President DeCoudreaux presents a well-earned diploma; beaming graduates line up to receive their degrees.
The Senior Class Council initially set a
wanted to feel supported,” says class his-
coffee and instead put that money toward
participation goal of 30 percent, well above
torian Meaghan Leferink.
the campaign.
Mills’ alumnae participation rate, which has averaged 25 percent in recent years.
Senior Class President Jack Elliott feels
Leferink, a music major, wrote an origi-
the gift showed DeCoudreaux’s com-
nal song to promote the cause. With lyrics
“I was really nervous that they wouldn’t
mitment to students’ goals. “She was
that emphasize donating as a way to leave
get up to that level because it represented
grateful that we were working so hard,”
a legacy, the chorus appeals to the need
such a big leap forward,” says Elizabeth
says Elliott. “I really think that President
to give back: “We’re working for a scholar-
Coyle, associate director of alumnae out-
DeCoudreaux is a huge champion of
ship / Donate / In many convenient ways
reach, who served as staff support for the
Mills and its students.”
/ Donate / And show that a Mills educa-
campaign. “But the students were just so
In return, surpassing their participa-
tion pays.” She posted a video of the song
eager to make it work. They really blew it
tion goal shows students’ dedication to
on Facebook, where it scored hundreds
out of the water.”
the College, Elliott says. “We sent a mes-
of views. She also performed her song at
sage that Mills is worth something to us
fundraising events and at a thank you
she
and that it should be worth something to
reception for senior class donors hosted
offered to make a personal contribution
other people as well,” Elliott explains. “It
by President DeCoudreaux.
to the campaign based on the participa-
tells everyone else that they should pay
tion rate: $2,012 if the class met their 30
attention to Mills.”
President Alecia DeCoudreaux provided
further
motivation
when
“People thought it was hilarious. By the end, they were singing the chorus with
percent goal. “It was important to me to
From the beginning, the campaign
indicate to students that I supported their
was inclusive of all voices. The council
efforts and wanted to see them succeed,”
surveyed the class, asking for feedback
With all the success that the senior class
DeCoudreaux says.
on how to use the funds, then hosted an
had this year, they expect the tradition
“The challenge really got the students’
open forum where students could vote
will live on. “A standard has been set and
attention,” says Coyle. “It showed how
and share opinions about where the gift
the other classes are very much aware of
much their campaign was recognized and
should go.
it because the senior class did so much
me,” Leferink says. “That was a really awesome feeling.”
valued by the College.” The President’s
The class also reached out to students
bragging,” Tamayo says, adding that other
donation was also a tangible demonstra-
in new ways: Callender put together
classes have already responded to the chal-
tion of her dedication to students, many
Mills’ first ever YouTube solicitation, a
lenge by indicating that they intend to
of whom felt a sense of disillusionment
video of President DeCoudreaux offer-
surpass this year’s participation rate. “The
following staff layoffs in December. “We
ing her challenge gift. Another student,
Class of 2012 welcomes that,” Tamayo
all knew and experienced the fallout
Susan Summerfield, sent an email appeal
explains, “because every time the participa-
of the financial crisis, and we as a class
to every senior, asking them to forgo a
tion rate goes up, we are all winning.” ◆
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M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly