MILLS MATTERS
Chris Kramer Joins AAMC Staff The AAMC is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Kramer to the position of director of alumnae relations. Chris has extensive experience in event planning; as project manager for the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, she helped plan the national convention, held in San Francisco in 2005, which drew 1,200 participants.
She managed 250 volunteers, whom she says “were wonderful.” As co-director of the Red Cross’ Disaster Institute, she helped plan a training conference for 400 volunteers who provide aid during disasters of all kinds. The conference was held at Mills, which, according to Chris, “offered the best facility.” (The conference was not Chris’ first time on the Mills campus. As a girl, she took cello lessons from Bonnie Hampton at Mills.)
New Apartments on Campus Construction is well underway on new on-campus apartments to help accommodate record numbers of students at Mills. Beginning in August 2006, the Courtyard Townhouses will welcome nearly 100 upper-class undergraduate and graduate students 21 years of age and over. The new complex includes 21 apartments in three buildings. Students will choose from four-, five-, and six-bedroom units, each including a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living room with cable TV hook-up, and an adjoining dining room. In addition, high-speed and wireless Internet access, all utilities, laundry facilities, and parking will be provided. Designed by Pyatok Architects, the apartments are situated atop Prospect Hill near the main campus entrance. Many of the fully furnished suites offer inspiring Bay Area views via expansive windows.
Staff members at Reinhardt Alumnae House were surprised at the appearance of a TV crew from KTVU Chris Kramer during Chris’ second week of work. It turns out that Chris is an expert in dams and disaster preparedness. Because a dam had just failed in Hawaii, Channel Two’s science and health editor came to ask Chris about her research on Bay Area dams. (Chris’ master’s thesis is entitled “What If? . . . Preparedness for and Potential Impacts of Dam Failure in the Bay Area.”) Chris earned a master’s degree in geography from California State University, East Bay (Hayward), and a BA in environmental studies from CSU East Bay. Chris began college as an adult; previously she worked in the field of accounting and raised three sons, who are now all grown. She and her husband, Ron, live in Castro Valley.
Take Part in Your Alumnae Association
PEG SKORPINSKI
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M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY Spring 2006
Did you know that your membership in the Alumnae Association of Mills College costs nothing and comes with numerous benefits? If you completed at least one semester at Mills, and your class has graduated, you are considered an alumna or alumnus of the College, and are eligible to use the Mills College library, pool, and fitness center, and to receive discounts at some theater events and concerts on campus. All alums receive the Mills Quarterly free of