By Andrew Thompson

Sims, Ph.D., joined VCU’s foreign languages department in 1976 and has left a lasting impression across the decades. As coordinator of Spanish studies in the School of World Studies, he shared his passion with generations of students and helped give shape to VCU’s embrace of language instruction.

“Dr. Sims brought consistency, clarity and a steady sense of purpose to the department,” said instructor Pablo de Cuba Soria, Ph.D. “You could always count on him to be available. He genuinely cared about his students’ growth.”

“He was highly influential in developing the Spanish curriculum,” added associate professor Duanel Diaz Infante, Ph.D. “He brought a wealth of experience — as the most senior member — while remaining consistently open to new perspectives.”

Sims built on his interest in languages as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where he had the opportunity to study abroad in France.

“It was just an amazing experience. I loved every minute of it,” he said. “That was it for me.”

Sims then earned his master’s degree and later a doctorate in French with a minor in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That melding of languages was reflected in his dissertation, which explored the use of myth by French novelist Claude Simon and Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

After he worked at a Pennsylvania State University branch campus and at Colby College, a position at VCU became available.

“I just wanted a bigger city,” he said. “I wanted a public university. VCU fit the bill.”

Sims earned tenure and later was promoted to full professor in 1992, reflecting his commitment to the university. He published numerous articles and two books about Spanish literature.

“I loved VCU. It was perfect,” he said. “I never thought about changing.”

Sims was a Fulbright scholar in 1987, 1988 and 1992 in Colombia, where he taught courses in Latin American literature. He also supported the region’s literature collection by contributing around 500 books to a local bookstore in the area – and that commitment took root back home as well. Sims became a prominent contributor to VCU Libraries.

“I must have given them over 10,000 books,” he said.

Sims’ contributions were felt more intimately within his department. He was a respected voice in meetings and was steadfast in supporting language programs.

“He didn’t speak just to speak, but when he did, people listened,” de Cuba Soria said. “The way he handled conversations — with patience, honesty and respect. That approach made an impression on many of us and helped shape a more thoughtful culture in the department.”

Sims said he wants most to be remembered as a good teacher, and he will miss the range of students he instructed. Near the end of his career, he expanded his teaching beyond Spanish and shared insight about climate change.

“Teaching climate change, I mean, it changed my perspective,” Sims said. “We live in a new world. It’s a new design space, and everybody’s subject to it.”

In retirement, Sims wants to begin traveling again, with Argentina as the top priority. He is grateful that his VCU experience gave him the opportunity to visit special locations, including the Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

“I loved every minute of it. I got to see a lot of places that I would never have seen,” he said of his half-century at VCU. “I’ve always considered that I had the perfect job. Overall, I wouldn’t change a thing.”