11 minute read
In Memoriam
Carole Romberg ’69, September 2, 2022, in Fairbanks, Alaska. At Mills, she was on crew, and a research trip to Alaska her sophomore year inspired her to make her home there. In Fairbanks, she was a teamster, a reporter, and the supply manager at a local logistics company. Carole’s love of baking earned her the nickname “The Brownie Grandma” throughout Fairbanks, and she was a devoted cyclist, swimmer, and cross-country skier. She is survived by a brother, two nieces, a nephew, and four grandnephews and –nieces.
Pauline Carver Duxbury ’70, July 11, 2022, in Kailua, Hawaii. Her mother and grandmother were both Mills alums. Pauline lived around the world, even moving her family to Paris for a year in the 1980s. Her family notes that she was the ultimate entertainer, cooking up gourmet meals and providing a place at her table and conversation to even the barest of acquaintances. She is survived by two sisters, including Philae Carver Dominick ’69; four daughters; and seven grandchildren. Angela Coutinho Gracias ’72, December 25, 2021, in Castro Valley, California. After Mills, she earned a master’s degree in education from what is now Cal State East Bay. She is survived by three daughters. Kay-Daphne Airola ’74, February 21, 2022, in San Andreas, California. She was a Bent Twig, attending Mills 31 years after mother Helen Drake Airola ’41 graduated. Kay-Daphne later earned a master’s in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and worked in an assortment of careers—from behind the scenes on the TV show Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and owning a card shop to mediating for the Calaveras County court system. She is survived by an aunt, two brothers, and many cousins.
Anthony De Bone, MFA ’74, February 6, 2021, in Oakland. He earned his MFA in studio art and later worked for the University of California. He is survived by his wife, Mary. Gwendolyn Valois ’81, September 5, 2022, in Sebastopol, California. She came to Mills as a resumer after studying opera at the Chicago Conservatory College and coming to Berkeley at the height of the 1960s protest era. After turning her love of poetry and short stories into a Mills degree in English literature, and nearly earning a master’s, she went to Paris to study art and painting. Gwendolyn was still creating art until just a few days before her death. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne-Cybele Bantowsky Peregrine ’89. Carolyn Waggoner ’87, August 28, 2022, in Davis, California. She initially came to Davis to earn a PhD in English after graduating from Mills as a resumer. Storytelling was in Carolyn’s blood; she published short stories and a novel, Rhino Dreams, that she wrote with Kathryn Williams. She also loved music, even singing in local opera productions, and her volunteerism for rescue animals led her to her veterinarian husband. She is survived by her husband, Rolf Fecht; mother; sister; niece; nephew; stepson; and stepdaughter. Ann Henderson, MA ’02, September 29, 2022, in San Francisco. She came to Mills about 15 years after graduating from Cal, earning her master’s in education and putting it to work as the lead teacher and director at Berkeley’s Child Education Center and a kindergarten teacher at various Oakland schools. Ann also co-wrote the book Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up, which The New York Times called the “gold standard for children’s cookbooks” upon its publication in 1994. She is survived by a sister.
Professor Emerita of Education Jane Bowyer
One of the biggest champions of the Mills School of Education, Jane Bowyer died on August 2, 2022. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Bowyer ’02. Bowyer, who taught at Mills from 1975 to 2012, played an integral role in the creation of the Mills School of Education— and also took on the role of dean. During her time with the school, she particularly focused on the early childhood education program, elevating it to a place of global renown. In particular, she built strong relationships with educators in Japan, traveling there often. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and her master’s and PhD at UC Berkeley. This past spring, Bowyer made a visit to the School of Education with members of her family, and according to former School of Education Dean Wendi Williams, she “looked on proudly seeing colleagues who were ‘still here,’ many of whom she mentored and supported early in their career years.” After retiring about 10 years ago, Bowyer continued coming to the Mills campus to audit courses in the art department with Professor Yulia Pinkusevich. In the announcement to the campus community about Bowyer’s passing, Pinkusevich reflected on her former student’s creativity:
Faculty & Staff
Gregory Young, former artist-in-residence, July 27, 2022, in San Francisco.
Spouses and Family
James Connick, parent of Debra Connick ’85, September 12, 2022, in Galt, California. Gordon Johnson, spouse of the late Linda Seebass Johnson ’66, August 29, 2021, in Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin.
Friends
Margaret “Peggy” Fuerstenau, former Associate Council member, May 30, 2020, in Santa Rosa. Kari Marboe, June 14, 2022, in Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California.
YOU’D PROBABLY RECOGNIZE HER VOICE
Jessica Webner Hansen ’96 may not be a household name, but millions of people hear her on NPR every week.
BY AMANDA LOUDIN
WHILE JESSICA WEBNER HANSEN ’96 has a long, accomplished background in acting, it’s her voice that landed her in the recent film Tár, starring Cate Blanchett. And she owes that opportunity to the fact that every week, some 26 million people hear Hansen’s smooth, resonant voice via her job as NPR’s funding credits announcer.
If you regularly tune into your local public radio station, you’ve undoubtedly heard Hansen list the sponsors of familiar shows such as Fresh Air and All Things Considered. Her long, winding road— from professional voice actor, coach (including to NPR’s team), and actress to co-founder of DC’s Lean & Hungry Theater—wasn’t the career trajectory she initially expected, but one that was perhaps tailor-made for her. After graduating from Mills, she moved to Washington, DC to live near her father. “He took me to an acting conservatory, which led to some acting classes,” she says. “A few years later, I moved to Minneapolis and a series of jobs, acting in community theater [productions] at night.”
A friend suggested Hansen consider a master’s degree in acting, which she then pursued at Brandeis University near Boston, graduating in 2005. It’s the combination of her experience at both schools that prepared her for her career, Hansen says. “Grad school was rigorous and demanding, but it was my time at Mills that prepared me to transition to adulthood,” she says. “I felt nurtured and challenged by professors, who were interested in me becoming my best version of myself.”
With this solid foundation, Hansen had the confidence needed to perform on stages across the country, as well as on television. Her credits include guest-starring roles on NBC’s Parks & Recreation and HBO’s Veep, as well as parts in independent films and commercials.
It was Hansen’s voice, however, that led her to NPR. “Through Lean & Hungry Theater, we created audio versions of Shakespeare and other classics on school reading lists,” she explains. “I worked with WAMU, the local NPR station, to air a show, and one thing led to another.”
Hansen began a six-month contract voicing funding credits for NPR’s podcasts and online presence some eight years ago, and after that, her role kept expanding. “I never considered this as a career, but when the opportunity came up, I discovered that I loved working with the people of NPR,” she says.
Like many fields, Hansen’s changed with the onset of the pandemic. “All my work was suddenly online,” she says, “and that led me to be creative about how to coach people to use their voices.”
With that evolution, Hansen decided to move to part-time with NPR, allowing her to focus more on voice coaching and voiceovers. She works with entrepreneurs, executives, students, and more, helping them expand their voices for podcasts, live events, interviews, or any professional speaking. Underneath it all, she credits her time at Mills. “My time there was magical,” she says.
As of November 4, 505 alumnae had responded to the AAMC’s outreach efforts. This informal poll showcased a near tie between Options 1 and 2. Feedback was thoughtful and extensive, and this pie chart shows only high-level results. More detailed results are available online. No matter which preference they voted for, these commonalities surfaced as desired goals for the AAMC:
• Scholarships: The top activity alumnae want the AAMC to focus on is providing scholarships, with an array of suggestions: to continuing legacy Mills students fitting the traditional
Mills demographic (women, trans people, non-binary/firstgeneration students, non-traditional aged students).
• Keeping Reinhardt Alumnae House (RAH) is very important:
Many alumnae voted for Option 2 because it included keeping
RAH and a presence on campus. Some Option 1 voters said they would still want to keep RAH, if possible. • Preserve Mills history/name/campus: Alumnae stated that they want the AAMC to be instrumental in preserving Mills’ history and the campus along with keeping the Mills name alive.
Option 1: Independent/no relationship with Mills at Northeastern (43.8%)
221 48
Option 3: Merge with Mills at Northeastern Office of Alumnae Relations (9.5%)
Option 2: Formal relationship with Mills at Northeastern (45.5%)
Total Respondents: 505
FAQ
Q: Does the AAMC own RAH?
A: No. RAH was built as a gift to Mills College in 1948. Currently, RAH is occupied by the AAMC and Mills College at Northeastern University’s Office of Alumnae Relations. The building itself is now owned by Northeastern University. The 2017 Memorandum of collaboration (MOC) with Mills College guarantees the AAMC’s continued use of the building. Discussions are scheduled with Alumnae Relations to determine the status of the MOC post-merger.
Q: What is the status of the database?
A: Mills College at Northeastern University owns the database of Mills alumnae. While the AAMC originally gathered all the names and contact information (on index cards!) after the AAMC’s incorporation in the 1920s, over the years Mills College worked with the AAMC on a comprehensive database of contact and donor information. With the 2017 Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), the AAMC and Mills College agreed that “Records of individual alumnae—including paper files, computer files, and archived materials containing contact, biographic, giving, and other information—are assets of the College and the College will provide the necessary resources to preserve them.” Also in the 2017 MOC, Mills College agreed to allow the AAMC continued access to sending emails to alumnae through the College’s system. For the foreseeable future, the AAMC is able to send emails and mailings to these lists, and currently still does (one email per month, postal mailings paid for by the AAMC).
Starting in 2021, the AAMC created its own database to communicate more regularly, independently of the College. This database currently has about 5,300 contacts. The database is called Giveffect; it is a CRM with strong fundraising and communications tools. Approximately 12,000 alumnae were contacted by Mills College at Northeastern University asking the alumnae to opt in to the AAMC database. Approximately 2,600 alumnae responded and 96.9% agreed to release their information. We were due to receive that data by the end of 2022. Alumnae can add themselves to the AAMC’s independent database at any time by visiting aamc-mills .org/update-contact-info.
230
No preference but submitted comments (1.2%)
Q: What does a “living presence” on campus mean?
A: Generally, a living presence means that AAMC’s activities would take place on campus rather than elsewhere and that our activities promote and preserve the legacy of Mills College and what a Mills College education stands for. This means the continued use of RAH by the AAMC. The AAMC could also continue some activities in relation to students who attend Mills College at Northeastern University.
Q: What would happen to the AAMC’s assets under a new direction?
In order to remain a 501(c)(3) and in control of our assets, the AAMC must remain a charitable organization, no matter what direction is taken. The AAMC’s Articles of Incorporation state that the AAMC “promotes the interests of Mills College, maintain among the graduates a spirit of fellowship and service, for scholarships in Mills College and for the benefit of Mills College.” We recognize that Mills College as we knew it no longer exists; however, we remain required to use our assets for a charitable purpose closely aligned to our mission and purpose.
For a full FAQ, visit aamc-mills.org.
Mills College at Northeastern University 5000 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland, CA 94613-1301 510.430.3312 quarterly@mills.edu www.mills.edu
2023AAMC Travel
Mexico
Discover the vibrant culture and impressive history of Mexico’s Yucatán on this first-class small-group adventure! Spend seven nights in colorful Mérida, a colonial-era beauty, and explore the magnificent Mayan cities of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, the golden city of Izamal, and the Celestún Estuary, home to flocks of bright pink flamingos! Savor delectable cuisine, traditional music and dancing, and a fun excursion of your choice in Mérida. Includes expert guides and lecturers. No single supplement!
Morocco and Canary Islands
Explore the stunning natural beauty of the Canary Islands and treasures of the rose-pink cities of Morocco on this one-of-a-kind journey, featuring scenic coastlines and idyllic ports rarely visited by larger vessels. Visit La Palma’s Mirador de la Concepción for spectacular views of Caldera de Taburiente. Discover iconic Casablanca and enjoy full-day excursions to the island of Tenerife and Teide National Park, the 1,000-year-old city of Marrakesh and the ancient city of Fez. Enhance your journey with the Las Palmas Pre-Program Option and/or the Casablanca Post-Program Option.
