainment events. 

Lawrence has a background in creative cooking and says he has gourmet surprises planned for the menu. He also says he wants to connect the Aurora Inn to an important Finger Lakes-area industry: "We're really interested in working with local wineries and plan to serve many of the finer Central New York vintages." 

As students in Cornell's internationally known hotel school, Condon and Lawrence took marketing, finance, and human resource courses which have prepared them to manage hotels and restaurants. They also bring with them practical experience gained from working at Cornell and in other related jobs. 

Lawrence was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, and graduated from Cornell in December of 1996. In Indonesia, he interned as an assistant food and beverage manager. He has worked as a teaching assistant in creative cooking classes, wine tasting classes, and guest chef classes which showcased internationally known chefs. 

A native of Newbury, Mass., Condon graduated from Cornell this May. She worked at the Statler Hotel throughout her four years of study at Cornell. She has extensive experience with banquets and private functions and has trained, supervised, and scheduled workers in the hotel setting. 

By becoming managers of the Aurora Inn, Condon and Lawrence are not following the usual path for Cornell Hotel School graduates. They have already turned down job offers from large restaurant chains and hotel companies in favor of what they consider to be the more satisfying role of running a historic Finger Lakes inn. "This is a great opportunity for us, and the Aurora Inn will benefit from our new ideas and energy," says Lawrence. 

The Aurora Inn, originally called the Aurora House, was built in 1833 by E. B.. Morgan, an entrepreneur who shared many business ventures with the college's founder, Henry Wells. Morgan was one of the original founders of the New York Times. 

The building underwent extensive refurbishment and expansion in 1881: a rear wing and a two-story piazza were added. When Main Building burned at Wells in 1888, the college chartered the Inn as a dorm. 

The Aurora Inn was given to Wells College in 1943 by Robert L. Zabriskie. The building was remodeled extensively in 1958; a dining room, terrace, and bar were added. The most recent renovations took place in 1992.

June, 1997

Wells names staff and faculty award recipients

The recipient of the 1997 Student Life Award is Research Assistant/Office Coordinator for Development Cindy Avery of Aurora. She began working at Wells in 1993 and received her B.S. degree from the University of Bridgeport.

This award is given to the member of the Wells staff, faculty, or administration who through her or his enthusiasm and campus involvement has had an encouraging and positive influence on student life. 

In addition to her fundraising work for the college, Avery has worked closely with Wells students to coordinate community service activities that have created new relationships between the village of Aurora and Wells.

The recipient of the 1997 Excellence in Teaching Medal is Assistant Professor of History Michael Groth of Aurora. Groth joined the Wells faculty in 1994 and earned his B.A. from Williams College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Binghamton University. He teaches Interpreting U.S. History, Topics in American Social History, and The African-American Struggle for Human Rights, among other courses. 

The Excellence in Teaching Medal is awarded to the instructor who exemplifies enthusiasm for teaching, is impartial and willing to share time outside of class, encourages students to think critically and act independently, and best embodies the spirit of a Wells education in addition to having a strong command of a given field of study. 

The recipient of the 1997 Excellence in Academic Advising Award is Professor of German Waltraut Deinert of Ithaca. She joined the Wells faculty in 1972 and earned her B.A. from Queens College, her M.A. from the University of Wisconsin, and her Ph.D. from Yale University. She is chair of the international studies major and teaches German Romanticism and Issues in Contemporary German Society, among other courses. 

The intention of the Excellence in Academic Advising Award is to recognize the fundamental importance of academic advising to Wells students and to support the faculty in their advising work. 

May, 1997

Wells students present research findings at a national conference

Kathrine E. Ehrlich's presentation was entitled, "For Better or for Worse: The Case for Gay Marriage." A public affairs major from Weedsport, New York, Ehrlich worked with Wells Professor of Philosophy Laura Purdy on the research. 

Robyn E. Greener's presentation was entitled, "The Role of Water-Soluble Alkaloids in the Biological Activity of Three Medicinal Plants." A biological and chemical sciences major from Centereach, New York, Greener collaborated with Professor of Chemistry Linda Schwab and Professor of Biology Margaret Flowers. 

Jennifer C. Kappeller's presentation was entitled, "Phenotypic Expression of Cowpea Aphid-Borne Mosaic Virus in Bean Plants Containing the I Gene Belies Viral Genotype." A biological and chemical sciences major from Red Hook, New York, Kappeller worked with Professor of Biology Candace Collmer. 

Melissa Sayre Miller's presentation was entitled, "Self-Perception of the Efficacy of Physical and Drug Therapy in the Treatment of Post-Polio Syndrome." A biological and chemical sciences major from Pleasant Valley, New York, her research was sponsored by Professor Schwab. 

Tuesday M. Tamburri's presentation was entitled, "Confucianism and the Sexual Oppression of Women in South Korea." A sociology major from Riverside, Conn., her research was sponsored by Professor of Sociology Leslie Miller-Bernal. 

Professor of Chemistry Christopher Bailey attended the conference with the students and participated in the Undergraduate Research Network Symposia, a forum for faculty discussions. He is a member of the Council on Undergraduate Research. 

Funds for Wells' participation in this year's conference were provided through a grant to the college's Presidential Discretionary Fund by the Hewlett-Mellon Foundation. 

More than 1,600 undergraduate students and 400 college faculty members from across the United States gathered for the conference. 

Undergraduate research has a long and distinguished history at Wells. The research experience allows each student to apply what she has learned in the classroom to an original problem in collaboration with faculty. This experience gives students an edge in graduate school and professional involvement. 

May, 1997

Actress Kathryn Walker is Wells' Commencement speaker

Advance story in Wells College Campus Events

Text of Kathryn Walker's Commencement address

Other Articles in Wells College News:

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