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For the college's 156th and final commencement Saturday, the leaders who made the surprising announcement that the school will close after the spring semester did not play their usual starring roles at the event. 

It was requested by graduates that the leadership, namely Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter, step back from their traditional responsibilities at the final commencement. The decision was also made to seat Gibralter in the back row behind the faculty and staff on the dais. 

Gibralter and Marie Chapman Carroll, the chair of the college's board of trustees, did not have designated speaking roles and weren't mentioned by name in the program. Susan Henking, vice president of academic and student affairs at Wells College, handled the ceremonial duties usually performed by Gibralter. 

There was one exception. Gibralter's lone responsibility was to confer degrees to the 73 graduates. While he carried out that task, he also used the time to speak to faculty, staff and students — something, sources tell ÈËÊÞÐÔ½», he was asked not to do. 

In Gibralter's brief remarks, his first public statement since announcing the college's closure, he congratulated graduates and recognized the faculty and staff. 

"Working with you, for you, has been my greatest privilege and you are all truly exceptional human beings," he said. 

Gibralter also had a message for graduates. He noted that the class of 2024 began their collegiate careers during the COVID-19 pandemic and are the last class to graduate from Wells before it closes. 

"While I know your journey in life might not always take you back to Aurora, I do hope that you'll stay connected to one another and to all Wells alumnae and alumni," he said. "Congratulations on your accomplishment and I wish you, truly and sincerely, the very best in life." 

After conferring the degrees, Gibralter returned to his seat. There were some boos and graduates chanted, "We are Wells!" 

The degrees were presented to graduates by those who had a direct role in their education — their professors.