“I’m just an ordinary person who got put in touch with the right people that impacted me profoundly,” said Ruth Simmons, reflecting on her life journey.

During the Oct. 17 Living Writers event in Persson Auditorium, Simmons delved into her memoir “Up Home” and what she has learned from her various life experiences. 

As the youngest of twelve children, Simmons was born in Grapeland, Texas, to sharecropper parents. She later moved to Houston in her adolescent years and then attended Dillard University. Simmons received her Ph.D. from Harvard University, later becoming the president of Smith College, Brown University and Prairie View A&M University. She is the first female Black president of an Ivy League school.

Though this journey is nothing short of extraordinary, Simmons’ intention with this memoir was to explain her life story to her students so that they would stop idolizing her. In many ways, “Up Home” is a love letter to all the people who fundamentally impacted Simmons. According to her, she is just a normal person who met extraordinary people. “Up Home” is an ode to these individuals, from Simmons’ kindergarten teacher, Miss Ida Mae Henderson, to her secondary school teachers, Mrs. Modiria Caraway and Miss Lillie, to her college professors, like Dr. Saucedo, and her family members. 

“Up Home” is a way to record Simmons’ family legacy. It remains a firsthand account of what it was like to live in the country at the time of enormous segregation, racism and bigotry. It is also a memoir showing that people who are given a chance can make a difference.

“Don’t categorize people as unworthy because of the circumstances of their life. Invest in everybody,” Simmons said. 

She hopes that “Up Home” can inspire policy-makers to learn about the dire circumstances that affect underprivileged children in the United States so that everyone can have the same opportunities that she was fortunate to receive. 

“Up Home” also aims to be a way to bridge the gap between opposing views. She appreciates that her memoir sparks conversation on contentious topics and is open to conversation with anyone.

“I cannot resist the temptation that we can reach a compromise against the chasm of hatred,” Simmons said.

As an educator, Simmons creates environments where these discussions can be continued. She stresses the importance of the humanities and the study of languages as these subjects will make students better global citizens and will equip them with the skills to have these productive conversations. Simmons has been a steadfast advocate for student activism. She aims to continue making college campuses places where students can learn about themselves and their values. 

Colgate University President Brian W. Casey worked with Simmons early in his career at Brown, and reflected on her philosophy as an educator.

“Ruth Simmons is perhaps one of the greatest leaders in American higher education for the last quarter of a century. She utterly transformed Smith College, then Brown University, then Prairie View.  In each of her times as president, she led with such intelligence and such strength. Now she has written a memoir about her incredible journey from Grapeland, Texas, the 12th child of sharecropper parents, to Harvard and then to Brown. It is a remarkable journey wonderfully told,” Casey said. “On a personal note, Dr. Simmons’ visit means much to me. I had the opportunity to work with her at Brown University years ago. To welcome her to Colgate is an absolute honor for me.”

Simmons’ warm and welcoming nature made for an extremely educational experience according to first-year Gabriella Moreira, a student in the Living Writers first-year seminar.

“Dr. Simmons’ passion for her profession and her penchant for reflection were clear in the way she responded to our questions with eloquent, thoughtful insights: after hearing her response to the first question, I feel like she had at once answered all of mine,” Moreira said. “Listening to Dr. Simmons, I felt less like a part of a faceless audience — I felt as if I were one of her students.” 

Simmons is an educator with the most inspiring life story. Her visit to Colgate also demonstrates her strong character and drive to continually make positive changes in the lives of all students. She is a testament to how education can change a person’s life fundamentally and continues to be a role model for all educators across the country.