John Simmons '60

Alumnus leads life of leadership

John Simmons '60 has led a life filled with service and leadership, which continues with his current role on the leadership committee for the Drury Campaign for Fine Arts to benefit the Pool Art Center.

Simmons received a BA from Drury in 1960. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he completed a degree in architecture and an MA in 1962. His postgraduate studies and research experience include work at Indiana University, Penn State, University of Durham, England, and the University of Rome, Italy.

Simmons volunteered with the first Peace Corps group assigned to Tunisia. During his two-year term, he took the Foreign Service exams, and was admitted as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. His work for the State Department included Vietnam, the Middle East, and East Africa, and tours in Washington, DC.

Simmons returned to Springfield in 1968. At that time, he joined Drury, and from 1969 to 1983, he chaired the department of art and architecture. He also served as chair of the humanities division from 1977 to 1981.

He founded John H. Simmons and Associates, Inc., a contract-consulting firm that has been in continuous operation for 26 years.

For three years beginning in 1983, Simmons was country director for the Peace Corps in Tunisia.

Simmons continues to work for the U.S. Department of State, as well as for other governmental agencies and private entities, including several Fortune 500 companies. He maintains his work with the Peace Corps as a consultant for projects in Israel and East Africa.

Currently, Simmons serves as the director and president of two not-for-profit holding companies. The Eden Foundation and Eden Heritage Foundation operate facilities that provide several categories of care for adult and elderly residents.

John Simmons' continued commitment to the local, national, and global community, now demonstrated again by his leadership in the Campaign for Fine Arts at Drury, is a benefit and inspiration.