PVAMU: Dr. Ruth J. Simmons awarded National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden

Ruth J. Simmons, Prairie View A&M University’s eighth president and the first woman in the University’s history to hold the prestigious role, was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on October 21, 2024.

This prestigious honor, which acknowledges those who have significantly enhanced our understanding of the human condition, enriched public engagement with history and literature, or expanded access to cultural resources, is truly well-deserved. President Emerita Ruth J. Simmons has been a beacon of innovation and excellence for many years. Her visionary leadership at Prairie View set the stage for several extraordinary advancements we witness on “The Hill.” Under her leadership, Prairie View grew its endowment by 40%, increased fundraising, and boosted financial aid. In 2020, billionaire MacKenzie Scott donated $50 million to the University. Dr. Simmons allocated the generous gift to initiatives designed to ignite the campus, including the launch of The Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice and founding the preeminent Toni Morrison Writing Program, in honor of the writer and Ms. Scott, her former student.   

Dr. Simmons’ distinguished academic work epitomizes the essence of this distinguished award. As a professor of literature in the Romance languages, she has been recognized as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Additionally, she holds the Centennial Medal from Harvard University, Brown Faculty’s highest honor: the Susan Colver Rosenberger Medal in 2011, the 2002 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, and the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.   

Dr. Ruth J. Simmons National Humanities Medal Recipient

During the ceremony, President Biden presented the 2022 and 2023 National Humanities Medals in conjunction with the National Medals of Arts to 19 distinguished recipients, including writers, historians, educators, and filmmakers. Among the recipients were two luminaries with ties to Prairie View A&M: Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, and a leader Dr. Simmons described as one of the most important and influential individuals in the world today ahead of his keynote address at PVAMU’s 140th Spring commencement, and Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation and a prize-winning and bestselling author, renowned poet, educator, scholar, and cultural advocate. Dr. Simmons welcomed Ms. Alexander to PVAMU on November 7, 2022, where they shared a reflective and insightful fireside conversation with our Panther community.  

President Biden praised the honorees for being a source of profound inspiration, adding, “You all help us find meaning and purpose in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary, providing hope, wisdom, and laughter when we needed it, and we needed a way forward. With absolute courage, you combat racial stereotypes, confront ghosts of history, and speak truth to power.” 

The first National Humanities Medal was awarded in 1996. Since then, 225 medals have been bestowed—207 to individuals and 18 to organizations—including this year’s recipients. 

Ruth J. Simmons now holds the esteemed position of President’s Distinguished Fellow at Rice University, culminating a remarkable 50-year journey in education.  

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