Andrea B. Sims, C'78 Scholarship
Donation protected
The Andrea Battle Sims, C’78 - Memorial Scholarship Fund is named for a 1978 graduate of Spelman College who was a lifelong learner and believer in education. To this end, Andrea wished to provide opportunities for others to pursue their educational dreams. The purpose of the scholarship is to aid deserving students at her alma mater, Spelman College, who are pursuing educational goals in the fields of Science, Technology and Math (STEM).
Andrea’s ‘love language’ was giving. She was genuine in her affection for and commitment to others. With kindness, a buoyant, positive, cheerful spirit and generosity as her hallmarks, Andrea Battle Sims was called to surrender her spirit to the Lord on Friday, June 8, 2018. She gracefully battled pancreatic cancer for the past three years, and was also a 22 year breast cancer survivor. These experiences fed a lot of what she did as a person.
Andrea’s enduring attitude was "I do believe that you can be healed, and believing is part of the battle.” She is quoted as having said, "if you believe you can be healed, act like it." Taking her words to heart, Andrea kept on living and believing until the end. With everything she faced over the past few years, Andrea did so with grace, humility, and faith. In her battle with pancreatic cancer, she refused to be defeated by her illness. She chose to rise above her circumstances through faith in God. Andrea was very clear that she would not accept the prognosis and that she intended to live every moment fully and she did.
Andrea was a beautiful, smart and accomplished woman who will be remembered for her warm smile, kind heart, supportive generosity, and incredible spirit of love, life, and compassion. She also had extreme tenacity and a strong fighting spirit. The essence of Andrea was her ability to connect with others. Whether in the organizations she joined, the church she attended, or the multitude of friends she made in various venues, her life was all about making connections and building relationships.
She was a 1974 graduate of Lutheran High School in Los Angeles, California. Andrea attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, in 1978. She went on to graduate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Master of Science in Operations Research Management in 1980.
An expert in technology, Andrea carved out an expansive career with organizations including AT&T, Progressive Insurance, National City Bank, Cleveland Municipal School District and as the Deputy Director of Information Technology for Cuyahoga County. Most recently, she was employed for 12 years with The Waters Consulting Group of Dallas, Texas as an Executive Recruiter for public sector executives.
Balancing the demands of her professional career and motherhood, Andrea also found time for community engagement and helping others to achieve their goals. Active in many civic and professional organizations, she was a current or former member of many organizations including, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter; Western Reserve (OH) Chapter, The Links, Inc.; the Spelman Club of Cleveland; the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Cleveland; Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Cleveland Chapter; Hawken School Parent Association; the Junior League of Cleveland, and two book clubs – Bookends and the Dysart Book Club.
Andrea paid it forward through her commitment to cancer awareness groups, including serving on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, Cuyahoga Unit, The Free Clinic/Circle Health Services; Minority Women with Breast Cancer, and The Gathering Place, a community organization assisting individuals and families touched by cancer.
Andrea’s ‘love language’ was giving. She was genuine in her affection for and commitment to others. With kindness, a buoyant, positive, cheerful spirit and generosity as her hallmarks, Andrea Battle Sims was called to surrender her spirit to the Lord on Friday, June 8, 2018. She gracefully battled pancreatic cancer for the past three years, and was also a 22 year breast cancer survivor. These experiences fed a lot of what she did as a person.
Andrea’s enduring attitude was "I do believe that you can be healed, and believing is part of the battle.” She is quoted as having said, "if you believe you can be healed, act like it." Taking her words to heart, Andrea kept on living and believing until the end. With everything she faced over the past few years, Andrea did so with grace, humility, and faith. In her battle with pancreatic cancer, she refused to be defeated by her illness. She chose to rise above her circumstances through faith in God. Andrea was very clear that she would not accept the prognosis and that she intended to live every moment fully and she did.
Andrea was a beautiful, smart and accomplished woman who will be remembered for her warm smile, kind heart, supportive generosity, and incredible spirit of love, life, and compassion. She also had extreme tenacity and a strong fighting spirit. The essence of Andrea was her ability to connect with others. Whether in the organizations she joined, the church she attended, or the multitude of friends she made in various venues, her life was all about making connections and building relationships.
She was a 1974 graduate of Lutheran High School in Los Angeles, California. Andrea attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, in 1978. She went on to graduate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Master of Science in Operations Research Management in 1980.
An expert in technology, Andrea carved out an expansive career with organizations including AT&T, Progressive Insurance, National City Bank, Cleveland Municipal School District and as the Deputy Director of Information Technology for Cuyahoga County. Most recently, she was employed for 12 years with The Waters Consulting Group of Dallas, Texas as an Executive Recruiter for public sector executives.
Balancing the demands of her professional career and motherhood, Andrea also found time for community engagement and helping others to achieve their goals. Active in many civic and professional organizations, she was a current or former member of many organizations including, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter; Western Reserve (OH) Chapter, The Links, Inc.; the Spelman Club of Cleveland; the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Cleveland; Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Cleveland Chapter; Hawken School Parent Association; the Junior League of Cleveland, and two book clubs – Bookends and the Dysart Book Club.
Andrea paid it forward through her commitment to cancer awareness groups, including serving on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, Cuyahoga Unit, The Free Clinic/Circle Health Services; Minority Women with Breast Cancer, and The Gathering Place, a community organization assisting individuals and families touched by cancer.
Organizer
Steven Sims
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
