American Council on Education Honors Two Women Presidents

Ruth J. Simmons, who will soon be stepping down as president of Brown University, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Woman’s Leadership Dinner at the annual meeting of the American Council on Education in Los Angeles. Dr. Simmons has been president of Brown since 2001. Previously, she was president of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

President Simmons is a graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned a Ph.D. in Romance languages and literature at Harvard University.

Beverly Daniel Tatum, president of Spelman College in Atlanta, received the Donna Shavlik Award for her ongoing commitment to women in higher education. President Tatum has led Spelman College since 2002.

Dr. Tatum is a graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She earned a master’s degree at the Hartford Seminary. President Tatum earned a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Michigan. She is the author of the best-selling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race.