Simmons University Alumnae/i

Dear Alumnae/i and Friends,
Every year at Commencement, Simmons University is proud to present Honorary Degrees as part of the annual ceremony. In 2025, we will bestow Honorary Degrees on four to six individuals who exemplify the Simmons mission and spirit. Simmons University grants Honorary Degrees based on the following criteria:

To honor individuals' achievements across the fields of human endeavor, including public service in all its forms, the creative and performing arts, business, and the professions.
To honor the mission, vision, values, and priorities of the University.
To represent the ethnic, racial, gender, sexual, social, economic, national, and cultural diversity of the Simmons community and our larger communities.
Candidates should be prominent in their field, and should ordinarily have accomplishments demonstrated in a substantial body of work over many years. These achievements should align with the priorities and values of the University. All members of the Simmons community (students, faculty, alumnae/i, staff and friends) are invited to submit a nomination to the Honorary Degree Committee here: https://forms.simmons.edu/view.php?id=28&_ga=2.130590927.1761894277.1674595917-804405535.1657031044&bbeml=tp-785g2x8IwUm-s2iIBbfPiA.jDAtvIcpHjkqSR_2T5KCbJA.rETP3aEJfekedRz-qxaExtQ.l-2KJpgXnGkGXjc5R0iuQNA

Thank you very much for your nominations and input!

All the best,

The Office of the Provost

Simmons University
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
617-521-2041


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Simmons University
300 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115

Fall 2024 Community Read

Dear Alumnae/i and Friends,

The Fall 2024 Community Read for the incoming first year class is YELLOWFACE, by NYT bestselling author and scholar, Rebecca F. Kuang. We invite you to join us for this reading experience!

We are also thrilled to host Rebecca F. Kuang at Simmons University on Monday, October 7 for a keynote, Q&A, and book signing. This event is free and open to Simmons University students, alumnae/i, faculty, and staff.

��️ Author Keynote and Q&A: 5:00 - 6:00 PM (In-Person and Zoom)

��️ Book Signing (Ticketed): 6:00 - 7:00 PM (In-Person Only)

��️ Location: Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Main College Building, 300 Fenway

Registration will open on September 7. ***Please note that this is a ticketed event.*** In-person seating and book signing tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Register starting September 7 - https://buff.ly/3WQ8iwI

The Fall Community Read at Simmons is a common reading experience that brings together first-year undergraduates and members of the Simmons community for dynamic discussions, debates, and reflections on contemporary themes or issues.

YELLOWFACE a darkly satirical novel about a young woman who steals the manuscript of a recently deceased former classmate and re-brands it as her own, under the culturally ambiguous name of Juniper Song. With its immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of artistic jealousy, cultural appropriation, racial stereotypes, and the terrifying alienation of social media.

We are giving away 10 free copies! Enter the giveaway by 8:00 AM on September 9, 2024 for a chance to win a FREE book! - https://buff.ly/4dRsSUv

Copies of YELLOWFACE are available to borrow from the Simmons University Library or purchase from the Simmons Bookstore, located on the basement level of the Main College Building.

The Community Read is sponsored by the Division of Student Engagement, Success, and Diversity, the Jennifer Eckert Center for Leadership and Engagement, the Provost's Office, and the Simmons University Library. This initiative is made possible through a generous donation from Eileen Friars '72.

Dear African American Alumnae/i Community:
Please join me in celebrating President Wooten's upcoming birthday on August 18th! Here are ways that we can show our appreciation and gratitude:

Make a donation electronically to the Black Alumnae/i Scholarship Fund in her honor. I encourage you to make a gift of $125 in honor of our 125th anniversary year: https://give.simmons.edu/campaigns/32328/donations/new?a=8413453&designation=blackalumnaeisymposiumlegacyscholarship&bbeml=tp-785g2x8IwUm-s2iIBbfPiA.jWlsGe60M10y2U_UuhG9IgQ.r0-dw0b-vj06MHMxrvgfqnQ.lnxt2tZXcSUe0imlZBmldOw

Send your birthday card or gift by check to the Office of Advancement, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115. Make your check out to 'Simmons University', adding 'Happy Birthday, President Wooten' in the Memo line or in an accompanying card or note.

Thank you for your support,
Millicent Gorham '76, '11HD
Simmons University Trustee

Will you celebrate Founder's Day with Simmons this year?
Wednesday, October 30 is Founder’s Day--John Simmons’ birthday, and in honor of his legacy, we annually bring the community together to celebrate our shared institution and the joy of experiencing the diversity and vibrancy of Simmons.

Plans in the works for this year call for:
Remarks from President Wooten around 4:00 p.m.
An on-campus party featuring the essay contest winner and what's a party without cake?
A light dinner reception at 5 p.m.
Early evening courses (ex: sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, social work, library science, nursing) starting at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.
We are looking for a preliminary alumnae/i headcount - please respond with your interest by this Sunday, August 11. Additional details will be forthcoming.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cKNZ9Sp-_m1h7Ilo7-N4UUZcMfojYtfTfZuAhKUJ9rA/prefill

This morning, President Wooten had the honor of being a guest on the Boston-based talk show . Influential Bostonian James ‘Jimmy’ Hills discussed the importance of leadership and higher education. Go to the recording here:

- YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Can you believe Simmons University is turning 125 this year? It’s time to dust off those old yearbooks and get ready for a reunion like no other. On June 6-8, 2025, Simmons and the Alumnae/i Association are teaming up to throw a huge celebration, and we want YOU to be there!

• Why is this reunion different?
o ALL classes, ALL schools and ALL programs will be invited!
o ALL faculty, current and past, will be invited!
o ALL staff and ALL members of our community will be invited!

This has never been attempted before.

This will also be the last opportunity that our residence campus will be available to us - your last chance to walk through before it gets a major makeover. Let’s relive those days, share some laughs, make new memories and get excited for our future together.
We’re aiming to gather more than 500 alumnae/i for this celebration weekend, making it feel just like our bustling days on campus. And for an extra dose of fun, bring your memorabilia along! Imagine flipping through those yearbook, scrapbook, and photo album pages with your old friends, sharing stories, and having a great time. It’s also an opportune time to get updated or missing signatures!

Over the course of 2024-2025, we’ve got a jam-packed schedule of events to honor Simmons' amazing journey and the incredible community that has made Simmons what it is today. Our theme for this year-long celebration is: Founded for Equality, Built for Now. This milestone isn’t just about reconnecting; it’s also a crucial fundraiser to support Simmons' future. Our goal is to raise $500,000 toward scholarship and financial aid to continue our legacy of empowering students through a women’s centered education. Every dollar counts in helping us provide scholarships, enhance programs, and maintain the excellence that Simmons is known for. You’ll have the option to purchase one of several packages that includes donations. Together, we can ensure that future generations have the same, or Better, incredible opportunities than we did.

Registration for this can’t-miss milestone event opens in the fall. Keep an eye on your inbox and the Simmons 125th website for more details. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this chance to reconnect and celebrate everything that makes Simmons so special. Meanwhile, we want to hear from YOU:

• Share your Simmons story or photo on the 125th page of Simmons’ website.

• Have questions? Contact me or Simmons Advancement ([email protected]).

Let’s make this 125th anniversary an unforgettable event. We can’t wait to see you back on campus, sharing stories and reliving your most memorable moments at Simmons.

With excitement and anticipation,
Enna Jimenez ‘91, ‘06EE, Honorary Trustee
Your 125th Anniversary Planning Executive Director

Simmons stands out for its dedication to empowering women and promoting gender equity. As we strive to end our fiscal year strong, the support of the Simmons alumnae/i community is crucial.

We only need about 230 new donor gifts to reach our alumnae/i participation goal. Gifts of any size count and make a difference in showing how when Simmons leads, the world works better!

Your donation before 11:59pm today, June 30 will:
-Enhance cutting-edge facilities like the nursing simulation center.
-Provide more scholarships and fellowships to ensure accessibility for all students.
-Support the ongoing development of our curriculum to keep pace with industry demands.

So please make a gift today. Your generosity will have a substantial impact, whether it funds student support or academic innovation.

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/32328/donations/new

Read all about Jubilee Reunion 2024 here!

https://www.simmons.edu/news/reunion-2024-jubilee-classes

Karen Thomas

Our Annual Alumnae/i Association Meeting was held on May, 18, 2024. You can view the recording HERE and catch up on all that is the Simmons Alumnae/i Association!!
https://youtu.be/yhF0bljqmL0

Our Annual Alumnae/i Association Meeting was held on May, 18, 2024. You can view the recording HERE and catch up on all that is the Simmons Alumnae/i Association!!
https://youtu.be/yhF0bljqmL0

Simmons Alumnae/i in Arizona recently toured the Tucson Museum of Art and lunched at Café a la C’art. With only a ten-year age span between all of the participants, the conversation flowed freely and many shared similar interests, to everyone's delight

Simmons Arizona Alumnae/i Event
Saturday, April 6, 2024
12:00 - 2:30 PM MST

Tucson Museum of Art & Café a la C’art

140 North Main Street
Tucson, AZ 85701

Lunch will be at Café a la C’art (located inside the museum) at noon followed by a private museum tour at 1:15 PM. Stay tuned for more details including how to register.

Join the Arizona Regional Group on Simmons Network and the Simmons University Arizona Alumnae/i group on Facebook to further connect. If you haven’t already become a Simmons Network member, this link will require you to request access (click “Get Started”) before joining this group. Please let Simmons know of any address/phone changes by emailing [email protected]

This regional event is being hosted by Leslie Dykeman ’70. Please contact her with any questions you may have. You can reach her at [email protected] or 518-253-7417 (cell).

We hope to see you in April!

Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program Lectureship

https://www.simmons.edu/events/dotson-bridge-and-mentoring-program-lectureship-event

https://www.simmons.edu/news/memory-elizabeth-betty-rawlins

In Memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Rawlins | Simmons University A believer in the transformative impact of learning and education, Rawlins was an alumna of Simmons’ graduate urban education program. She went on to serve in a variety of roles at our institution – working with and mentoring students as a lecturer, associate professor, professor, and associate ...

I share in our community's sadness at the lost of our beloved Professor Langer earlier this month. This tribute from the New York Times really spoke to me ... it may to you, as well.

Lawrence Langer, Unblinking Scholar of Holocaust Literature, Dies at 94 He insisted that there were no morals to be found in the murder of six million Jews, nor was language itself capable of fully describing it.

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day when we join people around the world to celebrate generosity and the impact that philanthropy has on each of our lives. At Simmons, our alumnae/i and donors step up every day to support financial aid, leadership programs, and innovative educational opportunities in fields that improve the human condition.

We have set a $4.92 million year-end goal to enrich the student experience in 2024. Join us today by making your Giving Tuesday gift to support the power of a women-centered education that prepares students for their life’s work: engage.simmons.edu/register/givingtuesday2023

Can't make it to campus for Alumnae/i, Family & Friends Weekend? You can still attend some key sessions virtually! Join the celebration of our new Living and Learning Center at Simmons on the Rise or have your voice heard at one of our Building Our Future sessions, where you can connect with fellow alumnae/i and talk about the most pressing issues facing our community. Register now for our virtual sessions:

Alumnae/i, Family and Friends Weekend 2023 | Simmons University Come Home…Let’s Build Our Future Together! Dear Alumnae/i, Family and Friends,

Come back to campus and get right back in the classroom with exclusive learning opportunities at Alumnae/i, Family & Friends Weekend, including:

- A discussion on banned books with experts from the School of Library and Information Science
- A Hispanic Heritage Month cooking class with Chef Rhiannon
- Opportunities to sit in on classes with current Simmons students

Register today to take advantage of these opportunities and more at https://buff.ly/452Lxru

Alumnae/i, Family and Friends Weekend 2023 | Simmons University Come Home…Let’s Build Our Future Together! Dear Alumnae/i, Family and Friends,

Alumnae/i, Family, & Friends weekend is coming soon! Register now to join us October 13-15 for your chance to attend these special events:

Outdoor Movie Night and Discussion featuring Barbie

The official groundbreaking of our new Living and Learning Center

Off-campus excursions to Fenway Park, Duck Boat Tours, Ghosts and Gravestones tour, Blue Man Group, and more

Register now to join the fun!

Alumnae/i, Family and Friends Weekend 2023 | Simmons University Come Home…Let’s Build Our Future Together! Dear Alumnae/i, Family and Friends,

Help show how when Simmons leads the worlds works better! Make your gift to your alma mater by midnight tonight to make it count for this fiscal year. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a difference! Your alumnae/i giving participation also helps secure funds from major investors and institutional partners. Our greatest gratitude for all your T’s of philanthropy: time, talent, ties, testimony and treasure.

Simmons University Join me and make a gift to Simmons University

Celebrity Series of Boston

Invites You to a Performance of

Nnenna Freelon '79

Fri. March 10, 7:00 PM



Use Code SIMMONS for 20% Discount



Current students can also purchase $20 tickets online at celebrityseries.org/studenttickets or at the door w/ valid ID

Join Assistant Provost Nakeisha Cody and support Simmons on International Women's Day this year! As Boston's only women-centered institution of higher learning, Simmons is building women leaders who make a difference in the world every day.

International Women's Day 2023 Join me and celebrate International Women's Day by supporting Simmons University!

Join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Stephen London on Sunday, February 12 at Simmons University. The formal program will be from 11:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m at the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center. A reception will follow with light refreshments at the Common Grounds Cafe. A virtual option to attend will also be available.

Please RSVP by Saturday, February 4: http://ow.ly/cZM450MIbPX

We are excited to announce that Rehema Ellis ’74, ‘00HD will be moderating the 2023 Ifill Forum on Saturday, February 11.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Boston, Ellis graduated from Simmons College in Boston and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in New York. She is NBC News’ Chief Education Correspondent. Her reports appear across NBC News and MSNBC’s platforms, including NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, TODAY, NBCNews.com, and NBC News NOW.

Ellis has distinguished herself as a lead correspondent and received numerous awards, including local and national Emmys, Edward R. Murrow Awards, Associated Press awards, and awards from the National Association of Black Journalists.

Register for the in-person Ifill Forum: https://tinyurl.com/ifill-forum-2023-in-person

Register for the virtual Ifill Forum: https://tinyurl.com/ifill-forum-2023-virtual

We lost a remarkable member of the Simmons University community with the passing of Professor Emeritus Stephen London on December 19, 2022. In the course of his 41 years at Simmons, he established an extraordinary legacy of leadership and service that continues to benefit Simmons, Boston, and communities far beyond, including through the many alumnae/i Steve inspired to serve others.
In cooperation with Steve’s family, Simmons will host a celebration of his life and announce the renaming of the Center for Community Engagement at Simmons to the Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice on Sunday, February 12, 2023, from 11 am to 2 pm. An invitation will be forthcoming, please save the date.
Read more about Steve's legacy: http://ow.ly/f92R50MC3l4

Join us for the fourth annual Ifill Forum on Saturday, February 11, for a discussion on leadership, democracy, and the enduring power of Black women.

This year’s event features a moderated discussion with legendary White House Correspondent April D Ryan, who will be honored with the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award. The event will also include a book signing of Ryan’s recently published “Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem.”

This event will take place at Simmons University and will also be streamed online. Registration for the virtual or in-person event is required.

Register for the in-person event: https://tinyurl.com/ifill-forum-2023-in-person

Register for the virtual event: https://tinyurl.com/ifill-forum-2023-virtual

Happy holidays! May the spirit of the season bring you comfort and joy in many forms! On behalf of the Advancement team and everyone at Simmons, thanks for helping Simmons shape our future.