Commencement

Congratulations to the Class of 2012! 

The 124th Commencement at Mills College will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012. 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

This year's Commencement address will be given by Luma Mufleh, a Jordanian-born graduate of Smith College known for her work and advocacy on behalf of refugee children. Mufleh is the coach of the Fugees, a soccer team of youth from 28 war-torn countries, and an innovative social entrepreneur who has created businesses that assist refugees and immigrants in finding employment.

Among Mufleh's community projects are Fresh Start, a service that pays refugee and immigrant parents a living wage to clean properties, and Fugees Academy, the first school for refugee boys and girls in the US. Her and her team's inspirational story will be made into a major motion picture by Universal Studios.

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 will run smoothly at this most important event of the College year.

The purpose of these web pages is to guide you through the necessary 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: If you have comments or questions, address them to Linda Northcott unless directed to someone else.

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