Carmen Wiley
This monetary award was established in 1927 for excellence in scholarship.
Samantha M. Barnett
Established in 1949, this award is given to an outstanding graduate provides support
for graduate study abroad or in the US.
Professor Christie Chung
Professor Barbara LiSanti
Abigail Choruby, Laurel Levitan, Inge Sorensen, Katherine Klapperich, May Young
Members are elected each year in acknowledgement of their high scholarly achievements, their pursuit of liberal learning, and their intellectual integrity and curiosity. Mills College was granted a charter by the national honor society of Phi Beta Kappa on September 12, 1928. Zeta Chapter in the State of California was installed March 16, 1929.
Chloe Abeyta, Aniella Aguiar, Ashwini Bartolucci, Alina Gomez, Ameyali Hernandez, Alexandra Moreno, Xenya Nikeyenkova, Chloe Poudrier
An honor society inviting high-achieving freshmen and sophomores. Members must have a GPA of 3.4 or above and rank in the top 20 percent of their class.
Amber Hester, Elizabeth Hinsley, Heather Cowart, Ivory MacCracken-Sanders, Jennifer Stovall, Karena Huang, Katt Xu, Laila Aldabashi, Scyan Hall, Sierra Green
Grace "Ty" Searing Dhaemers Art History Award
Sequoia Belk-Hurst, Danielle LaFontaine
Grace "Ty" Searing Dhaemers Award (Sculpture)
Ellie Teare
This art history award is based on academic merit and given to juniors who will be
returning to Mills as seniors in the fall.
Ralph DuCasse Endowed Scholarship
Carla Cardenas
This scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in studio art with an emphasis
in drawing and painting.
Hung Liu Prize
announced at commencement
For excellence in studio art.
Jay DeFeo MFA Prize
announced at commencement
Established under the terms of the artist's will through an endowment to Mills College,
the Jay DeFeo Prize at Mills College is awarded annually to one (or more) graduating
Master of Fine Arts student(s) in Studio Art.
Wellhausen Family Award
announced at commencement
This award, in honor of Dorothy Bank, is given for the Senior Show.
Eleanor E. Crum Award in Ceramics
Lola Ray Lewis
This prize was established in 1968 from the estate of William L. Crum in honor of
his wife. This award is given to students for excellence in ceramics.
Photographic Prize for Creative Excellence
Yana Sternberger-Moye, Jenna St.George
This prize is awarded to a student who has continued to show creative excellence and
experimentation in the medium of photography.
Eugene Trefethen Award
Kayd Miller
This award recognizes the graduating senior scholar-athlete with the highest cumulative
GPA.
Karen Koshak Prize
Karen Newton
This award is given in recognition of an exemplary healthy, well-balanced and physically
active lifestyle and promotion of the physical education program.
Biology Department Above and Beyond Award
Lizbeth Crispin
For outstanding contribution.
Barbara Bowman Molecular Award
Opal Stayer-Wilburn
The award is given to a graduating senior who demonstrates passionate curiosity and
appreciation of all things molecular and cellular.
Caryl Parker Haskins Prize
Hannah Horten, Maia Ziaee
This prize was established in 1966 in honor of former Trustee Dr. Haskins for distinction
in the life sciences.
John Harris Award
Imani Smith
For academic excellence in biology.
Vera Long Prize
Maddie Buhbe
This prize was established in 1987 and given in honor of an outstanding paper written
on environmental biology. It is named for a Mills Alumna and lifelong Trustee.
Center for the Book Award for Excellence in Book Art
Maia Vlcek
This award sponsored by Mills College Center for the Book, recognizes a student who
has made a significant commitment to book art throughout her undergraduate studies
and has demonstrated overall excellence in her classes and projects.
Helen Pillans Award
Regina Wang
This award is given in honor of Helen Pillans, who taught at Mills for many years
and was responsible for the establishment of the computer science program in the 1960s.
Lennox-McEntyre Award
Hao Yu
This award is given for excellence in computer science and contributions to the computer
science community. Formerly Diane McEntyre Award, recently renamed the Lennox-McEntyre
Award, in honor of the late Carol Lennox.
Dance Department Merit Award
Stephanie Tobon
This award is given for exceptional growth and achievement.
Dance Department Performer Award
Casey Moorhead
This award is given for exemplary work on stage.
Dance Department Creativity Award
Gheisa Andrea Schmidt
This award is given for exceptional ingenuity in performance and technology.
E. L. Wiegand Foundation Dance Department Excellence in Innovation Award
Xiuting Hong
This award is given for exceptional originality in performance and choreography.
E. L. Wiegand Foundation Dance Department Merit Award
Francesca Cipponeri
This award is given for outstanding academic work and a spirit of open inquiry.
E. L. Wiegand Foundation Dance Department Excellence in Teaching Award
Miriam Peretz
This award is given for outstanding thesis research.
Marion Ross Merit Scholarship
Clare Livick
This award is given in honor of Dr. Marion Ross, respected alumna and former economics
professor at Mills. It is awarded for excellence in economics.
Nancy Thornborrow Endowed Prize
Cat Utschig
This award is named in honor of Professor Nancy Thornborrow for her creative leadership,
and is awarded to one or more undergraduate alumna/e, outstanding students enrolled
in the accelerated degree program who plans to earn an MBA from Mills in two semesters
of full-time graduate study.
Commitment to Social Justice Masters in Education with an Emphasis in Teaching
Iyla Ollinger
Classroom Research Focus Masters in Education with an Emphasis in Teaching
Hannah Swernoff
Commitment to Social Justice in Humanities Credential Program
Stephanie Guasp
Representing Reflective and Integrated Teaching Practice in Humanities Program
Travis Clarke
Commitment to Social Justice in Multiple Subjects Credential Program
Michaela Ellis
Representing Reflective and Integrated Practice in Multiple Subjects Credential Program
Sarah Hartman
Commitment to Social Justice in Early Childhood Education
Lafeshia Edwards
Representing Theory and Practice in Early Childhood Education
Adela Martinez Berg; Alice Blecker
Reflective and Integrated Practice in Early Childhood Education
Luis Alvarez
Joan Henry Award
Hsiaohuey Lee, Cristiana Rivera
Senior Distinction in Child Development Award
Bhavya Doshi
Amanda Davis MFA Thesis in Fiction Award
David Mejia
This thesis prize for fiction is in memory of Mills English professor Amanda Davis
who died in a plane crash while promoting her first novel in March 2003.
Ardella Mills Prize
Critical Essay:
Undergraduate—Molly Stuart
Graduate—Sarah Shaffer
Graduate Honorable Mention—Clare Lilliston
Prizes given for excellence in literary composition was established in 1931, by a
bequest of Maria Elizabeth Mills, in memory of her daughter.
English I Essay Prize
Jona Peters
This award is for an essay written in English 001 class for both fall and spring semesters.
Leila Abu-Saba Prize
Kari Treese
This prize is given to a graduate student emerging prose writer in creative nonfiction
Marion Hood Boess Haworth Prize
Undergraduate—Claire-Ellen Keyes
Graduate—Anna Erice
The award is given for excellence in fiction for children's and young adult literature.
Mary Merritt Henry Prize
Undergraduate Poetry—TJ Johnston
Graduate Poetry—Mia Boykin
Established in 1921, these prizes are awarded for a group of poems by students.
Melody Clarke Teppola Prize in Creative Writing Fiction:
Undergraduate—Tri-an Cao
Graduate—Amitai Ben-abba
Graduate Honorable Mention—Kari Treese
This prize recognizes students for original thinking and superior writing.
Melody Clarke Teppola Prize in Creative Nonfiction:
Undergraduate—Claire-Ellen Keyes
Graduate—Ariana Samuelson
This prize recognizes students for original thinking and superior writing.
Ethnic Studies Outstanding Scholarship Award
Sam Barnett
This award recognizes a student(s) who has achieved overall academic excellence in
the department.
Reaching Beyond Award
Katie Funes
This award recognizes excellence in building coalitions between communities of color
on campus and through service to the community. This award highlights the importance
of building unity in diversity in order to achieve social change.
The Spirit of Dolores Huerta Award
Emmely Tot Mairena
This award recognizes the student who has demonstrated the kind of courageous and
conscientious pursuit of justice as evinced in the person of Dolores Huerta.
Anne Hummel Sherrill Merit Scholarship
Janin Escobedo-Garcia
This scholarship is awarded to the top junior student in history. The award is determined
in the spring and applied toward senior year tuition.
Honors in Major: History
Evelyn Anaya, Lauren Havey, Grace Spoljaric, Isabel Strychacz
Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society
Emma Anderson, Janin Escobedo-Garcia, Eden Hood, Maria Hosfield, Katherine Klapperich,
Melika Sebihi, Inge Sorensen, Julie Pitta, Lauren Wong
Phi Alpha Theta is the national honor society for history whose mission is to promote
the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication
and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.
Reynold M. Wik Award
Katherine Klapperich, Julie Pitta, Lauren Wong
Established in 1998, this prize is awarded to the outstanding senior in history.
Donna Petersen Vocal Prize
Rowan Matthews
This award is given for excellence in vocal performance.
Elizabeth Mills Crothers Award
Sally Decker, Nicholas Grieneisen
Endowed in 1931 by Maria Elizabeth Mills in memory of her daughter, this is awarded
for outstanding musical composition.
Flora Boyd Piano Performance
Na-Young Jung
This is awarded for outstanding piano performance.
Frog Peak Collective Experimental Music Award
Naomi Harrison-Clay, Matthew Robidoux, Jess Tambellini
This is awarded to a graduate student who has completed an outstanding thesis on experimental
music or who has contributed to the community of experimental musicians.
Margaret Lyon Music Student Prize
Rodolfo Cordova-Lebron, Rodrigo Diaz Barriga Lopez, Antonio Gennaro, Timothy Russell, Imogen
Teasley-Vlautin
Established in 2004 in memory of Dr. Margaret Lyon, head of the music department for
twenty-five years, by her family, friends and students. This prize is awarded to outstanding
music students.
Maurthea Friedberger Cup
Maia Ziaee
This award is given to the most outstanding senior music major.
Music Department Community Spirit Award
Amina Kirby
This award is given to students for excellence in performance.
Myrta Bennet Wieland Excellence in Voice
Hil Jaeger
This award is given for outstanding vocal performance.
Paul Merritt Henry Prize
Lee Hodel
This prize was established in 1928 by Aurelia Henry Reinhardt during her presidency
at Mills as a memorial to her brother. It is awarded for excellence in the musical
composition of stringed instruments.
Lawrence Schrader Prize in International Relations
Eileen Beven
This award is given to a student for academic excellence and outstanding service.
Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society
Amber Shouse, Kayd Miller, Alcicia Cantrell
Sociology Student of the Year
Marisa Tangeman
Established in 1998, this honor is awarded for active contributions to the sociology
program at Mills in addition to the achievement of academic excellence.
Gabriela Mistral Prize
Khaled A. Morales
In honor of Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to be awarded the Nobel
Prize for Literature in 1945. She received a Doctorate Honoris Causa from Mills College
in 1947. Awarded to graduating seniors for excellent academic work in the field of
Hispanic letters.
Maria Naumann-Etienne Prize
Alexis D. Joshua
For Spanish and Spanish American studies students who have a special interest in South
American literature and culture.
Certificado de Honor
Alexis D. Joshua, Khaled A. Morales, Deny M. Rodriguez
Essay Prize
Queer Studies, Katie Funes
Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies, Tess Waxman
This award is given to an undergraduate student for the best women's, gender and sexulity
studies essay or nonfiction paper.
Zimmer Prize
Daryn Copeland
This is awarded for outstanding scholarship and community service in women's, gender
and sexuality studies.
Christine LaFia Award
Irena Huang
Senior with outstanding service to the College over their entire time at Mills.
Outstanding Senior Award
Matlhatse Mokgoatsana
Graduating senior recognized for involvement in and contribution to the Mills community.
Helen Carroll Award
Leo Cuevas
Faculty, staff or student recognized for dedication to securing equal rights and combating
discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Peg Dean Leadership Award
Mi Rae Park
Established by Alumna Edyth Chan to recognize an Asian American student for demonstrated
leadership on campus.
Coleen Gragen Award
Tyrice Deane Brown
Faculty, staff or student recognized for dedication and advocacy for women.
Shirley Weishaar Award
Melissa Berkay
Outstanding service to the Division of Student Life over their entire time at Mills.
Palladium (juniors and seniors)
Asia Hankins
Joy Robinson
Frania Ramos-Arce
Morgan Leishman
Juli Lopez
Dalia Pimentel
Irena Huang
Melissa Berkay
Honor society recognizing juniors and seniors who combine academic excellence with
service to the College over their entire time at Mills. Palladium requires a 3.0 GPA.
Student Organization of the Year
Undocumented Student Union
Presented to an organization that has demonstrated through their events and activities,
outstanding collaboration and dedication to educating the Mills and broader community
in support of the College’s and the ASMC’s mission.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
Arely Zimmerman
Recognizes a campus advisor who dedicates time and resources to the advancement of
a club or organization. The nominee offers support to students through mentorship,
guidance, and advocacy.
Community Engagement (CE) Awards recognize students, faculty or staff for their demonstrated leadership in working towards racial justice and intersecting causes and their exhibited involvement working for freedom, solidarity, and/or dignity for all people.
CEA Athlete of the Year
Coco Kennedy
Recognizes a student who has participated in sports at Mills and has exhibited involvement
working for freedom, solidarity, and/or dignity for all people.
CEA Community Service Leader of the Year
Alondra Rios
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated a commitment to serving the Mills community
or wider communities of color.
CEA Community Activism of the Year
Natalia Sandoval
Recognizes a student who has demonstrated leadership in social justice activism within
the Mills and/or non-Mills community.
CEA Staff Member of the Year
Beatriz Perez-Stable
Recognizes a staff member who has exhibited working for freedom, solidarity, and/or
dignity to support students through mentorship, guidance, and advocacy.
CEA Emerging Staff Member of the Year
Ivonne Mejia
Recognizes a staff member who has exhibited working for freedom, solidarity, and/or
dignity to support students through mentorship, guidance, and advocacy during their
first year of arrival to campus.
CEA Faculty Member of the Year
Felisa Wolfe-Simon
Recognizes a faculty member who has exhibited working for freedom, solidarity, and/or
dignity to support students through mentorship, guidance, and advocacy.
CEA Graduate Leader of the Year
Karla Brundage
Recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated leadership in working towards racial
justice and intersecting causes and exhibited involvement working for freedom, solidarity,
and/or dignity for all people.
CEA Emerging Leader of the Year
Jessica Olivares
Recognizes a first year, sophomore, or new transfer has demonstrated leadership in
working towards racial justice and intersecting causes and exhibited involvement working
for freedom, solidarity, and/or dignity for all people.
CEA Junior Leader of the Year
Tessa Kaput
Emmely Tot Mairena
Recognizes a junior student has demonstrated leadership in working towards racial
justice and intersecting causes and exhibited involvement working for freedom, solidarity,
and/or dignity for all people.
CEA Senior Leader of the Year
Frania Ramos-Arce
Recognizes a senior student has demonstrated leadership in working towards racial
justice and intersecting causes and exhibited involvement working for freedom, solidarity,
and/or dignity for all people.
Ruth Masayko Award
Elissa Papendick
Recognizes a staff or faculty member who has shown unique willingness to support students
with disabilities
Patrice Griffin Award
Josephine Vander Klay
Awarded to recognize outstanding enthusiasm and support for aquatic programs.
Elizabeth Rheem Stoner Award
Rivas
Awarded to a student for outstanding contribution to the recreation program.
Leadership Development Series Certificates
Camille Torres-Kelly
Denise Ruiz
Heather Stone
The Leadership Development Series provides students an opportunity to grow in their
leadership skills. As part of this series students who complete five or more workshops
receive a leadership certificate.
Leadership in Campus Sustainability
Rebecca Robles
Student recognized for outstanding leadership in furthering environmental and social
sustainability into the campus culture.