Commencement: Photography and Flowers 

Professional Photographs of Individual Graduating Students
A professional photographer selected by the College takes at least three color photographs of each degree candidate during the Commencement ceremony on Holmgren Meadow, one as the candidate approaches the stage, a second on stage as the diploma is presented, and a third in front of the official Mills student banner, just after the candidate receives the diploma and is returning to their seat. In addition, several candid shots are taken before and during the ceremony. GradImages is the official photographer for Commencement 2013.

The GradImages photographer will also take individual cap and gown photos at the Rehearsal Lunch in the Student Union, located in Rothwell Center, on Friday, May 17, from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Interested students should bring cap, gown, and hood to this event. Photos will be taken on a first-come first-serve basis.  

Please visit the GradImages website, www.gradimages.com and click on the Pre-Event Email Registration. Enter emails for those who would like to view and order photos. After graduation, order online at www.gradimages.com or call 800.261.2576. Students who preregister before Commencement, will receive $5 off on orders of $25 or more.

Audience Members Taking Photographs
Audience members taking photographs during the Commencement ceremony on Holmgren Meadow must do so from a specially marked area. This area is located at the end of the exit ramp each degree candidate will use just after receiving her/his diploma. To reach this area, move around to the left of the stage, using the side aisles and around the rear of the audience. Guests must not block the aisles during the ceremony.

College Photographers
Official College photographers will also be taking pictures from various locations to document the Commencement ceremony on Holmgren Meadow. These are the only photographers allowed to shoot photographs outside of the specially marked area. These photographs will be posted on the Mills website www.mills.edu shortly after the event.

Important: Only authorized College photographers and the press (wearing identification badges) will be allowed in front of the stage or in the aisles during the Commencement ceremony on Holmgren Meadow.

Bent Twig Photo Session for Graduating Students and Alumnae Relatives—Art Museum Plaza, immediately following the ceremony, approximately12:30 pm–1:45 pm, Saturday, May 18
Graduating students who have a mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, or other relative who graduated from Mills are known as Bent Twigs. After the ceremony and on your way to the Strawberry Champangne Reception, come with her or him to this photo session and then check out the photos with our Commencement coverage in the fall issue of the alumnae magazine, Mills Quarterly.

Flowers

Flowers For Your Graduate! 

With a vision of equal education and opportunity for women, missionaries Cyrus and Susan Mills moved from Hawaii, bought The Young Ladies Seminary in 1865, and renamed it Mills College. In keeping with this Hawaiian connection, many graduates wear the traditional Hawaiian lei during the graduation ceremony.

Leis and bouquets of dozen or half-dozen roses may be pre-ordered online through May 14 at https://commerce.cashnet.com/mills_cf_prod.

Pick up pre-orders between 8:00 am - 12:00 pm on Commencement day, Saturday, May 18. Please bring your ID, along with the name listed on the credit card used for the pre-order purchase.

A limited quantity of leis and half-dozen roses will be available for sale on a cash-basis only beginning at 8:00 am on Commencement day, Saturday, May 18. To ensure your graduate receives flowers, we recommend that you use the pre-order option rather than same-day purchase.

The flower stand will be located on Suzanne Adams Plaza in Rothwell Center, which is adjacent to the Commencement event site on Holmgren Meadow.