MILLS COLLEGE RECEIVES AWARD FROM JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION FOR NATURAL SCIENCES BUILDING 

Oakland, CA - The James Irvine Foundation has awarded $300,000 to Mills College to create a computer classroom/student lounge in the College’s new state-of-the-art Natural Sciences Building. The grant honors Patricia S. Pineda, a retiring member of the Irvine Foundation Board of Directors and a Mills alumna (Class of 1974) who serves on the College’s Board of Trustees.

Currently the group vice president of philanthropy and administration and general counsel at Toyota Motor North America, Pineda has been twice named one of Hispanic Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics,” and was named “Latino Executive of the Year” by Latino on Wheels magazine. She has served Mills with distinction, including providing generous support to Hispanic women for undergraduate scholarships.

The James Irvine Foundation Computer Classroom/Student Lounge will be located on the first floor of the new building, adjacent to the main lobby. The Lounge will feature 12 computer stations and furnishings enabling students to collaborate on projects and share ideas.

The lack of women in science is a national challenge. Mills addresses this issue by preparing the next generation of women for scientific leadership through an environment of rigorous academic study, interdisciplinary study, and unparalleled faculty mentoring—hallmarks of all Mills programs. Mills’ $17.2 million Natural Sciences Building adjacent to the Life Sciences Building consolidates Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, and Physics programs into one building, creating a vigorous scientific community on campus. The building will open officially in late August 2007 with a special ceremony scheduled for October 11, 2007.

Designed by Karen Fiene Architects and EHDD Architecture, the new 26,000 square foot, two-story complex will qualify as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building, designed from a sustainable perspective in every facet. In addition to the Irvine Lounge, the Natural Sciences Building will feature four new teaching laboratories, five new classrooms, and centralized faculty offices. Up-to-date instrumentation will support the academic programs.

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 recognized as one of the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills currently ranks among the top 20 most diverse liberal arts colleges. The New York Times recently selected Mills as one of three leading California colleges for students to consider.

In 2006, the Washington Monthly College Rankings named Mills a leading liberal arts college based on community service, research spending, quality of preparation for graduate education, and social mobility. In addition, The Princeton Review’s annual guide, the Best 361 Colleges (2007) included Mills for the second year in a row among top U.S. institutions offering students an outstanding undergraduate education.

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.

PRESS CONTACT:
Deborah Dallinger
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925.788.9131