Simmons to join cast of 'Survivor: Cambridge'

In their quest to fill the void soon to be left by departing President Lawrence Summers, administrators at Harvard University are employing an unconventional tactic that may land Brown back in the reality TV spotlight. Beginning in June, President Ruth Simmons will take six weeks off from promoting the Campaign for Academic Enrichment to film "Survivor: Cambridge," the 12th installment in the Emmy Award-winning series.

Simmons will compete against other higher education powerhouses - including Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman and former Wellesley College and Duke University President Nan Keohane - as she vies to take over the most coveted administrative position in the country.

Though the physical competition will certainly be a change of pace for Simmons, Marisa Quinn, assistant to the president turned personal trainer, expressed optimism regarding the president's chances. Emerging from the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center yesterday sporting a whistle and "Ruth the Truth" headband, Quinn told The Herald that Simmons' progress is "exceeding expectations."

David Greene, vice president for campus life and student services, agreed with Quinn, saying he is "once again blown away by (Simmons') dedication and focus." Greene, who has been standing in as a dummy during Simmons' daily, 30-minute kickboxing workouts, said he has been particularly impressed by her renewed strength and endurance.

"It's amazing - you take away a few of those campaign breakfast apple fritters, replace them with a few Powerbars and BAM!" Greene said as he clapped his hands and proceeded to jump up and down.

Still, Simmons will need to disprove some skeptics, several of whom have raised concerns that her age might become a liability during the six-week competition, which includes extensive travel through Cambridge's stretch of coffee shops, three-star restaurants and bookstores. Tolliver Carmichael, a 64-year-old Cambridge resident, said he is looking for younger competitors to ultimately emerge victorious.

"At the end of the day, surviving in this town is about endurance," said Carmichael, who chose Tilghman as his top prospect to replace Summers.

In order to prepare for the show, Tilghman has reportedly excused herself from administrative duties and taken to pilates, while Keohane was recently seen purchasing a copy of "Enter the Zone," Barry Sears' guide to all things Zone Diet-related.

Though Quinn said she expects stiff competition, she remained resolute in her support of Simmons.

"We've been doubted before," she said. "Remember satellite fitness centers? People thought we'd lost it. Thirty minutes on an elliptical in Emery, and those same people are singing a different tune."

Rafe Judkins '05, a contestant on last year's "Survivor: Guatemala" who came up short in the final round of competition, had several pieces of advice for Simmons, which he relayed to The Herald in a letter sent from an undisclosed location. Judkins is currently training for a high-level position in Brown's Outdoor Leadership Training Program.

"Don't make the same mistake I did. Those people aren't your friends," Judkins wrote. "Nice guys do indeed finish last, and we'll spend the rest of our days teaching Ivy Leaguers how to build a fire while the movers and shakers spend their millions."

For her part, Simmons declined to comment for this article, saying it would be inappropriate for her to discuss the show at this time.

"I wouldn't want to jeopardize the training process," she wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.