Ruth Simmons, the President’s Distinguished Fellow at Rice University and a pioneering leader in higher education, was presented with the National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House Oct. 21.
The National Humanities Medal honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens’ engagement with history or literature or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to cultural resources.
“At a time when the study of the humanities appears to hold less sway, I am immensely honored to be acknowledged as one who has contributed to emphasizing the importance of these critical fields," Simmons said. "I owe my understanding of my place in the world and my optimism about the good that we can collectively achieve to the history, art, culture and philosophy that I studied. My hope is that every student could benefit from greater lifelong familiarity with and enjoyment of the humanities.”
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.
“Welcome to the White House, the newest recipients of the Medal of Arts and Humanities — truly inspiring individuals,” Biden said during the ceremony. “With absolute courage, you combat racial stereotypes, confront ghosts of history and speak truth to power.
“You’ve all broken barriers, you’ve blazed new trails and you’ve redefined culture. You are the truth tellers, bridge builders, chain seekers, and above all, you are the masters of your craft that have made us a better America with all you have done.”
A valuable adviser and influential voice throughout her career in education, Simmons served as president of Brown University from 2001-12, becoming the first Black woman to lead an Ivy League institution. She is a former director of African American studies at Princeton University and past chair of the Harvard University Visiting Committee for African American Studies. In 2003, she led the Slavery and Justice Initiative at Brown, inspiring a wave of similar initiatives around the world.
“The National Humanities Medal recipients have enriched our world through writing that moves and inspires us, scholarship that enlarges our understanding of the past and through their dedication to educating, informing and giving voice to communities and histories often overlooked,” said Shelly C. Lowe, chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). “I am proud to join President Biden in recognizing these distinguished leaders for their outstanding contributions to our nation’s cultural life.”
Simmons was the keynote speaker at Rice President Reginald DesRoches’ inauguration in 2022. She served as president of Prairie View A&M University from 2017-23 and joined Rice as the President’s Distinguished Fellow in March 2023.
Simmons delivered the 2023 Jefferson Lecture for the NEH and recently authored the bestselling memoir, “Up Home: One Girl’s Journey.”