1967
Tracy Fitzsimmons is born in Norwalk, Ohio. The family moves from Ohio to Missouri to California to Washington and, in 1985, Fitzsimmons graduates from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Wash.
1989
Fitzsimmons earns her Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics at Princeton University, graduating magna cum laude with a certificate of specialization in Latin American Studies. Her thesis is “The Politics of Archaeology.”
1989 to 1991
Fitzsimmons attends Universidad Catolica de Chile, studying political science.
1991
Fitzsimmons earns her Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from Stanford University. Her thesis subject is “Constructing State Nationalism.”
1995
Fitzsimmons earns her Doctor of Political Science degree from Stanford University. Her dissertation subject is “Paradoxes of Participation: Organizations and Democratization in Latin America.”
Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes assistant professor of government at the University of Redlands in Redlands, Calif.
1999
Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes chair of the College of Arts & Sciences and president of the Academic Assembly at the University of Redlands.
She becomes tenured associate professor of government at the University of Redlands.
2000
Dr. Fitzsimmons teaches in Salzburg, Austria, for the spring term.
2001
Fitzsimmons marries Charles Call, Ph.D., on Cinco de Mayo (May 5). Dr. Call also has studied and traveled extensively throughout Latin America.
Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va. Shenandoah has more than 2,000 students (undergraduate and graduate) in five schools: School of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business, School of Health Professions, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and Shenandoah Conservatory.
Shenandoah admits students for two new master’s programs in the School of Health Professions: Athletic Training and Physician Assistant Studies.
Dr. Fitzsimmons organizes Town Hall Meetings on campus as a forum where members of the Shenandoah and Winchester communities could discuss the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Hornets open their second football season in the university’s new Shentel Stadium. The $750,000 naming-rights agreement with Edinburgh, Va.-based Shenandoah Telecommunications Company is the first of its kind in NCAA Division III. The Hornets win their first game in Shentel, 37-6.
The university dedicates its new Northern Virginia Campus facility on Route 7 east of Leesburg, Va. The campus delivers programs in business, nursing, teacher education and technology.
Continuing Education establishes the College for Lifelong Learning.
Shenandoah launches the Willa Cather Institute to support the development of academic programs for students, public lectures and discussions devoted to Cather’s work.
2002
Shenandoah welcomes first class in its new Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Dr. Fitzsimmons oversees the creation and construction of the university’s International Cross-cultural Center (ICC), a place where all students and faculty can meet and exchange ideas. The ICC is dedicated during the university’s annual International Day program.
Fitzsimmons initiates the Citizen Scholar Program at Shenandoah to develop responsible leaders through a challenging and engaging living-and-learning experience for the most promising students in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Shenandoah acquires the Fairfax-Cameron Building (renamed the Bowman Building in 2008) on Cameron Street in downtown Winchester, and the Charles A. Ricketts Press Box is added to the Shentel Stadium facility.
Continuing Education becomes the School of Continuing Education.
Dr. James A. Davis celebrates his 20th anniversary as president of Shenandoah University.
Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes vice president for academic affairs on July 1; she is Shenandoah’s first female vice president. Shenandoah hires Dr. Calvin Allen to replace Fitzsimmons as the dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.
2003
School of Arts & Sciences becomes the College of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Fitzsimmons serves on steering committee of Winchester’s first-ever One Book, One Community Project.
Shenandoah adds Women’s Studies Program as an undergraduate minor and graduate certificate; Dr. Fitzsimmons is among the first Women’s Studies Program faculty members.
The first Athletic Training master’s program class graduates.
The History and Tourism Center at Shenandoah University celebrates its opening in April at its downtown Winchester location.
Shenandoah establishes a Mathematics Learning Center for pre- and in-service high school teachers.
Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre celebrates 20 years of musical theatre.
The university buys the Millwood Avenue Fire & Rescue Squad building. When the rescue company moves to a new facility, Shenandoah will construct a new building for the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business.
2004
Dr. Fitzsimmons gives birth to her daughter Shayla Fitzsimmons-Call on Feb. 29.
Both the Physician Assistant Studies program and the Doctor of Education in Administrative Leadership program graduate their first classes.
Shenandoah’s enrollment hits 3,000 for the first time.
Dr. Fitzsimmons spearheads Shenandoah’s unique Global Citizenship Project (GCP), which sends more than 60 members of the campus community to destinations around the world over spring break - most expenses paid by the university. Individuals write essays stating why they would like to travel abroad, a committee selects the participants, and then it announces travel destinations.
2005
Over spring break, the first Global Citizenship Project participants head to Taiwan, Mali, India, Costa Rica and the Netherlands.
Construction renovations begin on the Wilkins Administration Building to install new heating and air condition systems and upgrade administrative office space.
Shenandoah University and The George Washington University collaborate on a unique program in pharmacogenomics, the study of how genetics affect a body’s response to prescription medications.
Shenandoah breaks ground for a new building for the History & Tourism Center on South Pleasant Valley.
Shenandoah graduates its first doctoral class in Physical Therapy.
Shenandoah University approves its new mission statement, which includes six core values that provide a foundation for the decisions it makes and the programs it offers.
Dr. Fitzsimmons is named senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs.
2006
Dr. Fitzsimmons gives birth to identical twin boys, David “Dash” and Thomas “Jag” Fitzsimmons-Call on Feb. 6.
The Institute for Church Professions is formed to cultivate and nurture new leaders for the church, and the Institute for Entrepreneurship is formed to encourage young entrepreneurs.
The university breaks ground for a 273-space parking garage (which opened in August 2006), a new business school facility, an end-zone building at Shentel Stadium, a new student center, an expanded television center and a pedestrian bridge over Abrams Creek on main campus.
The Edwards Residential Village - formerly the Quality Inn - is dedicated. The 158-bed residence hall is named in honor of H. Robert Edwards and his wife Betty for their many years of service and support of Shenandoah University.
The Kathryn Perry Werner End-Zone Building is dedicated at Shentel Stadium.
Shenandoah’s athletic department adds men’s and women’s track and field as a club sport.
The Romine Living Center - formerly the Holiday Inn Executive Center - is dedicated. The 48-bed residence hall is named in honor of former trustee George L. Romine.
The university now owns almost 125 acres.
2007
The Vickers Communications Center - an expanded television center on Millwood Avenue - is dedicated. The facility is home to both WCT (Shenandoah’s cable television station) and TV3 Winchester (an ABC affiliate).
Shenandoah University earns initial AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International accreditation for its business program.
The Dayton Bridge, funded in large part by alumni from Shenandoah’s Dayton, Va., era, is dedicated on main campus. The bridge spans Abrams Creek between Smith Library and Ruebush Hall.
School of Continuing Education becomes School of Education and Human Development.
President James A. Davis announces he will retire June 30, 2008, after 26 years at Shenandoah University, and the board of trustees announces its selection for his successor: Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons, Shenandoah’s senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs, will become the university’s 16th president and first female president on July 1, 2008.
2008
Halpin-Harrison Hall, the new home of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business opens on Jan. 14 at the start of the spring semester. An official opening event is held on March 28.
The Shenandoah University History & Tourism Center opens on Jan. 14 at the start of the spring semester. On May 6, the building is officially named Davis Hall, in honor of President James A. Davis.
Mitchell “Mitch” Moore is hired as the new vice president for advancement (the position formerly known as vice president for development).
Bryon Grigsby is named Shenandoah’s new senior vice president & vice president for academic affairs, replacing Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons who becomes the university’s president on July 1. Dr. Grisby begins his appointment on July 1.
Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre celebrates 25 years of musical theatre.
Dr. Fitzsimmons becomes Shenandoah University’s 16th president on July 1. Her official inauguration is set for Sept. 25 and 26, 2008.