(1945-07-03) July 3, 1945 (age 78) Grapeland, Texas, U.S.
Spouse
Norbert Alonzo
Children
2
Education
Dillard University (BA) Harvard University (MA, PhD)
Academic background
Thesis
The poetic language of Aime Cesaire (1973)
Academic work
Discipline
Romance literature
Institutions
University of New Orleans
California State University, Northridge
University of Southern California
Princeton University
Spelman College
Smith College
Brown University
Prairie View A&M University
Ruth Simmons (born Ruth Jean Stubblefield,[1][2] July 3, 1945) is an American professor and academic administrator. Simmons served as the eighth president of Prairie View A&M University, a HBCU, from 2017 until 2023. From 2001 to 2012, she served as the 18th president of Brown University, where she was the first African American president of an Ivy League institution. While there, Simmons was named best college president by Time magazine. Before Brown University, she headed Smith College, one of the Seven Sisters and the largest women's college in the United States, beginning in 1995. There, during her presidency, the first accredited program in engineering was started at an all-women's college.
A professor of literature in the Romance languages, in 2017, Simmons was called out of retirement to head Prairie View in her home state of Texas, where she increased scholarships and funding. She stepped down as president there in 2023.[3][4][5] She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society (1997), an honorary fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.
In February 2023, Simmons announced plans to advise Harvard University regarding relationships with historically black universities (HBCUs).[6] As of 2023, Simmons is also a President's Distinguished Fellow at Rice University.[7]
^Listed as "Ruth Geary Stubblefield" on the Texas Birth Records, could be a typo; According to the Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 - Ancestry.com
^Barry Beckham, "Dr Ruth J. Simmons - Precedent-setting president", The Crisis, March–April 2001, p. 24.
^"Dr. Ruth J. Simmons to Step Down as President of Prairie View A&M". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
^McGee, Kate (2023-02-10). "Ruth Simmons will resign early as president of Prairie View A&M University". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
^McGee, Kate (2022-03-30). "Outgoing Prairie View A&M President Ruth Simmons will remain at university, create new leadership diversity program". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
^Milkowski, Gray (2023-02-27). "Ruth Simmons named to senior post advising on HBCU partnerships". Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
^"Ruth Simmons to join Rice as President's Distinguished Fellow". Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
RuthSimmons (born Ruth Jean Stubblefield, July 3, 1945) is an American professor and academic administrator. Simmons served as the eighth president of...
were fervent abolitionists. In 2003, under the tenure of President RuthSimmons, the university established a steering committee to investigate these...
series 1986 The Last Frontier Tina Adamson TV film 1988 April Morning RuthSimmons TV film 1993 Tales from the Crypt Mona Episode: "House of Horror" 1995...
as the 19th president of Brown University. She officially succeeded RuthSimmons on July 1, 2012, and was inaugurated on October 27, 2012. After spending...
publication (see below). At her insistence, Tighe was given the pseudonym "Ruth Mills Simmons". The best-selling book created a sensation; people would throw Bridey...
Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and RuthSimmons" April 29, 2012 (2012-04-29) Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and RuthSimmons trace their genealogical backgrounds...
Lloyd George denied the request. Ruth dismissed Bickford (who had been chosen by Cussen) and asked to see Leon Simmons, the clerk to solicitor Victor Mishcon...
Calendar and a central figure in the American fashion industry. Ruth Finley attended Simmons College in Boston between 1937 and 1941, where she majored in...
degree from Brown University at its 243rd commencement. At the ceremony, RuthSimmons, Brown University's president, called him "the most skilled actor of...
Ruth Stiles Gannett Kahn (August 12, 1923 – June 11, 2024) was an American children's writer best known for My Father's Dragon and its two sequels—collectively...
Cat Grace Bridges William A. Wellman 1956 The Search for Bridey Murphy RuthSimmons Noel Langley 1957 Escapade in Japan Mary Saunders Arthur Lubin 1958 The...
miniseries The Thorn Birds (1983). Simmons was born on 31 January 1929, in Islington, London, to Charles Simmons, a bronze medalist in gymnastics at...
producer (Morehouse) Samuel L. Jackson, actor and film producer (Morehouse) RuthSimmons, first African American president in the Ivy League (Dillard) Oprah Winfrey...
Mendenhall 1959–1975 Jill Ker Conway 1975–1985 Mary Maples Dunn 1985–1995 RuthSimmons 1995–2001 John M. Connolly 2001–2002 (acting president) Carol T. Christ...
bloodhound dogs. Guest Stars: Kim Darby as RuthSimmons, Tom Skerritt as Pete Edwards, Harry Townes as Joshua Simmons. 97 7 "Second Sight" Robert Douglas Daniel...
Baseball Happy Chandler rule Simmons eligible for the World Series, but Simmons attended it in support the team. Simmons' place on the World Series roster...
screenwriter. Teresa Wright as RuthSimmons Louis Hayward as Morey Bernstein Nancy Gates as Hazel Bernstein Kenneth Tobey as Rex Simmons Richard Anderson as Dr...
the Tikar people of Cameroon. "Samuel L. Jackson, Condoleezza Rice and RuthSimmons". Finding Your Roots. April 29, 2012. Archived from the original on September...
Brown Jr. were fervent abolitionists. Under the tenure of President RuthSimmons, the University in 2003 established a steering committee to investigate...
Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, playwright and screenwriter. She began her career performing on Broadway...
have included Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan; and Brown University presidents RuthSimmons and Christina Paxson. The congregation...
Society in 1964. He was the father of Science writer Michael D. Lemonick RuthSimmons, the current president of Brown, who worked under Lemonick as a Princeton...
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