Ruth Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Simmons
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Simmons in 2001
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| 8th President of Prairie View A&M University | |
| In office July 1, 2017 – February 28, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | George Wright |
| Succeeded by | Tomikia P. LeGrande |
| 18th President of Brown University | |
| In office October 14, 2001 – June 30, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Gordon Gee |
| Succeeded by | Christina Paxson |
| 9th President of Smith College | |
| In office 1995–2001 |
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| Preceded by | Mary Maples Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Carol T. Christ |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ruth Jean Stubblefield
July 3, 1945 Grapeland, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse | Norbert Alonzo |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Dillard University (BA) Harvard University (MA, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions |
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| Thesis | The poetic language of Aime Cesaire (1973) |
Ruth Simmons (born Ruth Jean Stubblefield, July 3, 1945) is an American professor and a leader in education. She has been the president of several important universities. From 2017 to 2023, Simmons was the eighth president of Prairie View A&M University. This is a special type of school called a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Before that, from 2001 to 2012, she was the 18th president of Brown University. Brown is one of the famous Ivy League schools. She was the first African-American president of an Ivy League university. During her time at Brown, Time magazine called her the best college president.
Even earlier, she led Smith College from 1995 to 2001. Smith College is one of the Seven Sisters, which are historic women's colleges. While she was there, Smith College started the first engineering program at an all-women's college.
Simmons is also a professor who studies literature, especially Romance languages like French and Spanish. She is a member of important groups like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has also received a high honor from France, being named a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.
In 2023, Simmons began advising Harvard University on how to work with HBCUs. She also serves as a special fellow at Rice University.
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Early Life and Education
Ruth Simmons was born in Grapeland, Texas. She was the youngest of 12 children. Her parents were Fanny and Isaac Stubblefield. Her father was a sharecropper, which means he farmed land owned by someone else and paid rent with a share of his crops. Her family later moved to Houston.
When she was in school, a teacher named Vernell Lillie encouraged her to think about college. Simmons had never considered it before. She earned her first degree, a bachelor's degree, from Dillard University in New Orleans in 1967. She received a scholarship to attend.
Later, she earned her master's and a doctorate from Harvard University. She studied Romance literature there, getting her master's in 1970 and her doctorate in 1973.
Career Highlights
Ruth Simmons has had a long and impressive career in education. She has held many important roles at different universities.
Early University Roles
From 1973 to 1976, Simmons was an assistant professor of French at the University of New Orleans. She also worked as an assistant dean there. She then moved to California State University, Northridge in 1977.
Later, she worked at the University of Southern California as an assistant dean. In 1983, she joined Princeton University. At Princeton, she served as an assistant dean and then an associate dean of faculty. She also worked as a provost at Spelman College from 1990 to 1991.
Leading Smith College
In 1995, Ruth Simmons became the president of Smith College. She led the college until 2001. During her time as president, Smith College made history. It launched the first engineering program ever offered at a women's college in the U.S. This was a big step for women in science and engineering.
Leading Brown University
In November 2000, Simmons was chosen to lead Brown University. She became the first African-American woman to be president of an Ivy League school. She officially started her role in October 2001. She also taught as a professor in literature and Africana studies. In 2001, Time magazine called her America's best college president.
At Brown, she started a big fundraising effort called Boldly Brown: The Campaign for Academic Enrichment. The goal was to raise money to make Brown's academic programs even better. The campaign aimed for $1.4 billion but actually raised more than $1.6 billion. This money helped support student scholarships and faculty.
In 2006, Simmons gave a speech at the historic Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. She spoke about religious freedom. In 2011, Simmons announced she would step down as president of Brown. She left the role in June 2012.
Leading Prairie View A&M University
After a few years of retirement, Simmons returned to lead Prairie View A&M University in 2017. This university is an HBCU in her home state of Texas. She first served as interim president, then became the eighth president in December 2017. She was the first woman to hold this position at Prairie View A&M.
At Prairie View A&M, Simmons worked to make the university financially stronger. She focused on raising money, including for "Panther Success Grants" for students. Her goal was to help the university continue to be excellent in teaching and research. In 2022, she announced her plans to retire from this role.
During her five years as president, scholarships at Prairie View A&M increased. Donations to the university also grew by 40%.
Awards and Honors
Ruth Simmons has received many awards and honors for her work in education and leadership.
- She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- In 2000, she received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed her to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.
- In 2010, she received a BET Honors award.
- She was also awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2010 for her work helping others.
- In 2012, Brown University renamed a part of its campus, Lincoln Field, in her honor. It is now called Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle.
- She received honorary doctorates from several universities in 2012.
- In 2012, she was named a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. This is a very high honor from France.
- In 2021, she was included in the Forbes 50 Over 50 list, which recognizes successful women over 50.
- In 2023, Brown University renamed its Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice in her honor.
- She delivered the 2023 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, a top honor in the humanities.
- In 2024, she was elected a member of the Texas Institute of Letters.
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