Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Guided by a curriculum grounded in exploration and rigor, the Colleges prepare students to think critically. They go on to lead lives of consequence.

Hobart and William Smith is a liberal arts and sciences institution known for its consistent success in preparing students for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers through an outcomes-based focus on their futures. Located on 320 acres in the heart of New York State’s Finger Lakes Region, Hobart and William Smith are independent liberal arts colleges distinctive for providing highly individualiz

ed educations. In partnership with the Geneva and global communities and through robust programs in career development, study-abroad, service, leadership and athletics, the Colleges foster an environment that values global citizenship, teamwork, ethics, inclusive excellence and cultural competence. Under the mentorship of faculty, Hobart and William Smith students gain the necessary clarity to be competitive when seeking employment. They win prestigious fellowships like the Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, Udall, Fulbright and Goldwater. They gain admittance to the best graduate programs in the country. Thank you for engaging with us on social media. We enjoy your comments and suggestions, and intend to keep you updated with relevant community and college news and resources. We have established the following guidelines for commenting and our responses for those comments. We hope that this will keep the focus on positive dialogue and help answer questions while making sure that the comments are courteous and professional. We will try to respond as quickly as possible to your comments during normal working hours. Banning: We hope to never have to ban participants from our community, but repeated or egregious violations of the above policy will result in removal from the community. Spam: Advertising or promotional content will be immediately removed. Threats, hateful, or inappropriate comments: We will not allow personal attacks, threats, release of personal information, overtly antagonistic or abusive behavior. Infractions will result in immediate removal of the comment(s) and possible banning from the community. Hate speech: Sexist, racist or homophobic speech will not be tolerated. Factual information: Although we acknowledge criticism, we will not allow misrepresentation. We will distinguish between constructive arguments and subversion of the purpose of the site via smear tactics. Repeat topics: We are excited to discuss community information, issues, activities and events and related topics, but to ensure that we keep the conversation moving, we will not engage in extended back and forth on topics in the comment threads. Please feel free to reach us directly off-line to discuss other topics in more depth. Our Comment Use Policy also is available on the HWS website: http://www.hws.edu/news/social_media_policy.aspx

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Today, we celebrate the life of activist and journalist Gloria Steinem L.H.D. ’98, who spoke at Hobart and William Smith...
09/03/2026

Today, we celebrate the life of activist and journalist Gloria Steinem L.H.D. ’98, who spoke at Hobart and William Smith on several occasions, spending time with students and faculty.

In 1996, Steinem presented HWS’ Elizabeth Blackwell Award to her friend and colleague Wilma Mankiller. She returned in 1998 to deliver the Commencement address and was awarded an honorary degree.

In her remarks, she advised the graduating seniors: “Trust your interests. Trust your instincts. Do what you can uniquely do. Do what gives you joy, what you love so much you would do it whether you got paid or not. Trust your own inner voice.”

Read her full Commencement Address: https://www.hws.edu/news/transcripts/steinemcomm1998.aspx

Meet the inaugural Melly Scholars!Established through a $70 million gift from Trustee Chair Emeritus L. Thomas Melly '52...
09/01/2026

Meet the inaugural Melly Scholars!
Established through a $70 million gift from Trustee Chair Emeritus L. Thomas Melly '52, L.H.D. '02 and Judith Hershey Melly, L.H.D. '16, the Melly Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship in HWS history, recognizing exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, innovation and service. The inaugural scholars were selected from more than 500 applicants, with an acceptance rate of less than 4 percent.

Here, they connect with President Mark D. Gearan, Executive Director of the Melly Institute Pamela Young and Vice President Robert B. O'Connor P'22, P'23. Over the next four years, the cohort will take part in leadership development, professional coaching and alumni mentorship, career treks and study abroad opportunities.

And just like that... a new academic year begins!
08/31/2026

And just like that... a new academic year begins!

At Convocation, our first-years signed their class banner and we marked the opening of a new academic year. Thank you to...
08/31/2026

At Convocation, our first-years signed their class banner and we marked the opening of a new academic year. Thank you to Senior Associate Dean Kelly Payne, Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement Rev. Nita Byrd, Associate Professor of Practice Susan Flanders Cushman ’98, Jane Erickson ’07, Trustee Paul Wasmund ’07 and HWS Student Government President Ela Gardiner ’27 for joining us. Our speakers encouraged students to be curious, ask questions, build meaningful relationships, embrace new experiences and get comfortable with not having all the answers.

As Ela told the Class of 2030, “Orientation gave you the map. Now, what you do with it is up to you.”

Students are getting to know their new home in Geneva, N.Y. The Class of 2030 explored downtown businesses on the Love G...
08/31/2026

Students are getting to know their new home in Geneva, N.Y.

The Class of 2030 explored downtown businesses on the Love Geneva tour and enjoyed the Variety Show at the historic Smith Opera House, where students sang, performed skits and shared their talents. Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Becca Morris also welcomed students to her home for a movie night.

08/28/2026

Sadie Herr ’27 asks parents and families to share their best advice for students starting college, then turns the question around: What advice do students have for the new empty-nesters?

Parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors, share your advice in the comments!

Move-in essentials, according to the Class of 2030! Scroll to see what made the move!What’s the one thing you couldn’t g...
08/27/2026

Move-in essentials, according to the Class of 2030! Scroll to see what made the move!

What’s the one thing you couldn’t go to college without? Share in the comments!

Illumination ✨
08/27/2026

Illumination ✨

Shake hands with President Mark D. Gearan and Mary Herlihy Gearan ✔️Move-in  ✔️Meet roommate ✔️First Day ✔️You’ve made i...
08/27/2026

Shake hands with President Mark D. Gearan and Mary Herlihy Gearan ✔️
Move-in ✔️
Meet roommate ✔️
First Day ✔️

You’ve made it, Class of 2030! These are just the first moments of four years filled with exploration, challenge, discovery and growth.

552 first-year students and 28 transfer students from 35 states and countries around the world are headed to HWS, bringi...
08/25/2026

552 first-year students and 28 transfer students from 35 states and countries around the world are headed to HWS, bringing new ideas, interests and energy to campus. Get ready to meet your classmates, settle into campus life and kick off an unforgettable first year, Class of 2030! See you tomorrow!

Record-setting interest and a more than 20 percent increase in first-year enrollment bring a vibrant new class to campus.

Address

Geneva, NY
14456

Telephone

+13157813000

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