Commencement

Congratulations to the Class of 2013! 

The 125th Commencement at Mills College will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013. With this ceremony the College recognizes the achievements of its students and confers upon them the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Mills degree. The dignity and customs of this historic ceremony are rooted in medieval times, when colleges and universities developed methods and standards for marking progress in knowledge and professionalism.

In keeping with this tradition, the Mills Commencement ceremony will begin on Holmgren Meadow promptly at 9:45 am and end at approximately 12:00 pm, with an academic procession of Mills graduating students, alumnae/i, faculty, Trustees, the President's Cabinet, and honored guests. The program will include remarks by President Alecia A. DeCoudreaux, the Commencement address, student speakers, and the conferring of degrees.

The traditional strawberry and champagne reception for graduating students, alumnae/i, faculty, and guests, held on the Art Museum Meadow, will follow the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Speaker

Mills College will mark its 125th Commencement with an address given by Holly Gordon. Gordon, an award-winning television and film producer, is the executive director of a global social action campaign designed to educate girls in developing nations.

After many years producing ABC News programs such as World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Primetime, Gordon is now the executive producer of the groundbreaking documentary Girl Rising. Combining the power of the media with film production, Girl Rising, which premiered this spring, delivers the powerful message that "one courageous girl can cause a revolution."

While producing Girl Rising, Gordon quickly realized that she not only had the ability—but the responsibility—to do even more for the cause of girls. She co-founded a nonprofit organization, 10x10: Educate Girls, Change the World, which uses the power of storytelling and fundraising to bring teachers, school facilities, supplies, and educational programs to girls in developing nations. The campaign delivers the simple critical truth: educate girls and you will change the world.

Recognized by Newsweek/The Daily Beast as a Woman of Impact for her work on Girl Rising, Gordon's efforts prove that educating girls can break cycles of poverty. As a result of partnerships with NGOs and corporations, research supporting the 10x10 effort uncovered promising facts: not only do women operate the majority of small farms and businesses in the developing world, but a girl who has just one extra year of schooling can earn 20 percent more as an adult.

General Information

Each year, the Commencement organizing committee, acting in an advisory capacity to the President, plans this academic ceremony to maintain the traditions of the College and ensure that everything runs smoothly at this most important event of the College year.

The purpose of these web pages is to guide you through the steps needed in order to be prepared for this exciting and memorable occasion. Please read through these pages carefully to ensure that you have fulfilled all requirements so you can obtain your diploma and, if desired, participate in the Commencement ceremony. These pages are updated frequently, so please check back as needed.

NOTE: Comments or questions regarding Commencement may be addressed to Linda Northcott unless you previously have been directed to another Mills contact.

Linda Northcott, Director of College Events
Mills College Events Office, Sage Hall 124
5000 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94613
510.430.2100
lln@mills.edu