Oakland, CA - The Mills College Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (APER) was recently recognized with two community service awards. Mills was selected from among more than 400 NCAA Division III institutions to receive the 2004 NADIIIAAA/Jostens Community Service Award in the category of ongoing projects. This award is co-sponsored by the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) and Jostens. In addition, APER Director Themy-Jo Adachi will be honored at the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame for her leadership in sports and athletics.

The NADIIIAA/Jostens award honors the contributions Division III student-athletes make to their campuses and local communities.  In addition to receiving a commemorative trophy, Mills will receive a $1,000 contribution to its general scholarship fund.  Students in the Mills Community Tennis Program provide tennis lessons and academic tutoring to underserved children from Oakland elementary schools.

“It’s a win-win situation,” says Adachi.  “The children enjoy learning on the courts and in the classroom. Mills students feel great about making a difference in their community and learning how to teach in a multicultural environment.”    Adachi will be honored as the 2005 Outstanding Woman of the Year in Sports and Athletics at the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame Ceremony on March 26. The Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding women for their achievements and contributions to the overall well-being of Alameda County and its residents.

Adachi is one of only six MCAA female athletic directors of color in the country, and one of only three female Asian-Americans to serve in her capacity. As APER director, she has extended the educational mission of the program beyond the borders of Mills to benefit Alameda County residents.

All Mills intercollegiate athletic teams engage in at least one community service project each year. Student-athletes have served as mentors for the Lincoln Child Center, collected sports equipment to donate to Sports4Kids, fundraised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as participants in the Row-for-Cure and Race-for-the-Cure, co-sponsored with Cliffbars, Inc. the Lunafest Film Festival (proceeds donated to The Breast Cancer Fund), donated Mills Invitational Cross County entry fees to the Milo Foundation no kill animal shelter, and conducted sports clinics for local middle schools.

Adachi has been instrumental in providing accessible programs to county residents at Mills’ Trefethen Aquatic Center and in endorsing donations for the annual Swim-A-Mile, raising more than $220,000 for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center.         

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs for undergraduate women, and graduate degree and certificate programs for women and men. Consistently ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills is also recognized as one of the country’s 15 most diverse colleges. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California on 135 lush acres, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women’s leadership, social responsibility and creativity.

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