As the semester comes to a close, the Viking community says its farewell to an important staff member: Lori Durham. Durham has been a meaningful part of the Mills community for over 20 years. Throughout her time here, she has consistently and wholeheartedly supported students as both the Health Aide and the Advisor for the Latino Mentor Program (LMP). As she steps off the Viking ship and begins her new journey, we want to reflect on the legacy she leaves behind and the dedication she has shown to the Mills community.
As the Health Aide at Mills, Durham is constantly connecting with Viking athletes and students who aren’t feeling well. With her welcoming smile, she greets every student with warmth and helps with whatever they may need, whether it’s turning in SportsNet forms or offering a heat pad to help them get through the day. Reflecting on her time in the health office, Durham shares, “I love caring for students. I love being there for them. I’m gonna miss the connections with the students… they’re all so sweet, they’re all so kind to me, and I’m really gonna miss caring for them.” She has served as the Health Office Aide for over 21 years, forming countless relationships built on trust and compassion.
Durham has also taken on many responsibilities beyond the health office to support the Mills community. She has played a major role in the growth of the Latino Mentor Program, giving her time, energy, and heart to help the club flourish and create opportunities for students. Durham’s involvement began when she first started at Mills, and through her leadership, along with the work of many others, the program has been able to host numerous successful events including the bi-annual La Fiesta, a community celebration featuring food trucks, fundraisers, pottery sales, and dancing performed by the Baile Folklórico team, which is funded through LMP. The club has also hosted retreats, speaker events, and holiday gatherings. As she considers her motivation to continue supporting LMP, Durham says, “I believe in it. I believe in the students. I feel it’s my duty to do it, because the person who started LMP did it for me.”
Through her years as advisor, Durham has developed long-lasting relationships with many past alumni officers. Looking ahead, she also shared her hopes for the next chapter of her life and offered thoughtful guidance for whoever takes on her roles in the future. “To just listen and be supportive, to show that you care, to be patient,” she advises. “I think as the health office it’s important to be supportive of the students and to have a listening ear and to just be prepared for anything.”
Though she will be leaving the health office, Durham still plans to support LMP throughout the rest of the year. As she looks ahead to what comes next, she shared, “I look forward to coming on Tuesdays to check in with my LMP students. And I look forward to traveling more. I look forward to sleeping in, taking my dog on more walks, and being with my family.”
A letter from Lori Durham:
