Founder’s Day 2026 | Simmons University
On October 30, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 230th birthday of John Simmons, whose extraordinary vision continues to shape our University and the lives of generations of students.
Born in 1796, John Simmons lived in a world vastly different from our own. At a time when opportunities for women were severely limited, he imagined a future in which women could earn independent livelihoods, pursue meaningful careers, and shape their own futures.
His vision was bold for its time. And 230 years after his birth, it remains remarkably relevant.
Imagine what John Simmons might think if he could visit Simmons University today. He would encounter a world transformed by technological innovation, social progress, and vastly expanded opportunities for women. He would see women leading organizations, shaping public policy, advancing research, and strengthening communities in ways that might have been difficult to imagine in his lifetime.
Yet he would also recognize that our work is unfinished. Barriers to opportunity and advancement persist, while technological disruption, evolving workplace demands, and changing expectations about the value of a college degree are reshaping what students need from higher education.
As we celebrate John Simmons’ birthday, we do more than honor the life of our founder. We celebrate the enduring power of an idea: that education can open doors, transform lives, and expand what is possible.
It is an idea that remains as important today as it was when Simmons was founded. And it is why women-centered education is not simply part of our history, but essential to our future.
A Distinctive Mission for a Changing World
There were once more than 250 women's colleges across the United States. Today, only about 30 remain. Simmons holds a distinctive place among them as Boston's only women-centered undergraduate university.
But what makes Simmons important is not our rarity. It is the value of the education we provide.
At Simmons, students develop their voices, challenge assumptions, take intellectual risks, and pursue their passions. Across our undergraduate and graduate programs, we connect academic learning with professional preparation, creating opportunities to apply knowledge, gain practical experience, and build lasting relationships.
The value of a Simmons education extends far beyond a degree or a first paycheck. There is a professional return in the knowledge, credentials, and connections that prepare graduates for meaningful careers. A personal return in the confidence and agency students gain to shape their futures. And a societal return in the contributions they make to their professions and communities.
Our graduates are nurses, social workers, librarians, educators, scientists, business professionals, and leaders across countless fields. They care for our families, connect communities to knowledge and resources, advance innovation, and strengthen the institutions on which we all depend.
Ultimately, the value of a Simmons education lies not only in what our graduates earn, but in who they become and what they make possible for others.
Building the Simmons of Tomorrow
Honoring John Simmons' vision means continuing to advance it. In a rapidly changing higher education landscape, the institutions best positioned for the future are those that understand what makes them distinctive while embracing new ways to meet the needs of students and society.
For Simmons, that means making thoughtful decisions about our programs, partnerships, and resources, while building on the strengths that have defined our University for more than 125 years.
Our location in Boston, a global center of education, healthcare, research, and innovation, is one of those strengths. Through collaboration with businesses, community organizations, and other institutions, we expand opportunities for our students, share resources, and deepen our impact.
That same commitment to community and collaboration is shaping the future of Simmons itself. In January, we will open our new Living and Learning Center, marking the culmination of a once-in-a-generation transformation of our campus. But our vision has always been about more than buildings. It is about creating a stronger, more connected Simmons community, making thoughtful use of our resources, and fostering new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and engagement.
Our founding purpose has never been about standing still. It has always been about expanding what is possible for the future.
A Legacy of Everyday Leadership
John Simmons reminds us that leadership often begins with the courage to imagine a future others cannot yet see. That vision became a lasting legacy because generations of people believed in it and worked to bring it to life.
That is the power of everyday leadership. Through the choices we make, the opportunities we create, and the people we lift along the way, we carry his legacy forward, one purposeful act at a time.
We see that leadership across our community: in every student who discovers their voice, every faculty member who inspires new possibilities, every staff member who creates a sense of belonging, and every alum who opens a door for someone else. Each contributes to the Simmons of today and helps shape what is possible for a brighter tomorrow.
As we celebrate John Simmons' 230th birthday, I am grateful to every member of our community — students, faculty, staff, alums, and friends — who continues to carry his vision forward.
While John Simmons could not have fully imagined the world we inhabit today, I believe he would recognize the same purpose that inspired him to found Simmons more than 125 years ago. Our responsibility is to continue advancing that purpose for the generations who will follow.
The greatest gift we can give our founder is a future worthy of his vision. Happy 230th Birthday, John Simmons!