H. Fred Simons, the former vice president for student affairs at the University of Connecticut, died on April 10 at a hospital in Rockville, Connecticut. He was 87 years old.
Dr. Simons was a native of Chowan County, North Carolina. After serving his country in World War II, Simons earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. He became a high school teacher and principal in North Carolina.
Simons later earned a doctorate in higher education at the University of Connecticut and then served in a number of administrative posts at the university, including vice president of student affairs. Dr. Simons established the first full scholarship program for minority students at the university and also created a summer bridge program for minority students to better prepare them for the rigors of the university curriculum.
Dr. Simons retired in 1989. The African American Cultural Center on the University of Connecticut campus is named in his honor.
