Mills Quarterly, Spring 2015

life

in

the

libr ary



all

about

elvis



alumna

trustee

elections

Mills Quarterly Spring 2015

Studying at Mills gave me the academic and emotional grit to take on challenges and to work toward my goals. “Strength” is what being a Mills alumna means to me. I give to the annual fund to help women find new strengths within themselves through Mills’ empowering and challenging environment.

Amber Nash ’10

behind every gift there is a story

Each gift to the College has a story—about a life-path discovered at Mills and followed into the world, about lifelong friendships and inspiring mentors, about a voice found or strengthened. These are the stories you make possible for future generations when you give to Mills. Each gift really does count: college assessors, including U.S. News & World

Report, consider graduates’ giving an important measure of a learning community’s excellence. Your gifts to Mills are a vote of confidence in the College’s future.

Give to the Mills College Annual Fund by calling 510.430.2366, picking up the phone when a student calls you, visiting alumnae.mills.edu/give, or returning the enclosed envelope.

6

10

14

Mills Quarterly

contents Spring 2015 2

The importance of dialogue

The ability to engage in productive discourse on difficult issues is a key element of a well-educated mind. As serious social topics make headlines across the nation, Mills students and alumnae use this skill to make positive, thoughtful change.

6

Checking out the librarian by Linda Schmidt

With unparalleled dedication to his profession and enthusiasm for the people he serves, Michael Beller makes the library a valuable, vital heart of campus.

10

Examining Elvis by Sarah Stevenson, MFA ’04

Not content with casual fandom, two alumnae elevate their interest in the rock’n’roll icon to become internationally recognized experts on his lasting cultural influence.

12

Alumna trustee election

Vote for your representative on the Mills College Board of Trustees and the AAMC Board of Governors. See your ballot on the inside back cover.

Departments 3

Mills Matters

14

Class Notes

23

In Memoriam

On the cover: Mills Librarian Michael Beller strikes a pose near the reference stacks. Beller was honored in December with this year’s Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award for demonstrating the critical role librarians play in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. Photo by Dana Davis.

A Message from the President of Mills College

The importance of dialogue

By Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

At Mills, we are deeply involved in the

versations, protests, and vigils to express

ongoing work of developing a curricu-

these concerns and demonstrate their

lum now that will prepare our graduates

support. Some members of the commu-

for the demands of the workplace and of

nity are actively involved in these activi-

civic life in the future. We are also con-

ties, while others support them as allies,

tinually strengthening our commitment

and still others feel excluded or uncer-

to inclusion and social justice.

tain as they consider the implications

Recent events have brought powerful

of these serious issues. In a world filled

reminders that these are not abstract

with unrest and intolerance for diversity

issues, and our College does not exist

or varying opinion, Mills can and should

in isolation. Mills students care deeply

be a model for how to engage in dia-

about what is going on in the world, in

logue with forethought, compassion, and

the local community, and on our cam-

knowledge.

pus. National movements such as Black

Each of us brings a unique perspec-

Lives Matter have brought into our pub-

tive to the issues that have prompted

lic dialogue questions about how far we

these movements around the country,

still have to go before African Americans,

and each of us can gain valuable insights

particularly African American men, will

from one another. By bringing our differ-

be embraced as full citizens of US society,

ent perspectives together and engaging

with all of the rights and responsibilities

in rich, robust dialogue, we can address

As our mission states, Mills educates

that go with that. The murder of Muslim

injustice in all environments. The willing-

students to think critically, to commu-

students in North Carolina was a horrify-

ness to listen and learn are vital in imple-

nicate responsibly and effectively, and

ing example of how intolerance and vio-

menting social change. We acknowledge

to acquire the knowledge and skills nec-

lence go hand in hand.

that we have black students at Mills

essary to effect thoughtful change in a

Our students are concerned about

who experience racism, transgender stu-

global, multicultural society. Throughout

themselves and with their own experi-

dents who feel disrespected, and Muslim

our strong liberal arts curriculum are

ences, and they also feel great empa-

students who are fearful because their

programs that promote an inclusive

thy—and even outrage—regarding the

Muslim brothers and sisters are threat-

approach and recognize the value of

experiences of friends, family members,

ened around the world. There are others,

cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity. I

and others around the country and

no doubt, who have also felt isolated and

am confident that this broad view of the

around the world who are facing rac-

intimidated due to their identity.

world serves our students well as they

ism and other injustices. They are strug-

Yet, we can and should be a source

gling to find appropriate and effective

of strength for one another; we should

responses to such events.

enlighten and support one another. We

And I see this put into effect in the lives

need to engage in the dialogue to get us

of alumnae, who carry the lessons of Mills

there.

with them into their ongoing roles as

As a result, members of our campus community have been engaged in con-

engage in society and become leaders who will make a positive difference.

leaders in business, politics, technology, arts, and education. They have learned

Join Us for Commencement May 16, 9:45 am, Holmgren Meadow

to make a statement in advocating for issues of importance. Their Mills education, which equally values understand-

Keynote address by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

ing, tolerance, and inclusivity, enlightens

AAMC annual meeting following the President’s reception, Reinhardt Alumnae House

students and alumnae alike as they enter into thoughtful dialogue which will bring about truly meaningful change.

2

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Mills Matters New vice president to enhance student life Chicora Martin is the new vice president for student life and dean of students.

Martin most recently served as assistant dean of students and director of LGBT education and support services at the University of Oregon.

In addition to her experience in staff leadership, budget oversight, and strategic planning, she excels in working collaboratively and fostering important relationships. At Oregon, she built partnerships with campus colleagues to address needs for recruitment, retention, and engagement of students of color; she also advanced the creation of gender-inclusive

Mills College Class of 2014: Where are they now?

Just a few months after last May’s Commencement, Mills College contacted its newest alumnae to find out how well their degrees are serving them.

Encouragingly, the vast majority have found gainful employment or are pursuing continuing education.

housing and ensured the inclusion of gender identity and gender

87%

expression in the university’s nondiscrimination clause. Her efforts were recognized with the university’s Faculty/Staff Award for enhancing

are employed or pursuing further education

the lives of students as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for promoting cultural diversity and racial justice.

Martin holds a PhD in educational leadership from Colorado State University and an MS in higher education from Florida State University.

Employed 64%

She has previously held positions at Tallahassee Community College,

Further education

23%

Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida State University, and East

Still working on it

6%

Carolina University.

Taking time off

4%

“Chicora’s commitment to ensuring a dynamic campus culture and an

Other 3%

exceptional student experience will serve her well as she assumes her new

64%

role,” said President Alecia DeCoudreaux. Martin joined the campus community on February 23.

f those in school o are seeking master’s or doctoral degrees Volume CIII Number 3  Spring 2015 President: Alecia A. DeCoudreaux Chief of Staff and Vice President for Communications and External Relations: Renée Jadushlever Editor: Linda Schmidt Design and Art Direction: Nancy Siller Wilson

Master’s degree program Doctoral degree program

20%

certificate program Other program/second

16%

bachelor’s degree

54%

Editorial Assistance: Russell Schoch The Mills Quarterly (USPS 349-900) is published quarterly by Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, California, and at additional mailing office(s). Postmaster: Send address changes to the Office of Institutional Advancement, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

took jobs in nonprofit organizations or government

Copyright © 2015, Mills College

Printed on recycled paper containing 10 percent post-consumer waste.

8%

Post-baccalaureate

Contributing Writers: Sarah Stevenson, MFA ’04

Address correspondence to Mills Quarterly, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613. Email: quarterly@mills.edu  Phone: 510.430.3312

56%

Private business

36%

Nonprofit organization

40%

Federal, state, or local

14%

government Other 10% (Please use outline)

SPRING 2015

3

Foundation grants and individual giving build College resources Mills College gratefully acknowledges

tion of Linda Borick ’74, made a gift to

the following gifts, grants, and pledges

support the Dance Department.

of $50,000 or more received between

Trustee Barbara Ahmajan Wolfe ’65

Peter Aron made a gift through the J. Aron Charitable Foundation in memory of his mother, Jane Baerwald Aron ’37, who

directed a gift to support Mills market-

would have celebrated her 100th birthday

ing initiatives to help increase enroll-

last year. This gift will enable the Mills

made a grant to support school-wide

ment. Another member of Mills’ Board

College Art Museum to improve its painting

lesson study under the direction of

of Trustees, Mei Kwong ’70, and her

storage facilities.

Catherine Lewis, distinguished research

husband, Laurence Franklin, made a

scholar at the School of Education. This

contribution through the Morris S. Smith

Jacklyn Davidson Burchill ’44 contributed to

project will help enact the ambitious

Foundation that will be directed to vari-

Mills’ Greatest Need. Additional gifts to this

instructional vision of the Common Core

ous funds in the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate

fund were designated by Betty and Gordon

Standards Initiative. School-wide lesson

School of Business as well as to Mills’

Moore as well as by Anne Baker ’78 and

study will begin with a network of ele-

Greatest Need.

Chris Rowen.

July 1 and December 31, 2014.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

mentary and middle schools in Oakland,

March Fong Eu, MA ’47, opened a

Shortly before she passed away in January,

Susan Penick ’71 made a matching gift

San Francisco, and Chicago; it will later

charitable gift annuity that will one day

challenge pledge to increase giving to the

expand to include additional partners.

support Mills’ Public Policy Program.

Mills College Annual Fund at the Cyrus and

An anonymous donor added to a fund

Susan Mills Society level. Cristina Campbell

and the Stuart Foundation both

to enhance the study of Chinese lan-

’70 created the Margarita Larrabure

renewed their support of the School

guage at the College. Joyce Root Barnier

Campbell Scholarship, named for her

of Education’s Mills Teacher Scholars

’46 created the Joyce Root Barnier

mother, with a pledge. Martha Fuller

Program through new grants. The

Scholarship for students in the Division

Clark ’64 pledged her support of the Class

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation provided

of Natural Sciences. The late Alba

of 1964 Fund for Continuing Students.

a grant to enable Mills to strengthen

Witkin contributed to the Mills College

The College added a distribution from

the College’s humanities curriculum

Children’s School Scholarship Fund as

the estate of Robert A. Dhaemers and Grace

through language study. The Louis L.

well as the Children’s School Preschool

“Ty” Searing Dhaemers ’62 to the Robert

Borick Foundation, the family founda-

and Infant Care Program Assistantship.

A. Dhaemers Scholarship Fund.

The Walter and Elise Haas Fund

College trustees appoint two expert members Two new members of the Mills College Board of Trustees have been approved, each for a three-year term that began in February 2015.

Yolanda Gonzalez, vice president of human resources at Matson Navigation Company since 2004, has a broad and diverse knowledge of human resource management gained through more than 35 years’ HR experience in high-tech, start-up, and corporate environments. She holds a BA in psychology from Occidental College and an MA in higher and adult education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Gonzalez serves on the contributions committee of the Matson Foundation and is an advisory board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland and the University of Hawaii’s Master in Human Resources Management. She also is a member of the board of directors of the Hawaii Theater Center in Honolulu and chairs their Education Committee.

Bob Thompson holds a bachelors degree in economics and an MBA from Stanford University.

He has worked in institutional fixed income sales for Salomon Brothers, Lehman Brothers, and Drexel Burnham Lambert and currently serves as a vice president at Dodge & Cox, where his focus is on fixed income securities management. In his commitment to give back to the communities where he lives and works, he currently chairs the Investment Committee of the Girl Scouts of Northern California as well as the Financial Advisory Committee for the city of Orinda, is on the board and finance committee of the United Way of the Bay Area, and serves on the investment committees for several local churches.

4

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Campus kudos A selection of recent achievements by faculty, staff, and students Carlota Caulfield, professor and head

Professor of

of Spanish and Spanish American

Geochemistry and

Studies, has received a visiting fellow-

Environmental

ship at the University of Barcelona for

Geology Kristina

her work on Catalan topics. During

Faul is featured

the month-long fellowship she will

in Women in

speak at the University, lead a student

Oceanography:

workshop, and have access to resources

A Decade Later, the Oceanography

at different Barcelona institutions.

Society’s recent report on the progress

Caulfield is the co-editor of Barcelona:

women have made in the field over

Visual Culture, Space and Power

the last 10 years. Faul gives one of 200

(University of Wales Press, 2012),

auto-biographical sketches providing

a fully illustrated volume providing

an overview of oceanographic research,

Scheinberg published the essay,

fresh insights into the changing urban

the rewards and challenges of her

“‘And we are not what they have been’:

space of Barcelona. She also is an

career, and how she balances work

Anglo-Jewish Woman Poets, 1839-1923,”

award-winning author of 11 books

and personal life. She notes that her

in the new volume Jewish Women

of poems.

role over the course of her career has

Writers in Britain (Wayne State

changed “from aspiring researcher

University Press, 2014).

Susan Marchant, MA ’79, professor

From left: Carlota Caulfield, Kristina Faul, Cynthia Scheinberg

Professor of English Cynthia

and student supervisor in child life at the

to teacher and mentor of a new genera-

School of Education, has been awarded

tion of women and other under-

Assistant Professor of Studio Art Yulia

the Distinguished Service Award for

represented groups in science.”

Pinkusevich in collaboration with Sam

A sculptural seating design created by

2015 by the Child Life Council in recog-

J. Chinyere Oparah, professor and

nition of her outstanding contributions

head of the Ethnic Studies department,

piece of the lobby in the new McMurtry

to the field. Prior to teaching at Mills,

has been appointed scholar-in-residence

Art and Art History Building at Stanford

Marchant spent 28 years in a series of

at UC Berkeley’s Beatrice Bain Research

University. Pinkusevich’s kinetic sculp-

clinical and management positions at

Group, which supports research on

ture Polyscape is on view through April

Children’s Hospital and Research Center

gender in its intersections with various

19 as part of the “Everybody’s Ocean”

Oakland, where she was the key driver

identities. She also has been invited to

exhibition at the Santa Cruz Museum

in opening the hospital’s first Family

serve on the National Working Group of

of Art; this spring she is mounting a solo

Resource Center.

the Critical Ethnic Studies Association.

exhibition at Basement Gallery Oakland.

Calendar Mills Music Now April 3–4  X Sound Festival April 18  Mills Performing Group: Music by Rozalie Hirs All events start at 8:00 pm (unless otherwise noted) in the Littlefield Concert Hall. $15 general, $10 senior and non-Mills students, free to alumnae with AAMC card. See musicnow.mills.edu or contact Steed Cowart at 510.430.2334 or steed@mills.edu.

Cuttriss will be installed as the center-

Mills College Art Museum March 31–April 19  Senior Thesis Exhibition May 3–31  MFA Thesis Exhibition For more information, see mcam.mills.edu or contact 510.430.2164 or museum@mills.edu. The museum is open 11:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am–7:30 pm Wednesday, and is closed Monday.

Admission is free.

Save the date for Reunion 2015 September 24–27, Convocation on September 25

Songlines Series April 6  Mark Applebaum: The Stanford composer presents recent

Celebrating alumnae from class years ending in 0 or 5, including the Golden Alumnae of 1965. All alumnae are welcome.

works on the fringe of musical ontology.

All events start at 7:30 pm in the Ensemble Room. Admission is free.

For information see musicnow.mills.edu or contact John Bischoff at 510.430.2332 or jbischoff@mills.edu.

A Reunion schedule and registration form will be mailed in early summer to alumnae in reunioning classes. For further information, contact the Mills College Office of Alumnae Relations: alumnaerelations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123.

SPRING 2015

5

Michael Beller has been honored several times by students as an invited guest to the Pearl M dinner, the Athletics Awards Banquet, and the Ethnic Studies lunch. He was made an honorary member of the Class of 2009 and given a Pearl M at the time, one of the highest honors that Mills students can bestow on faculty or staff. He was also the yearbook advisor for several years, and can be found in a studentproduced YouTube video, dancing with a favorite book in the library stacks to the Pharrell tune Happy.

6 

In December, he was one of 10 librarians selected from among 1,000 nominees nationwide to receive this year’s Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Checking out the librarian A teacher, mentor, and friend to students and faculty, Michael Beller enriches campus life both academically and socially

By Linda Schmidt  Photos by Dana Davis

M

ichael Beller is a man who wears many hats—or many

games that took advantage of the location, like tailing other

ties, as anyone who has entered the Olin Library

patrons undetected or searching for the oldest book on the

at Mills in the past decade knows. The head refer-

shelves. “That’s how I began to be really excited by libraries

ence librarian, he assists faculty members seeking

and to believe that there was magic coming from books,” says

resources to support their coursework, students

Beller. He counts The Phantom Tollbooth and From the Mixed-up

learning to navigate their way through research databases, and

Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler among the books that influ-

anyone who needs a good book recommendation.

enced his young mind—books that hinge on the adventure of

He’s equally well known for his notable fashion sense. Owner

learning.

of more than 50 bow ties, Beller describes his style as a loose

When he reached college, another book changed the course

fusion of Oscar Wilde, classic vintage, and ’80s New Wave. “I am

of his life. As a history major at the University of Oregon, Beller

a big fan of not being bored by my clothes. Any sort of way I can

acquired a 1603 edition of the Survey of London, written by John

fancify or put on something that makes me smile is going to put

Stow and first printed in 1598. The book describes the capital

me into a better mood,” he says. “And it also lets people know I

city’s people, buildings, social conditions, and customs in detail

don’t take myself all that seriously!”

and with humor. “I had never held something that old in my life!

That good-natured approachability is an essential part of his effectiveness. “Michael’s always very kind and generous with his

It was an incredible moment when, all of a sudden, history came alive,” says Beller. “I just fell in love with that book!”

time and advice,” says Hai Thom Tran Sota ’07, who held a work-

To learn more about the proper care of the ancient volume,

study position in the library while majoring in art history at Mills.

Beller met with the university’s head of special collections—and

“He’s so gracious and always smiling, and I think that’s a major

then spent the rest of his undergraduate years volunteering

reason he has such great rapport with students and faculty.”

in the library. He went on to earn a library degree at San Jose

“A lot of people coming to Mills may have used libraries but

State University and worked in the library system at Stanford

not librarians,” Beller notes. “Part of my job is to make people

University for eight years before becoming reference librarian at

comfortable with the idea of librarians—to know that we don’t

Mills in 2002. “I found my home,” he says with glee, “and have

bite or judge people. I want everybody to come in to the library

refused to leave since then.”

and feel welcome.”



His genuine excitement is evident in his daily interactions with students and faculty.

“No topic seems too obscure for him to quickly recommend

Beller’s life in the library began early on. As a child, he and his

an effective research strategy,” says Mark Henderson, professor

sister spent countless hours in the main library at UC Berkeley,

of public policy. “Michael has an infectious enthusiasm for every

where their mother was doing research as a graduate student

student’s research topic. I have studied and taught at other insti-

in art history. The siblings wandered the stacks and made up

tutions with some of the world’s largest library collections, but SPRING 2015

7

my students are better off at Mills with Michael as their guide to the wide world of information.”

In his work behind the reference desk, Beller is the primary guide for students learning to do research and utilize resources. He can point to overlooked but valuable databases and explain the value in physically scanning the stacks. He also teaches Library Resources and Methods, a course that introduces students to the basics of library research, and is a frequent classroom speaker, tailoring presentations to the specific needs of a class.

“All of us in the library want to be as integrated as possible in the academic process,” Beller says.

“There needs to be a seamless connection between people and their resources.”

“He employs creative and unforgettable examples to demonstrate research concepts,” says Acting Provost Dave Donahue. “While he’s explaining how to use the library’s subscription databases to examine the history of polka dots, for example, students’ attention might be

“Information is always going to be flawed because the people who create it are flawed. There’s a lot of bias out there.”

enhanced by the fact that he happens to be wearing a polka dot shirt and tie.”

 While Beller is passionate about connecting scholars with the most appropriate resources, he’s also adamant

gathered and manipulated, to who is using it and how they are

about the need to critically evaluate sources of information.

using it. It comes down to being an aware and responsible infor-

“Information is always going to be flawed because the people

mation producer, and being an aware and responsible informa-

who create it are flawed,” he says. Cultivating a discerning atti-

tion consumer.”

tude towards that information is paramount, he adds, whether

For many of today’s students, who have grown up with Google

one is gathering data to inform a class thesis or determining how

and, seemingly, the entire world of information at their finger-

to vote in an election.

tips, learning how to interpret and use information is a neces-

He points to Stow’s Survey of London to illustrate the point.

sary life skill. “Internet searches are not completely objective,”

While the author paints an incredible picture of what was

Beller says. Search results are influenced by a user’s previous his-

going on in Elizabethan London, he explains, John Stow was

tory, choice of search terms, and personal expectations. “If you

not a working-class man, and his social status gives rise to cer-

already have an idea about the way the world is, you’re going to

tain biases. “There’s a lot of bias out there,” Beller says, “on the

find a lot of people on a lot of message boards that feel exactly

Internet, on television, in journals—in any sort of environment,

the way you do; you’re not going to be exposed to exploring

even an academic environment.”

other ideas. It’s an echo chamber.”

Beller has been deeply involved with efforts to assess and

Beller counsels students to gather as wide a range of informa-

improve the effectiveness of campus-wide approaches to devel-

tion as possible, then look for clues that reveal how a source may

oping students’ information literacy, and has spent much of the

be weak, inappropriate, outdated, or emotionally charged. The

last academic year investigating new curriculum for the College’s

ability to adjust one’s opinions and beliefs is equally important.

introductory course for new students. As a result of his findings,

“I’ve seen people come in to do research and get exposed to a

the faculty also are increasingly embedding information literacy

new idea, a new concept, or a new context for their subject that

concepts into upper-level courses.

has more weight and strength and truth to it than what they

“Information literacy means understanding information in all

started with. Any time you do a search, that’s the experience

of its stages,” he says, “from who is producing it, how it is being

you should hope for,” he says. “Even if you’re on the right track,

8

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

“It’s important to me to see our students succeed academically, and then to see them go out and really effect change.”

eventually, Beller’s encouragement convinced her to pursue her master’s degree in library science. Last year, she was named director of the library at Samuel Merritt University, which partners with the Mills nursing program. She echoes Beller’s thoughts on the rewards of librarianship: “I find my work in the library is a way to pay it forward, especially to student populations that didn’t grow up with libraries as part of their everyday experience. It’s gratifying to help those students who may feel a little lost,” says Sota. “In addition, I don’t have a biology degree, but I know that my behindthe-scenes work with our nursing students will, in turn, provide better care for a patient down the line.”

And Beller envisions the library as the lively you’re never at the end point. There’s always something more

heart of campus, where people come for entertainment, social

that can bring you closer to truth.”

interaction, and relaxation. He’s been instrumental in converting



the rarely-used former microfiche room into small-group study spaces and developing a student lounge to expand the uses of

Information literacy and academic excellence are serious and

the building, though he’s quick to share his accolades: “The

weighty topics, but they are only half of the story. Much of

entire library staff is involved in a lot of the things I’m credited

Michael Beller’s effectiveness comes not only from his unfail-

for. Everyone here contributes an awful lot.”

ing good humor, enthusiasm, and accessibility, but also from his

“Michael and the staff always tried to balance the library as a

strong commitment to the mission and diversity of the College.

place for study and research as well as a place to have a good

“The wide variety of people who come through Mills—from

time,” says Sota. “The library was critical to my success as an

Bent Twigs to first-generation college students—and the different

undergrad, but it’s also a great place to meet friends, find great

ways of thinking that come from their varied experiences make

fiction or cookbooks or DVDs, or just decompress from being a

my job challenging and also a lot of fun,” he says. “People here

student.”

are strong thinkers, very independent and creative. They want to

Beller values the qualities of an enjoyable novel and the plea-

affect the world in positive ways. It’s important to me to see our

sures of popular culture, so he is as likely to recommend a per-

students succeed academically, and then to see them go out and

fect book for recreational reading as to direct students to the

really affect change, to bring about good things in their commu-

most appropriate database. And he reminds alumnae in the area

nities. At Mills, we know we’re making a difference in the world,

that they still have library privileges and can check out books or

and that makes every day meaningful.”

videos, or are welcome to bring their kids in to use the library.

Hai Thom Tran Sota, one of several former work study stu-

“The library can really be a lifestyle,” he says. “One aspect

dents now working as a library professional, can attest to the

of information literacy is the idea of being a lifelong learner,

multiplying effect of Beller’s influence. She pieced together

always adding to your knowledge,” he says. “The library is a

part-time jobs at three different libraries after graduation and,

part of that.” ◆ SPRING 2015

9

Elvis

Examining

Two alumnae are experts on the “king of rock’n’roll”— and aficionados of the people who adore him

by Sarah Stevenson, MFA ’04

10

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

I

s there such a thing as the “average Elvis fan”? Is it Paul MacLeod, who filled his two-story antebellum home in Holly Springs, Misssissippi, with a hoard of Elvis Presley memorabilia and dubbed it “Graceland Too”? Perhaps it’s Phyllis Presley, who changed her name in the King’s honor and receives regular visits from the ghost of Elvis—a ghost who leaves the toilet seat up.

M’Liz Hancock Hinds ’67 and Marjorie Montgomery Wilkinson ’67 have met countless Elvis fans of every stripe in their 20 years attending the annual Elvis Week gathering and celebration at Elvis’ mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. As it turns out, the “average fan” might be as elusive as the ghost of the King himself.

Hinds admits to falling for Elvis when she was 11 years old, “on a Sunday night in September” when he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. When she met Wilkinson, they were undergraduates living in Olney Hall. They both loved rock and roll, but they didn’t indulge their mutual Elvis fandom until much later.

By 1993, Hinds was communications director for a member of Congress (she is currently retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District), and Wilkinson was a probate and estate planning paralegal—“really serious jobs,” Hinds recalls.

Making the pilgrimage to Graceland for Elvis Week, the friends decided, would be fun and different; something they could both check off their bucket list.

That one-time fling turned into a lifelong affection for Elvis—and for his fans, a diverse group that includes academics and celebrities as well as eccentrics and outsider artists.

“We just fell in love with the Elvis world,” Hinds says.

Wilkinson agrees. “August in Memphis is like a family reunion for us,” she says.

It also provides her with the chance to bring home a little piece of the Elvis mystique: over time, she has amassed a collection of handmade, heartfelt Elvis tributes by untrained artists, including a three-dimensional needlepoint of Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding cake.

“People’s first words upon entering my home are usually, ‘Oh, you are an Elvis fan?’” Wilkinson says. Surprisingly, the answer is no. “I’m really a fan of Elvis fans.

They are a fascinating and diverse group of people who defy any attempt to categorize them.”

Elvis, she says, provides something for everyone, and that’s part of his enduring appeal.

“Elvis is alive and well in academia and is being used as a gateway for studying American culture, race, class, sex, religion, and life. He was a catalyst for change,” says Wilkinson. “Elvis had a huge impact on music, of course, but he also influenced so many other aspects of our lives, more so than any other musician. You don’t know what kind of sandwich Frank Sinatra liked or what Roy Orbison’s house was named or what kind of car Mick Jagger drives, do you?”

After Presley died in 1977, at the young age of 42, it became even easier to mythologize him. By now, he has pervaded the American consciousness to such an extent that well over a thousand books have been written about him. In order to document the breadth of his influence, Hinds herself authored Infinite Elvis, an annotated bibliography that includes doctoral dissertations, classroom curricula, and even novels in which Elvis is a fictional character.

A historian by training—she majored in American civilization at Mills—Hinds has long been interested in the idea of how and why Elvis became such an icon.

“The thesis of my book is that you can measure the influence of a celebrity on a culture by looking at what was written about him,” she says. When you look at the myriad of areas Presley influenced, she says, you begin to understand why he was so famous.

Of course, to truly document the Elvis phenomenon, one must go beyond the talent and down-to-earth charm of the man himself and touch on the deeper cultural and sociological roots of his popularity.

In other words, studying the impact of Elvis also means getting to know his fans.

“We have met the head of the Law School at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, the director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, a professor at the University of Iowa who taught a course on Elvis (and was formerly the Finance Minister for Ugandan President Idi Amin), several professors who teach American M’Liz Hancock Hinds and Marjorie Montgomery Wilkinson at the 2014 candlelight Vigil Ceremony held at Graceland on the night before the anniversary of Elvis’ death. They have carried the same decorated candle holders each year since 1993.

Opposite: A folk art quilt, one of the hundreds of Elvis-inspired works in Wilkinson’s collection.

studies in Japan, the religion correspondent for the BBC, the last person to make it over the Berlin Wall who had been jailed by the Stasi for his love of Elvis, a professor in Finland who translated Elvis songs into Latin, Condoleezza Rice’s press secretary… and Prince Mongo of the Planet Zambodia, who actually used to play racquetball with Elvis and who runs (alas unsuccessfully) for mayor of Memphis in every election,” Wilkinson says.

Not only has Elvis scholarship facilitated some unexpected friendships for Hinds and Wilkinson, it has brought them into the limelight as Elvis experts: they have been featured in news stories, documentaries, and conferences, and have served as Elvis consultants for news outlets ranging from NBC to the BBC as well as to the Smithsonian Institution.

Ultimately, though, Elvis Presley’s appeal is more than just academic.

“He was a crossover figure for bringing African American music into the mainstream,” Hinds points out. “He brought young people of all races together without even realizing the importance of what he was doing. And he became one of the first truly American pop icons in an era of profound change.

“He was like a bridge, and we crossed it.” ◆

SPRING 2015

11

Susan Ardisson ’77 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Education: BA in government, Mills College, 1977; JD, University of San Francisco School of Law, 1983; Fellow, Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh Entrepreneurial Fellows Program, 2013.

Employment: Founder and CEO of bit-x-bit, LLC, a computer forensic, e-discovery, and incident response consulting company.

elect your

Alumna Trustee one of the three women described on these pages will be your next alumna trustee. Help determine who it will be by taking part in this important election to ensure that alumnae continue to provide a strong voice in the leadership of the College.

Serving for three years (July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2018) as a full member of both the Mills College Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors of the AAMC, this alumna trustee will help ensure that alumnae are well represented in the leadership of the College by conveying the views of the AAMC board to the College board. She will join continuing alumnae trustees Melissa Stevenson Diaz ’91 and Judith James ’74. We also offer our thanks to Molly Fannon Williams ’75, who is concluding her 2013–15 term.

Note: We now offer two ways to vote—by paper ballot or online at the Mills College online Alumnae Community (a simple registration is required if you are not already a member of the online Alumnae Community). See detailed instructions on how to cast your vote on the inside back cover of this magazine!

Whether you vote online or by paper ballot, only one vote per alumna will be accepted. Any alumna casting multiple votes will invalidate all of their votes.

All voting must be completed and received at Reinhardt Alumnae House by 5:00 pm (PST) on Friday, May 8.

Volunteer experience: Mentor, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Chatham University, 2013–present; Allegheny County Bar Association, co-chair Technology and E-Discovery Committee, 2010–present; Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children, 2006–2007; multiple volunteer positions (fundraising and administrative) related to my nowadult children’s education and activities.

How has Mills affected your life? Although it’s been 38 years since graduation, I continue to appreciate the remarkable impact of a Mills education on my life. Many of the capabilities and strengths that I use every day in my personal and work lives derive from the foundation of a Mills education. At Mills, I learned that I could do anything that I set out to accomplish.

I found my way to Mills in 1973 from a farm in Pennsylvania, leaving home for the third time to stay with family for the summer in Berkeley. Nearing the end of the summer, I realized that I didn’t want to return home and attend the University of West Virginia—the only school I had applied to for college. My aunt, a teacher, would only allow me to stay if I could enroll in a “good” college. Fortunately, Mills accepted me. After declaring myself independent from my parents (who divorced my first semester at Mills), I received two full academic scholarships, work study assistance, and graduated with honor in government. I know that my story is not unique among Mills students.

How do you view the future of Alumnae Association and its relationship with the College? Strong and unique institutions like Mills have sustaining and vital relationships with alumnae.

To develop and institute dynamic strategic planning initiatives, we need to understand the College’s past and what our students face as they seek careers and professions. The AAMC is the perfect foundation for this purpose as its members represent the past, present, and the future. Mills’ strategic plan— Preparation of Students for the 21st Century—will be successful with the commitment and dedication of the AAMC.

What are your hopes and expectations for the future of Mills College? My hope is that Mills will continue to excel as a women’s college, develop future leaders, and provide educational and scholarship opportunities for students in need. The ability to lead in the now-global educational arena will set Mills apart nationally and internationally. Mills has always been at the forefront of the needs of its students with the commitment of strong and diverse alumnae. I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of Mills’ 21st-century leadership.

12

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Elizabeth Kelley ’86

Samira Kirmiz ’98

Spokane, Washington / New York, New York

Sunnyvale, California

Education: BA in English/

molecular biology, Mills College, 1998; MD, University of California, San Diego, 2003; Endocrinology fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles–West LA VA, 2009.

French, Mills College, 1986; MA, University of Chicago; JD, Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Employment: Criminal defense attorney specializing in representing people with disabilities.

Volunteer experience: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: board member, 2006–present; chair, Membership and Mental Health Committees; President’s Leadership Awards, 2012 and 2013; named to NACDL– United Nations legal training mission to Liberia, 2009 and 2014. Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington: board member and co-chair of Development Committee, present. Past board service: Center for Mental Retardation, Hopewell, and Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

AAMC/Mills College involvement: Mills class secretary, 2011– present; ASMC president, 1985–1986.

How has Mills affected your life? Every single day, in ways large and small, I remember who I am and what I represent.

Because of an outstanding liberal arts education plus the leadership opportunities offered on a human-scale campus, I gained the skills and confidence to succeed in a predominately male-dominated profession.

How do you view the future of Alumnae Association and its relationship with the College? The value of our Mills diplomas is directly proportional to the strength of the current student body—and vice versa. Therefore, it is vital that the AAMC work with the administration to ensure that the College remains on long-term, stable financial footing in order to recruit and retain a strong, diverse student body.

Moreover, the AAMC and, in particular, the alumna trustees, can do a good deal by regularly and frequently communicating with the alumnae body. This should be done through a variety of media, including individual, in-person contact.

Wherever we live and work, we all want to help our alma mater, not only through contributions, and our input should be sought.

Education: BA in biochemistry and

Employment: Endocrinologist, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Mountain View, California.

Volunteer experience: RotaCare clinic in Mountain View, California, providing care to patients without insurance; advisory capacity on care of endocrine patients to improve patient quality. Member, PAMF Communication Committee.

Site lead for quality metrics in Endocrine Department for Gould Medical Group.

AAMC involvement: Mills ambassador 1995–1998; Alumna speaking at Mills to current students about medical school; Member, Palo Alto Area Mills College Club.

How has Mills affected your life? I owe everything to Mills College. As the daughter of a shoe repairman and homemaker, my attending college was a family dream, fueled by the love of learning instilled by my parents. Through Mills’ generous financial aid program, I had an amazing opportunity to attend Mills. I benefitted not only from an amazing education, which helped fulfill my dream of becoming a physician, but also made friendships for life.

How do you view the future of the AAMC and its relationship with the College? The only constant in life is change, and I view the role of the AAMC as one which is based on a strong relationship with the College as key to a successful future for both entities. The AAMC brings together the resources of the alumnae to provide for the success of current Mills students and the College, and through this we all benefit.

What are your hopes and expectations for the future of Mills College? The small classes and supportive professors at Mills College enabled me to achieve my dreams. I want to ensure that this environment continues to inspire and fulfill the dreams of future Mills students. I owe everything to the opportunities provided by Mills. I would be honored to be able to give back to the College as an alumna trustee.

What are your hopes and expectations for the future of Mills College? That future generations of Mills women love the College as much as I do, and that they will realize that the power of a Mills education is that it truly begins once we graduate.

SPRING 2015

13

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of Mills Quarterly.

Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College alumnae community.

To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills. edu.

Class Notes do not appear in the online edition of the Mills Quarterly.

Alumnae are invited to share their news with classmates in the Mills College Alumnae Community, alumnae.mills.edu. To submit notes for publication in the next available Quarterly, send your update to classnotes@mills.edu.

In Memoriam Notices of death received before December 12, 2014 To submit listings, please contact alumnae-relations@mills.edu or 510.430.2123

Alumnae Helen Gilman Hurlbut Rutherford ’38, February 26, 2014, in Fountain Hills, Arizona. She raised her family in New York, where she taught the girls’ confirmation class at the Bronxville Reformed Church for nearly 20 years, led a Brownie troop, took art classes, and loved working in the garden. She is survived by three children and 10 grandchildren.

Peggy Lutgens Gannon ’40, November 3, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A longtime resident of Sonoma County, she had a passion for ocean travel and writing; she authored a book based on an 1850s family diary detailing a journey to Hawaii. She is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, and her niece, Judith Nurse Schaeffer ’63.

Louise Shumway Muhler ’41, November 20, in Oakland, California. She was an ESL teacher for adults, a member of Montclair Presbyterian Church, a docent in the natural history wing of the Oakland Museum, and active with the Alumni Association of Mills College. She is survived by four children and five grandchildren, including Tamara Muhler ’97.

Margaret Porter MacKenzie ’42, March 7, 2013, in Volcano, Hawaii. She was a homemaker and member of Noe Noe Golf Club. She is survived by three children and eight grandchildren.

Irina Obolianinoff Prischepenko ’42, May 16, in Brooklyn, New York.

Born in Russia and raised in China, she served as director of Parson’s Nursery School in Flushing, New York; a Head Start program in Harlem; and the East Manhattan School for Bright and Gifted Children. She is survived by her daughter and a granddaughter.

Marnelle Filippini Cripe ’43, December 16, in Micanopy, Florida. She was a lifelong volunteer promoting children’s health, students, and literacy efforts and, in 2010, earned the Museum Service Award of the State of Florida for her work with the Micanopy Historical Museum. Her husband of 71 years, Wyland, died December 28; she is survived by five daughters, including Kirsti Cripe Rauser ’74, and four grandchildren.

Barbara Streeter O’Shaughnessy ’44, September 20, in Midland, Texas.

She was active with St. Ann’s Church and School and the Midland Community Theatre, and served on the boards of several charitable foundations. She is survived by six children and 18 grandchildren.

Annette Bercut Lust ’45, February 20, 2013, in San Francisco. She was a professor of French at Dominican College, author of From the Greek Mimes to Marcel Marceau and Beyond, and founder of the Fringe of Marin theater festival.

Margaret Garliepp Sideroff ’46, September 29, in San Rafael, California. She was a nurse and teacher in Hawaii before returning to the mainland in 1953. She continued to work at convalescent hospitals until 1987 and enjoyed bridge and gambling. She is survived by her husband, Bob; three children; and a grandson.

Betty Stine Eckerson ’47, March 3, 2013, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is survived by two children and five grandchildren.

Marilyn Steinmetz Lynch ’47, October 6, in Portland, Oregon. She was a master gardener and a devoted supporter of Dogs for the Deaf, which gifted her with her beloved dog, Tanner. She is survived by her daughters Susan Lynch ’72 and Sandy Lynch McQueen’74, MA ’80, as well as a son and a grandson.

Marjorie Duffy Fairlee ’47, November 20, in Fort Bragg, California. She was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and past president of the Sorosis Club. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Bryan; three children; and six grandchildren.

Vivian Stephenson, chair of the Mills College Board of Trustees from 2000– 2009, November 14, in San Francisco.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Stephenson graduated from New York University and earned an MBA from the University of Havana. She worked as chief operating officer for Williams Sonoma Inc. and as executive vice president and chief information officer for Target Corporation; she served the community through her efforts as chair of the board of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and on the Pangea Global AIDS Foundation. A sculptor, photographer, and opera lover, she also served on the board of the San Francisco Opera Association and was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Mills College in 2005. She is survived by her wife, Margarita Gandia, and many family members.

Sarah “Redi” Elliott Leake ’48, December 5, in Granby, Connecticut.

She started her career as an early childhood educator at the American School for the Blind and attended South Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday School and served as a deacon. She leaves five children and 14 grandchildren.

Carol Ellen Fingeroth Roth ’48, June 21, 2012, in San Mateo, California.

Barbara Fankhauser Butzbach ’50, MA ’93, December 3, in Lafayette, California. Survivors include her husband, Harold.

Joan “Josie” Rosenthal Block ’51, October 8, in Fremont, California.

She was a devoted mother and volunteer with Candle Lighters, Beta Sigma Phi, and Temple Beth Torah Sisterhood. She leaves four children and 10 grandchildren.

Janis Botts Camper ’51, November 26, in Lodi, California. She taught PE at Alameda High School and established Earth Shelter Developers and California Paver companies with her husband. She is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Ann McDougal Carey ’51, December 17, in Philadelphia. She was a teacher with an interest in children with reading difficulties and was instrumental in opening the Trinity Cooperative Day Nursery and the local A Better Chance house. She is survived by her husband, William; three daughters; and three grandchildren.

Harriet “Bunny” Millikin Chafee ’51, June 22, 2014, in Providence, Rhode Island. A longtime resident of Barrington and Little Compton, she was a member of the Agawam Hunt and Sakonnet Golf Clubs as well as the RI Women’s Golf Association. She leaves two sons and two grandchildren.

Meredith Morrill Neill ’51, September 17, in Weed, California. She played piano at the local convalescence hospital, was active in the Weed Bridge Club, and was an avid fan of the Giants and ’49ers.

She is survived by four sons and five grandchildren.

Dianne Lafferty Carle ’53, September 19, in Palm Springs, California. She had a 36-year elementary school teaching career in the South Bay area and Santa Rosa, acquiring Spanish language skills to communicate with her bilingual students and their families. In retirement, she and her husband became charter members of the Russian River Valley Winegrower’s Association. She is survived by two sons, two grandsons, two step-grandchildren, and her sister, Colene Lafferty Ingraham ’56.

Ellen Wechsler Wiest ’53, October 1, in Santa Monica, California.

An accomplished potter, she taught ceramics at the McBurney Westside School and the United Nations International School in New York. She is survived by her husband, Gil; three sons; and three grandchildren.

SPRING 2015

23

Gifts in Memory of Eleanor Dougall Hall ’55, October 5, in Tucson, Arizona. She earned her RN degree at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco and lived in several countries before moving to Tucson. She enjoyed church, theater, sports, animals, and photography. She is survived by her husband, Neel; five children; and three grandchildren.

Received September 1–November 30, 2014

Antonia “Toni” Cozzone Astor ’56, October 12, in Santa Ana, California. She appeared as a dancer in films including The King and I and The Pajama Game, as well as on TV and in night clubs.

Survivors include her husband, Art; three children; and nine grandchildren.

Ann Doubilet Alves ’64 by Eleanor Sims ’64

Phyllis Rawlins Drayton ’58, December 12, in Newport Beach, California. She was a tireless community volunteer, member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and longtime supporter of Mills.

Survivors include her husband, George.

Jeanne Aurel-Schneider ’51, P ’74, by Evelyn Zwierlein Fox ’51

Gretchen Bosse Leffler ’59, October 6, in Pacific Grove, California.

An arts supporter and jazz groupie, she was passionate about historic preservation and worked with the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove. She leaves her husband, Brooks; two children; and four grandchildren.

Annis Aiyar by Stefanie Moreno ’04 Joan Dreyer Allen ’62 by Meg Patten Eaton ‘62, Christine Ibach Holly ’62, P ’91, P ’95, Teresa Urrutia ’62 Kay Mallory Apley ’45 by Marian McCormack Wilkie ’45, P ’78 Robert Ashley by Kazuko “Koko” Tsunematsu Tajima ’69, MA ’71 Katherine Atwood ’64 by Laura “Lolly” McKeon Scholtz ’62 Jacquelyne Weitzenhoffer Branch ’48 by Ann Jacobus Folz ’50 Marion “Muffie” Phillips Campbell ’50 by Jennie Yee Lau ’46, Betty Chu Wo ’46 Carole Fisher Chantal ’55 by Anne Mayberry Parachini ’55 Elizabeth Abreu Cravalho ’60 by Betty Anne Mathewson Mahoney ’60 Wendy Engebretson ’62 by William Beadie Jaye Evans, MFA ’68, by her partner, William Barham

Joan Dreyer Allen ’62, November 3, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She served as director of development for The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years and was dedicated to enhancing the arts and education throughout the state. Survivors include three sons, eight grandchildren, and her sister, Nancy Dreyer Blaugrund ’68.

Marie Fabre-Rajotte ’22 by Jane Edwards Kenyon ’47

Janet Blair ’68, October 23, in Oakland, California. A talented flutist, she ran a youth summer camp for the arts in the East Bay for many years. In 1997, she established East Bay School of the Arts Middle School in Berkeley. She is survived by her partner, David Wasley, and a daughter.

Katherine Jefferson, daughter of Elizabeth Elston ’57, by Deborah Beck Rosenberg ’57

Elayne Rossi ’69, March 21, 2014, in Aspen, Colorado.

Lotus Inger Pedersen ’70, October 26, 2012, in Oakland, California. She was a gifted writer, artist, and gardener who dedicated herself to the Buddhist path. Survivors include two granddaughters, a stepson, and three step-grandchildren.

Eleanor Armstrong Gray ’54, P ’80, P ’83, by the George and Zan Edmiston Family Elizabeth Agee Hancock ’40, P ’71, P ’67, by Susan Stern Fineman ’68, Katherine Zelinsky Westheimer ’42

Mary Ann Childers Kinkead ’63 by Karen Kaufman Panting ’63, Jo Ann Schneider, MFA ’87 Grace Hofer Kliewer ’45 by Jeannine Sova Jones ’57 Susan Roe Lathrop ’69 by Kazuko “Koko” Tsunematsu Tajima ’69, MA ’71 Marvin Locke by his sister, Ellen Locke Crumb ’59, P ’94 Sandra Cowan Long ’61 by Ann Truax ’63 Christina Miller ’71 by her sister, Kathleen Miller Janes ’69

Diana Walker ’72, July 24, in Leesburg, Virginia.

Louise Shumway Muhler ’41 by Litheia Wong Hall ’41

Laurel Karabian ’75, October 19, in Los Angeles. She worked to support the San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and served on the California Arts Council and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. She was also a leader of the Armenian Library and Museum of America and the Armenian International Women’s Association. She is survived by her husband, Walter; a daughter; and a stepson.

Carol Nockold ’77 by Melissa Howden ’79 Vivian Stephenson by Muffy McKinstry Thorne ’48 p=parent; For information about making a tribute gift, contact 510.430.2097 or donors@mills.edu.

Spouses and Family Kirby Overton, husband of Roxanne Jones Overton ’73, October 31, in High Bridge, New Jersey.

Roger Gohrband, husband of Virginia Harmon Gohrband ’51, August 10, in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Eric Von Der Ahe, husband of Mary Good ’75, October 19, in San Pedro, California.

John Roy Badgley, husband of Jan Badgley, MFA ’93, November 5, in Laguna Woods, California.

Ranel Spence MD, husband of Sue Wood Spence ’56, March 10, 2014, in Florence, Alabama.

Carl Michels, husband of Heidi Aarts Michels ’81, November 23, in Windsor, California.

Edward Doyle, husband of Barbara Lewis ’56, January 2, 2010, in South Jordan, Utah.

24

M i l l s Q u a r t e r ly

Faculty and Staff Jennifer Fuller, Mills College registrar, December 2, in Oakland, California. A resident of Fremont, she held an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. Survivors include her son and her fiancé, Matthew Viera.

Allan Wendt, professor of English from 1956 to 1983, died at his home in Sonoma, California, on December 24. He was 96. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, he seerved in the Army Air Force in the US and England. He earned a BA and MA in English and creative writing in the Wallace Stegner program at Stanford, and his PhD in 18th-century British literature at Indiana University. He published poems and novels as well as serving as an editor of journals and literary editions of British novels and biography.

He and his surviving wife, Betty, took several academic tour groups to England, and later published their course notes as a travel book, Historic Walks in London, Bath, Oxford, and Edinburgh. He also is survived by four children and three grandchildren.

Alumna Trustee Ballot Nominee statements for the 2014–17 alumna trustee are printed on page 14.

To vote on paper:

We now offer two ways to vote—online and by paper ballot!

 Susan Ardisson ’77  Elizabeth Kelley ’86  Samira Kirmiz ’98

To vote online: • Go to the Mills College Alumnae Community, http://alumnae.mills.edu/alumna-trustee-ballot • Alumnae must be registered with the online community in order to cast their vote online.

• Registration is free and easy! Visit http://alumnae.mills.edu/ alumna-trustee-ballot to register and to vote. Your alumna ID is required to register and can be found at the top of your Quarterly mailing label.

• Online voting will end at 5:00 pm (PST) on Friday, May 8.

• Use this printed ballot and indicate your choice below:

Vote online or on paper by May 8

• Please mail ballot in a private envelope to: Chair, AAMC Nominating Committee, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd, MB #86, Oakland, CA 94613 • Paper ballots must include the mailing label on the reverse side.

To maintain confidentiality, voter names will be inked out before passing ballots on to the Nominating Committee chair.

• No faxed ballots or call-ins will be accepted.

• Ballots must be received at Reinhardt Alumnae House by 5:00 pm (PST) on Friday, May 8.

NOTE: Whether you vote online or by paper ballot, only one vote per alumna will be accepted.

Any alumna casting multiple votes will invalidate all of her votes.

Upon request, the Alumnae Association of Mills College will send a spring Quarterly to replace the one from which you have removed this ballot.

Call 510.430.2110 or email aamc@mills.edu.

Alumnae tr avel 2015 2016 destinations will be announced soon!

Check the AAMC website or the (e)ucalyptus newsletter.

China and the Yangtze River September 2–16, 2015

The famous Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City are just a few of the wonders you’ll discover in this fascinating nation. Marvel at the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an and cruise the Yangtze River.

Southwest Parks

September 25–October 5, 2015 See the breathtaking Grand Canyon and Arches National Park, explore Lake Powell and Monument Valley, and get to know the culture and traditions of the Navajo people.

See the AAMC travel website at aamc.mills.edu for full itineraries of these and other upcoming trips. For reservations or additional information, call the Alumnae Association of Mills College at 510.430.2110 or email aamc@mills.edu.

Mills Quarterly Mills College 5000 MacArthur Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu Address service requested Periodicals postage paid at Oakland, CA, and at additional mailing office(s)

The Russell Women in Science Lecture

Women, Water, and the World: How Women Can Solve the Earth’s Water Crisis

Plants, Waters, and Climate: Climatic Consequences of Afforestation

April 13, 9:45 am, Littlefield Concert Hall, Mills College RSVP at alumnae.mills.edu/wpspinstitute

April 16, 5:30 pm, Littlefield Concert Hall, Mills College RSVP at alumnae.mills.edu/womeninscience

Join us for the opening ceremony of the Women in Public Service Project Institute at Mills College, featuring addresses on developing women’s leadership in the international arena, the opportunities available through media and technology, and the power of building effective networks. Speakers include:

Pre-lecture reception, 4:30 pm, Lokey Graduate School of Business Atrium

• Gemma Bulos, executive director, Global Women’s Water Initiative • Daljit Bains ’99, chief compliance officer, Peace Corps • Farah Pandith, fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics • Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist

Peg Skorpinski

The Women in Public Service Project

For more information and delegate biographies, see mills.edu/wpsp.

WPSP Director Rangita de Silva de Alwis and Farah Pandith with a delegate to an institute at Smith College.

The WPSP Institute at Mills will offer training to women delegates selected from around the globe who are working to ensure equitable and sustainable access to clean water and sanitation. The institute is presented in partnership with the US State Department and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Founded in 2011 by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the WPSP’s goal is to have 50% of public service leadership positions around the world held by women by the year 2050.

Dr. Inez Fung has been studying climate change and the carbon cycle for the last 30 years. She is a principal architect of large-scale mathematical modeling approaches to represent the geographic and temporal variations of sources and sinks of CO2, dust, and other trace substances around the globe.

A professor of atmospheric science at the University of California, Berkeley, and founding director of the Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center, Fung is the US lead of the 2014 report, “Climate Change: Evidence and Causes,” published jointly by the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences. She holds a bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is featured on IWasWondering.org, a website encouraging young women to study math and science.

The Russell Women in Science Lecture is made possible thanks to the generous support of Trustee Emerita Cristine Russell ’71