On the morning of Friday, Sept 28, Mills will host Convocation for the 160th school year. While Commencement celebrates graduating students and sends them off into the world, Convocation occurs in the Fall and brings the Mills community together in anticipation of the coming school year.
The ceremony will honor the academic achievements of select students and faculty, recognize the graduating class and welcome those students in their first semester at Mills.
Speeches will be made by graduate student Elizabeth Rico, undergraduate senior Rebecca Freeman and Provost Sandra Greer.
“I’ve always felt like Convocation is more of an in-house celebration, something for us,” said Director of College Events, Linda Northcott.
The choice of Greer rather than an outside speaker is particularly exciting for Northcott.
“That tells us we don’t need somebody from the outside, we’ve got talent right here,” Northcott said. “And her speech is going to be really good.”
In addition to the speeches, The Mills College Choir will be singing the Mills Hymn, “Fires of Wisdom.” It has been 22 years since the college has had a choir, and this will be the newly-formed group’s first performance.
Instead of being held at the very beginning of the semester, Convocation is held on the same weekend of Alumnae Reunion and Family Weekend so visitors and alumnae can take part in this special event.
Elizabeth Rico, this year’s graduate student speaker, gained her undergraduate degree from UC Irvine, and hails from Moreno Valley. Describing Nancy Drew as her “gateway books,” she hopes to work in publishing Young Adult Literature. She says she is excited to speak to Mills about being creative and not getting bogged down by schoolwork during the year. She insists, “You should get off campus and take a break!”
Dr. Sandra Greer joined Mills in 2008 as Provost, Dean of the Faculty, and professor of Chemistry. This will be her last convocation as Provost of Mills College and she is very pleased to deliver her speech entitled “Education for Humility”. Next year, she will be rejoining the Mills faculty in the Chemistry Department.
Rebecca Freeman, ASMC Student Body President, wears many hats on campus and is most likely a recognizable face. In addition to her responsibilities within ASMC, she is also Undergraduate Orientation Coordinator for the Office of Student Activities (OSA) and ambassador to many campus organizations. She will be speaking about her experiences of meaningful one-on-one interactions, something she considers a unique quality of the culture here at Mills.
Julia Morgan Buildings Tour
Thurs 4:00-4:30 p.m., Fri 4:00-5:00 p.m., Sat 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Campus architect Karen Fiene hosts a tour of the historic
Julia Morgan-designed buildings on campus.
Mills College Art Museum Exhibition
Thurs-Sun 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Points of Pride: Showcasing the Best of Mills College
Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Jane’s Stroll
Friday, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Jane Cudlip King, class of 1942 hosts an easy walking tour
around campus and tells stories.
Salsa! Salsa! Salsa! Alumnae of Color Reception
Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mills Community Tennis Festival and Barbeque
Saturday,11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Free to attend, BBQ meal $10 for adults, $8 for students
and $5 for children 12 years and under.
Dessert Reception with President DeCoudreaux
Saturday 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Soccer Match: Mills College vs. UC Santa Cruz
Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
