President of Brown University (2001-2012)
Ruth J. Simmons was sworn in as the 18th president of Brown University on July 3, 2001 and concluded her term as president on June 30, 2012. Professor Simmons was elected as Brown’s first female president and she is the first black president of an Ivy League institution. She had been president of Smith College from 1995 until the time of her appointment at Brown.
