S. Dallas Simmons, who served as the ninth president of historically Black Virginia Union University in Richmond, died on July 5. He was 74 years old.
A native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, Dr. Simmons earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham. He held a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Dr. Simmons began his career in the academic world at director of the computer center at North Carolina Central University. He served in a similar role at Norfolk State University in Virginia before returning to NCCU as an assistant professor of business. He later served as vice chancellor for university relations at NCCU.
In 1981, Dr. Simmons became president of St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He served as president at St. Paul’s College for four years before accepting the position as president of Virginia Union University. He served in that role from 1985 to 1999.
