Hobart and William Smith Colleges
A coordinate college system
Why choose HWS?
The campus is located on the shore of the beautiful Seneca Lake.
Each college celebrates its own traditions. During the academic year, William Smith College celebrates annual events such as Founder's Day and Moving Up Day and Hobart celebrates Charter Day.
HWS has an environmental sustainability program: 100 per cent of the electricity is generated by wind power.
Quick facts
Location: Geneva, New York, USA
City Population: 13,260
University Population: 2,110
Climate: Geneva has a humid continental climate, with warm to hot summers and cold winters.
Nearest Airport: Greater Rochester International Airport
Further information
Located on a 195 acre complex, in the heart of New York State's Finger Lakes Region, Hobart and William Smith are independent liberal arts colleges distinctive for providing highly individualised education. Guided by an interdisciplinary curriculum, the colleges prepare students to think critically. Through robust programmes 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.
The colleges enjoy a rich heritage based on a two-college system rooted in interdisciplinary teaching and research. Originally founded as two separate colleges (Hobart for men in 1822 and William Smith for women in 1908), HWS now operates under a coordinate college system. All students share the same campus, faculty, administration and curriculum. Each college maintains its own traditions, deans, student government and athletic department. Men graduate from Hobart College and women graduate from William Smith College.
Sustainability at HWS
Hobart and William Smith Colleges have several notable sustainability initiatives:
Carbon Neutrality: Achieved climate neutrality in 2023, a year ahead of schedule
Solar Energy: Generates 50% of campus electricity from two large solar farms
Bee Campus USA: Promotes pollinator conservation and education through land management and community engagement
Food Purchasing Assessment: HWS students have worked to recognise and support an institutional commitment to procurement of ‘real food’ – food that is local or community based, fair, ecologically sound and/or humane.
Tree Campus USA - For over a century, tree conservation has remained an integral value to HWS. The HWS Tree Advisory Committee endorses a Campus Tree Care Plan.
For more information on HWS’s Sustainable Initiatives
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