Celebrating 125 Years
Simmons University is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary throughout 2024 on campus and with alumnae/i and friends across the nation.
Join Us as We Mark this Historic Moment!
Throughout 2024, we will offer a variety of ways for our community – students, faculty, staff, alumnae/i, and friends – to participate in this historic moment as we honor the many contributions of this institution and the remarkable Simmons trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders who have and continue to shape our University and our world.
Upcoming Events
A Presidential Panel and Tea
- Mar 29, 2025
- 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Linda K. Paresky Conference Center and Virtual
125th Anniversary Reunion
- Jun 6, 2025 to Jun 8, 2025
- All Day
- Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
Explore the 125th Timeline
Share Your Simmons Story
Join us in celebrating Simmons’ 125th anniversary by adding your favorite memories, stories, and/or photos to our wall. Once the window opens, click on the +Add to board button to add your content.
125 Years of Simmons Stories
125 Years of Simmons: Founded for Equality, Built for Now
As Simmons University celebrates its 125th anniversary, culminating in a special 125th Reunion this June, the Simmons Magazine team reflected on our founding mission of empowering women through education to achieve independent livelihoods.
The Simmons Six: Meet the Deans
Meet the new deans of Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science; School of Sciences and Health Professions; Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; School of Management; and School of Nursing.
An Advocate for Women and Children
Esta Soler ’68, ’06HD is the President of Futures Without Violence (FUTURES). Based in San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C., this nonprofit organization aims to prevent violence against women and families.
Editor Extraordinaire Inspired Generations of Journalists
A World War II military veteran turned journalist, Professor Emeritus Alden W. Poole was a faculty member and later chair of Simmons’ Department of Communications from 1955 to 1986. He taught courses in journalism, article writing, and copyediting. Poole also supervised contributors of the student newspaper (then called Janus).
Gregory Maguire ’78MA Defying Gravity
Gregory Maguire '78MA, best-selling author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, reflects on his time as one of the first graduates of the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature program at Simmons, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Harbinger of Health, Racial, and Gender Equity
An early proponent of reproductive rights and a courageous advocate of racial, socioeconomic, and gender equity decades before the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, Dr. Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee, Class of 1920, was a visionary leader ahead of her time.
John Simmons: A Businessman with a Pivotal Vision
In honor of the University’s 125th anniversary, we offer an in-depth chronicle of the life and legacy of founder John Simmons (1796–1870).
Lived Experience: An Engine of Advocacy
A motivated advocate for social justice, Rayna Hill ’22MA/MPP is creating an equitable future for LGBTQ+ youth in the state of Massachusetts.
Kicking Off the Celebration
President Wooten shares her excitement in this message to the community.
Simmons Alumnae/i Through History
For the past 125 years, Simmons alumnae/i have challenged the status quo, broken down barriers, and helped to create a more just world.
Proclamation
Whereas, Simmons University is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2024; AND;
Whereas, Simmons University was founded October 30, 1899 by John Simmons, a wealthy Boston clothing manufacturer who believed that women should be able to lead independent lives and earn their own living; AND;
Whereas, Simmons University is the first school of social work and degree granting program in the United States established in 1903; AND;
Whereas, Simmons University’s quasquicentennial celebrates “Simmons 125, Founded Equality, Built for Now” is a historic moment to reaffirm and celebrate the shared spirit, values and impact that connects Sharks to each other and to the City of Boston; NOW;
Therefore, I, Michelle Wu, do hereby proclaim November 6, 2024 to be
SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
QUISQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Day
in the City of Boston
On this day I urge all my fellow Bostonians to join me in honoring and celebrating 125 years of the remarkable trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders of Simmons University.
Michelle Wu
Mayor of Boston
November 6, 2024
Download a Zoom Background to Use Throughout the Year
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