28 Days of Black at Brown: Day 27: Ruth Simmons, 18th President of Brown

Throughout the month of February, Brown Athletics will celebrate Black History Month through the "28 Days of Black at Brown" series. Each day during the month, the Bears will recognize African Americans who have made an impact on the university community and beyond.

28 Days of Black at Brown

Ruth Simmons, 18^th President of Brown University

Ruth Simmons served as the 18th president of Brown University from 2001-12, becoming the first African American president of an Ivy League institution. Simmons was elected Brown's first female president in November 2000, assuming that office in the fall of 2001. She also held appointments as a professor in the Departments of Comparative Literature and Africana Studies. In 2002, Newsweek selected her as a Ms. Woman of the Year, while in 2001, Time named her as America's best college president. During her tenure at Brown, Simmons created an ambitious set of initiatives designed to expand and strengthen the faculty; increased financial support and resources for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students; improved facilities; renewed a broad commitment to shared governance; and ensured that diversity informs every dimension of the university. These initiatives led to a major investment of new resources in Brown's educational mission. President Simmons announced her decision to step down on September 15, 2011. In May 2012, the Corporation honored her by designating the Lower Campus as the Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle. She concluded her term as president on June 30, 2012.

Brown University Athletics

28 Days of Black at Brown: Day 27: Ruth Simmons, 18th President of Brown

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