by Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College

Wells College is the ideal location for the 19th Annual New York State Association of
College Admission Counseling Conference. The theme of "Blazing Trails to New
Frontiers" has a special meaning in the context of this college. Opening the frontier is
a very real part of Wells' history. 

Two weeks ago the women of Wells' Class of 1997 were driven from Main Building at
the center of campus to Commencement ceremonies outside Macmillan Hall in fully
restored, antique Wells Fargo stagecoaches. This tradition goes back to the first year
of the college - 1868. Our founder, Henry Wells, sent a coach to the village of Cayuga
at the northern end of the lake to pick up the first group of new students at the
steamboat stop. 

Every succeeding class of Wells women has made it part of the college experience to ride in a stagecoach. For me, this has always been a reflection of the pioneering spirit you will find at Wells. 

During the 19th century in what were then the wilds of New York State, young entrepreneur Henry Wells had a vision of limitless expansion westward. In 1841, he and two partners established an express line from Albany to Buffalo. They built a national delivery network so reliable and efficient that it successfully competed with the U.S. Postal Service. 

In 1850, Henry Wells formed the American Express Company, becoming its first president. In 1852, in the wake of the success of American Express, he helped form the Wells Fargo Express. During the 1850s and 60s, Henry Wells made Aurora his home and the center of the express business. His next dream was to establish a college which would provide women with the same academic opportunities as men. It's fitting that Henry's home - Glen Park - is now a college residence hall. 

When Wells opened, higher education for women was not widely accepted. During that era, theories were put forth warning of the dangers of educating women: It was believed that too much learning would rob women of their feminine charms; some said educated women would scorn housework. Many believed women were intellectually inferior to men and the strain of mental activity would destroy their health and damage their capacities to bear and rear children. 

Generations of Wells women educated in the liberal arts have proven the absurdity of these assertions. Wells College has contributed significantly to the opening of a frontier that has resulted in increased social equality and progress, and women's perceptions and viewpoints have changed the world for the better. 

We now stand on the threshold of another new frontier. And in the spirit of innovation, Wells is preparing women of all generations for life and leadership. The new world we are entering - as all of you know - is not without its challenges. Here at Wells, we are examining the changes we must make to serve today's students and their families. 

While we come from many different kinds of institutions to attend this conference, we all contribute to the inter-connected system of higher education which is in the United States today a $200 billion industry. 

We are all influenced by the same changing demographics, social trends, and fluctuating markets. We also live in a time when this industry that enjoyed vast expansion and profited from deeply rooted cultural assumptionsabout the importance of education during previous decades now faces, perhaps for the first time, a decline in public confidence. 

This conference is a rare opportunity for admissions professionals, counselors, educational leaders, and educators at all levels to pool their knowledge and explore issues of common concern: What ethical standards should guide marketing efforts? How can we better understand the complex relationship shared by fundraising, scholarships, and financial aid? How can public and private high schools work with colleges and universities more effectively? What standards will ensure that all members of our society have equal access to quality higher education? 

These are only a few of the pressing subjects I look forward to discussing with you. I hope we all find more clarity and even some answers. We also have the opportunity to further define the professional values of admissions. Moreover, I look forward to working in an atmosphere of collaboration which I believe is essential if we are to improve the condition of education. 

The State of New York has been and continues to be a pioneer in education. The commitment, energy, and talent that we find at this conference will ensure that spirit continues into the New Millennium. 

I hope you will find time during this busy conference to explore and enjoy our campus and meet the members of our community. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Wells. 

Delivered Wednesday, June 4, 1997 in Phipps Auditorium, Wells College