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They did not want Jonathan Gibralter, the school's president, at commencement. 

The ensuing discussions produced a ceremony that celebrated the final graduating class in the Aurora institution's 156-year history and the professors who guided them for the last four years. 

Charlotte Seifert, a member of the Wells class of 2024, told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» there was a meeting between between students and two college administrators — Susan Henking, vice president of academic and student affairs, and Karey Pine, dean of students and associate vice president for academic and student affairs. Among the subjects at the meeting was Gibralter's role at commencement. 

According to Seifert, Henking and Pine informed the students that Gibralter was required to confer the degrees. The graduating class agreed he could attend, but wanted him to have a limited role during the ceremony. They also did not want to see him, which is why he sat in the back row behind the faculty at commencement. 

At colleges and universities, the president usually presents degrees to graduates. With the graduating class wanting Gibralter to have little involvement in the ceremony, Seifert and others pitched an idea: The faculty would give students their degrees. 

"The response was that it would be complicated to organize but that they would try their best to make it happen," Seifert recalled. She credited Pine for being willing to assist students with the concept. 

Attendees saw the process unfold at commencement. Students lined up by major and Henking announced the faculty from that program's department. One by one, students walked up the steps in front of Macmillan Hall, where they were greeted by professors. There were handshakes and hugs, laughs and tears. They posed for photos, part of their last act as teacher and student. 

The commencement format gave students and faculty a lasting memory on their last day at Wells. 

"We didn't want to give (Gibralter) or his poor decisions any more attention. He didn't deserve it," Seifert said. "As a class we worked hard for four years and we wanted a day to celebrate with those we care about." 

The gesture was noticed by alumni and retired faculty, some of whom contacted ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» to note the uniqueness of how degrees were presented at the ceremony. 

Dr. Christopher Bailey, a chemistry professor at Wells College, wrote in an email that the faculty was "happy to be asked to participate this year." 

"Typically we are observers at the ceremony and so being able to hand the diplomas directly to our advisees was an enjoyable privilege," he said.