Spring 2010

THE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2010 1

SPRING 2010

THE MAGAZINE

2 WWW.SIMPSONMAGAZINE.COM

| pres ident ’s message

he late Clark Kerr, one of the great innovators in American higher education, once quipped (and I paraphrase), the three purposes of a university are to provide social lives for the students, sports for alumni and parking for faculty.

While there may be some truth in Kerr’s wit, at Simpson College, our faculty and academic leadership have completed a three-year process to revamp the most important concern of the college: the curriculum. The college curriculum must balance the needs of preparing a graduate for a meaningful career, while developing a capacity for a lifetime of learning as a literate and thoughtful citizen who contributes to the greater good of society.

Simpson’s curriculum must be unique, and built on our college’s core strengths: small classes, one-to-one interaction with faculty, global engagement, the opportunity to build leadership skills and a dedication to service. As a small college, Simpson has the advantage of being nimble and adept at meeting individual students’ learning needs. The curriculum we teach today makes a lifetime of difference in the engaged citizens our students become.

In this issue of the Simpson magazine we introduce our new general education curriculum, the product of intense research, collaboration and more than a few lively debates among passionately opinionated people. It was developed in consultation with employers about the skills they value in the next generation of leaders. And for the last three years, our faculty have built, from the ground up, the kind of education we know our students need to stand out in an increasingly complex and global society.

A college education is one of the most expensive and worthy investments of a person’s lifetime. It is not a commodity; it is a thoughtful, experiential venture that should anticipate the kind of world into which our students will graduate.

A liberal education should not be a series of classes to get out of the way before starting the important classes in a chosen major. Essential skills like writing, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and leadership must become embedded throughout a student’s undergraduate career.

We believe it is not enough for our students to have successful lives with good-paying jobs. We want them to live satisfying lives in communities they help create. It is not enough to immerse students into theory and content. We want them to learn context and relationships across disciplines and knowledge.

At Simpson College, that is far more important than parking.

President

Built on our strengths


contents

26

7

The Magazine

Simpson College PresidentJohn Byrd

PublisherJohn Fuller

Executive Director of College Relations

editorBonnie Harris

assistant editorCarole Conard Schipper ’70

Senior Writer & ResearcherElizabeth Ford

Sports editorBryan Geelan ’07

DesignerLeslie Byars Diehl ’03

PhotographerDavid Peterson

Web architectMissy DeYoung

Touring the Years editorSara Thompson

Copy Center ManagerJenifer Mertes

Contributing WritersChris Goodale ’86

Leslie Midget Held ’86Kelsey Knutson ’10Bobby Nalean ’07

Office of alumni RelationsLeslie Midget Held ’86

Director515-961-1544

Office of College advancementBob Lane ’81Vice President515-961-1549

16 COvER STORy How We Learn

25 CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

26 A SIMPSON SPACE Unforgettable campus places

28 ATHLETICS

32 EXTRA!- Sustainability & Earth Corps- Iowa Tuskegee Airmen - Great Ape Trust

34 UPCOMING EvENTS

35 TOURING THE yEARS

4 THIS IS SIMPSON Inspiring stories about people who

demonstrate the fundamental ideals of Simpson College in the world of family, work, service or scholarship

6 INvESTING IN SIMPSON The generous support of alumni

and friends defines the Simpson Experience

8 FACULTy PURSUITS- Scholarly Work- Where Are They Now?- Faculty Accomplishments

11 EvENING, WEEKEND & GRADUATE PROGRAMS

15 LEADERSHIP Bobby Nalean examines the 5th

Initiative

11

ON THE COvER: Anthony Lyne, a first-year business management major, finds a quiet moment to study in Dunn Library. Photo by David Peterson

Bonnie harrisDirector of

Print Communication

The Simpson magazine is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations. Letters to the Editor and story ideas are welcomed. Send correspondence to Bonnie Harris at [email protected].


henever Nicole Cleveringa ’08 feels overwhelmed, she thinks of the starfish story.

In it, a man walks along the beach, tossing starfish back into the ocean. When a doubter tells the man that there are too many dying starfish on too many beaches for him to make a difference, the man tosses another starfish back into the water and replies, “I just made a difference to that one.”

For Cleveringa, the story is a perfect analogy for her time with Teach for America.

This is Cleveringa’s second and final year with Teach for America, a program that seeks to reduce inequality in the public education system by recruiting exceptional college graduates to teach in rural and urban schools.

This year, she is teaching sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts at C. A. Franklin Elementary School in Kansas City, Mo. Last year, she taught second grade at the school.

Located in an impoverished area of Kansas City, nearly 90 percent of Franklin’s students receive free or reduced-price lunch. Last year, only 7.4 percent of students tested at a proficient level for communication arts. Only 8.7 percent tested proficient for math. At the beginning of March the district’s school board voted to close Franklin, and 25 other Kansas City schools, at the end of the academic year.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, Cleveringa feels optimistic about the progress she is making with her students both academically and behaviorally. She runs her classroom with a stern voice and a simple philosophy: reward good behavior and keep expectations high.

It’s important, she’s learned, to be firm and let them know that she is in charge. It’s equally as important to earn their trust.

“Once you prove to them that you are here to help them learn and grow, they listen,” she said.

An English/communication studies double major at Simpson, Cleveringa is teaching her passion this year, and she tries to convey her interest to her students by keeping them engaged in their learning. For example, after reading A Christmas Carol with her seventh grade students, Cleveringa found an organization to donate tickets to the movie. Her students then compared the two versions with projects during class.

That type of creative teaching is exactly what makes Cleveringa a “jewel,” said Airick Leonard West, who is an at-large board member for the Kansas City, Missouri School District.

Though he is still looking for data to substantiate his belief, West feels the Teach for America program is making a difference in the district. He said he expects results not only in the academic growth of the students but also improvements in

| th is i s s impson

if i make a difference

for one child, i’ve

done what i came to do.

TeaCh fORaMeRiCa

By el izaBeth ford


the culture of learning throughout the school district.

“The other area where I see TFA being transformative is in spearheading a movement from the current teaching culture that says, ‘I’ll teach the students that want to learn’ to a culture of learning that says, ‘I am responsible for the learning of every scholar,’ ” he said.

Cleveringa feels like she has a handle on teaching now, but she is in a completely different place from last year. A spring break mission trip to Mississippi during her junior year at Simpson inspired her to give back to the community, and after graduation, she entered Teach for America with bright-eyed optimism.

Though she felt academically prepared to handle the classroom, she said she was not at all emotionally prepared for the challenges that she would face: the poverty, the lack of her resources at her school, the number of her students for whom violence was a fact of life.

“I came out of Simpson and wanted to change the world,” she said. “I felt like last fall, I got pushed down. I guess I’m harder now.”

Last year, after a parent entered her second-grade class and hit her child in front of the rest of Cleveringa’s students, she left for a week. The moment still haunts her, but in the end, she decided she had to return for her students.

The students are what keep her going, she says, and now when she is feeling frustrated, she remembers her own starfish. Like

her former student Miya, who didn’t know how to read when she entered the second grade but learned by the end of the school year. She knows, at least, she made a difference to her.

“I taught a little girl how to read,” she said. “No one can take that away from me.” ■

TeaCh fORaMeRiCa

SiMPSOn DOnaTeS TO fRanklin eleMenTaRYWhen Cleveringa spoke to the Simpson community about her experiences with Teach for America in November, her presentation sparked an idea.

Director of Procurement Marilyn Leek attended the event, and when she heard about the great need for furniture and supplies in Cleveringa’s school, she knew Simpson could help.

Leek manages Simpson’s surplus property, so she knew what the college had available to donate. In all, Simpson gave Cleveringa’s school 30 tablet armchairs, 40 chairs, four student desks, a chalkboard and two bulletin boards.

Jeff Wagner, interim director of campus services, and Tom Marean, groundskeeper, drove the donation to the school.

“My intent was to help create a better learning environment for children who have little help,” Leek said.

Cleveringa ’08 works with her students at C.A. Franklin Elementary School in Kansas City.

| invest ing in s impson

s I travel around Iowa and the country visiting with Simpson alumni, I am always impressed

by the people who tell me, “There is no way I can ever repay Simpson for all that the institution has done for me.”

The reality is that the more years that transpire since my days at Simpson, the more my appreciation grows, as does my ability to give back. However, I must admit I used to tell the students when they called during the Phonathon,

“Just mark me down for what I gave last year.” Why did I continue to give $50 per year? Because I neglected to comprehend that it is now time for our generation to step up and be leaders. Our parents’ generation has served their turn (and then some), and they are passing the torch to us.

So, dig deep and consider significantly increasing your gift to match the appreciation and love you feel when you think back to your days at Simpson. Consider giving a gift of $1,000 or more and becoming a member of The Presidents’ Society, thus helping Simpson reach its goal

of doubling The Presidents’ Society membership to more than 500 members by the college’s Sesquicentennial in 2010-2011.

Simpson gave me my greatest friendships, fondest memories and grandest period of growth I may ever experience in my life. To me, it is worth providing my support at the highest level possible to make sure that these opportunities are available for students today and into the future. ■

WhY i give BaCk TO SiMPSOnBy CHRIS GOODALE ’86 , SENIOR ADvANCEMENT OFF ICER

SiMPSOn ReCeiveS SeCOnD laRgeST eSTaTe gifT in hiSTORY


The SiMPSOn fUnDThe Simpson Fund has existed since the very early days of the college. Until recent years, this effort was simply referred to as the Annual Fund. Today, more than $1 million is raised annually through this broad-based effort, which seeks support from alumni, faculty, staff, parents, corporations, foundations and the Methodist Church. This support is used to strengthen the Simpson Experience for each of our students. The greatest focus of The Simpson Fund, which is strengthened through annual contributions, is to recruit and retain top students as more than 98 percent of Simpson students receive some form of financial support. Annual giving also bolsters faculty support, technology, the arts, library resources and community service programs.

We are very

thankful for

Wayne’s

contribution to

the future success

of the college.

impson College received nearly $2.6 million from the estate of the late Wayne L. Hammerand in December.

Hammerand’s gift was the second largest estate gift ever given to the college.

“We are grateful for Wayne’s remarkable gift to Simpson College,” said Bob Lane, vice president of college advancement. “It is the generosity of individuals like Wayne Hammerand that allows Simpson to continue to provide students with the incredible opportunities that are associated with a Simpson College education.”

After both of his parents passed away when he was 18 years old, Hammerand was encouraged by his aunt to attend Simpson College. His time at Simpson came to mean a great deal to him, and because of this, Hammerand chose to leave the majority

of his estate to Simpson to benefit the college’s Endowment Fund.

“Mr. Hammerand’s gift is a wonderful testimony to his affection for his alma mater and his interest in making certain that future generations of students have the same opportunity to receive a quality education at Simpson,” said Simpson President John Byrd.

Originally from Neola, Hammerand graduated from Simpson in 1932 with a degree in business administration and earned a master’s degree from Colorado State College in 1939.

After serving in the U.S. Army and holding teaching assignments in New Mexico and Colorado, Hammerand returned to Des Moines in 1945, where he had a 30-year career in service to the Veterans Administration. He retired in 1975. Hammerand passed away in December 2007 at the age of 98. ■

n a sunny law office in downtown Des Moines, a quiet, 87-year-old man credited for being one of the most pivotal board members in Simpson College’s history is

talking about money. Specifically, Luther Hill, Jr. is discussing a $10 million gift — the largest in Simpson’s history — that he first helped cultivate and now helps govern.

“I think that’s the greatest contribution I’ve made to the college,” Hill said of the gift in 1992 from aluma and benefactor Amy Robertson. “Amy had a very specific agenda for that money, and it was part of my job to assure her we would be good financial stewards. It was a transformational gift for us.”

Hill, too, has been a transformational force at Simpson. He married Sara Sigler Carpenter, whose grandparents both served on the Board of Trustees in Simpson’s early years (see story about the Sigler House on page 26). The family’s continued support of the college naturally propelled him to become a trustee in June of 1955.

“I was very impressed with (then-president William) Kerstetter because he really wanted to improve the intellectual life of the college,” Hill said. “I wanted to be a part of that.”

Through the years, Hill was instrumental in recruiting

some of Des Moines’ most influential and highly-respected business leaders to Simpson’s Board of Trustees. Names like Hubbell, Cowles, Weitz and Ballantine began showing up on the college’s list of donors and leaders “by virtue of Luther Hill,” said Simpson President John Byrd. “He forever changed the course of the college.”

To Hill, it was “an easy sell.” His pitch: the need for a first-rate college institution in the Des Moines area that would graduate the brightest students in the state. His son, Mark Hill ’78, said that vision was contagious — and his father’s power of persuasion legendary.

“You aren’t going to attract people of that caliber without an ambitious goal in mind,” said Mark Hill, director of group compliance for Principal Financial Group, Inc. “He got people to join him because he believed in that goal, and they believed in him.”

The elder Hill’s influence inspired Mark Hill to continue his family’s support of Simpson College; he joined the Board of Trustees in June of 2008.

“I was asked, and I said yes,” Mark Hill said of the appointment.

Smiling proudly, his father quickly added: “If he said no, he’d be in trouble.” ■

THE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2009 7

geneRaTiOnS Of giving

Luther Hill, Jr. (left)1955: elected to the Board of Trustees1972-79: served as Chairman of the Board2005: elected as an Honorary Trustee

Mark Hill (right)2008: elected to the Board of Trustees


| facu l ty pursuits

ssistant Professor of Philosophy Allison Wolf is combating a common misconception about her field: the belief that philosophy has no application

in today’s world.

“People think philosophy is so out in the clouds … I always want to look for something really concrete to explore abstract theories,” she said.

Wolf uses her knowledge of philosophy to study two seemingly different topics: childbirth practices in the United States and the globalization of Central America, particularly its effect on Costa Rica.

Though the topics may appear unrelated, Wolf said the underlying questions she is trying to answer are the same: What are the most ethical practices? Do current practices reflect the things we value as individuals and as a society? How can the practices better reflect those values?

“I am looking for justice,” she said. “I want a just world.”

For her research on globalization, Wolf travels to Costa Rica annually, taking Simpson students with her every other year for May Term. The class tackles many of the same areas Wolf does in her research, such as the ethics of tourism.

On campus, Wolf also works to help students see the relevance of philosophy in their lives.

She and John Pauley, professor of philosophy, created an ethics minor and an applied philosophy major for their department. Wolf said the applied philosophy major, which encourages students to analyze the issues of today’s world from the lens of philosophy, is a popular second major for students looking to enter the fields of law, medicine or criminal justice.

“Good philosophers study the world,” she said. “Thinking is going to get you nowhere if you don’t understand the world.”

a JUSTWORlD

Six QUeSTiOnS fOR alliSOn

favorite Simpson tradition: Honors Convocation because I love encouraging and recognizing student excellence.

Book everyone should read to their kids: Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery by Jamie Lee Curtis. It helps kids to develop philosophical ideas.

Cell phone ringtone: “What It Feels Like For a Girl” by Madonna.

Words i live by: “Justice, justice, thou shall pursue justice.”

guilty pleasure: Watching trashy television (i.e. “Desperate Housewives” and “The Bachelor”).

One thing people wouldn’t know about me: Just how much I love M&M chocolate chip cookies (no nuts). ■

alliSOn WOlfAssistant Professor of PhilosophyArrived at Simpson in August 2004Education:

• B.A., Brandeis University, 1997• M.A., Michigan State University, 1999• Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2004


e hope you enjoyed catching up with former Professor of Sociology Jane Kvetko in the December issue of the magazine. From

Kvetko’s cabin in North Carolina, we head south to chat with Joe Moody, professor emeritus of biology, who worked at Simpson from 1976 to 2002.

Where are you? Currently, my wife Barb and I are on South Padre Island in Texas. For the past eight years, we’ve gone south for the winter and will head back to Iowa after the thaw. We love to host visitors, including some of our Simpson friends. While I’m not a big golfer, I’m always willing to drive the cart.

What keeps you busy these days? I’m an avid outdoorsman and like to hunt and fish. I shoot competitively, and I am an instructor for the Iowa DNR hunter safety program. I enjoy going to the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada and take an extended trip each year to northern Canada. Barb and I have traveled to several European countries and Mexico.

I’m also on the executive board of the local American Legion. Lifelong learning is important and I have always been interested in World War II. Retirement has given me time to read more about it, conduct interviews, give lectures and collect memorabilia.

You taught during four distinct eras in Simpson history. What moment stands out? When I first arrived in the 1970s, Simpson was struggling financially. Faculty and staff members rolled up their sleeves and went to work, literally. We pulled together, spending our breaks helping the admissions office recruit students. It was an “all for one and one for all” atmosphere with great results and it helped the college eventually eliminate its budget deficit.

Do you have any fond memories of your time at Simpson? For 12 years, I was part of the chain gang at the Simpson football games. I had many athletes in my classes over the years and appreciated what they needed to do to succeed both in the classroom and in their respective sport. They understood they were students first, then athletes.

You enjoy a good laugh. What memory still makes you chuckle?One year, I was asked to emcee the All-College Sing. Unfortunately, at about the same time, I lost a bet on a game. As a result, I had to kiss a pig in front of the entire student body that night. Afterward, the students hung a guitar around my neck and I played it. Just not very well. ■

WheRe aRe TheY nOW? By LESL IE MIDGET HELD ’86

Joe MooDy

Joe and Barb Moody enjoy winters on South Padre Island.

PHO

TO S

UBM

ITT

ED B

y JO

E M

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Dy

faCUlTY aCCOMPliShMenTSDave Camwell, assistant professor of music, signed with Rico in October to become an official Rico Artist.

Rosemary link, associate vice president for academic affairs, recently published an article in the online edition of International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. The article, which is co-authored by Dr. Maria Dinis and Kelly Anders at the University of California, is titled, “Frameworks for Global Social Work Education: Portuzal (Azores) and United States.”

Professor of Chemistry Cliff Meints participated in the 45th Midwest Regional meeting of the American Chemical Society in Iowa City in October.

Sal Meyers, professor of psychology, is chair-elect of the Small College Committee of Professional and Organizational Development. POD is the organization of faculty developers. She will help the chair this coming year and become chair the following year.

Jennifer nostrala, professor of theatre arts, received a grant from the Iowa Arts Council to produce and direct a local presentation of Neil LaBute’s “Fat Pig.” Performances will be held at the Des Moines Social Club May 27 through May 29.

Jamie Poulsen, instructor of music, has received an ASCAPlus award from the American Society of Composers and Publishers in New York City.

Rich Ramos, assistant dean of students, was appointed as a coordinating staff member to the National Association for Campus Activities, 2010 Major Concert Management Institute. The institute is designed to educate staff and students from across the United States in the management and production of major concerts on college and university campuses. He also had an article published in the January/February issue of the national magazine, “Campus Activities Programming.”

Steve Rose, professor of education, and David Wolf, associate professor of English, had poems selected to be read at the “Happy Birthday, Iowa — Love, Iowa Poets” event sponsored by the Finch and Rose State Literary Society. This event was held Dec. 28, the anniversary of Iowa’s statehood. Twenty-nine Iowa poets were selected because Iowa was the 29th state to join the Union.

Tom Woldt, chair of the theatre department, received the Kennedy Center Medallion for Region V of KCACTF. The Kennedy Center Medallion is presented to outstanding teachers and artists who have made significant contributions to the life of Region V through their dedication, time, artistry and enthusiasm. Most importantly, recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival) and to excellence in educational theatre. ■

Justin nostrala, professor of art, displayed a drawing, titled “Monk with Blue Angel,” in the Drawing Discourse: Contemporary Drawing Exhibition at the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

A juror selected a total of 50 pieces for the exhibition, which ran from Jan. 8 to Feb. 3. Approximately 564 pieces from 183 artists were submitted for consideration.

The drawing was created while he was on sabbatical. Last year, Nostrala received a two-month fellowship to stay at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, a retreat center that allows artists to concentrate on their work away from the hustle and distractions of daily life.

Nostrala said the piece is a “representational drawing” of a monk, which was based on a photo he took at the New Melleray Abbey in northeast Iowa. It is a part of a series of drawings he created that look at religious figures and explore the idea of prayer and meditation.

Monk with Blue Angel, oil paint and charcoal on paper, 29 ½˝ x 41 ½˝, 2009


EvEning, wEEkEnd & graduatE Programs

ith the 150th anniversary of the college on the horizon, it’s important to

recognize another Simpson milestone: 30 years of providing outstanding adult education. Since the beginning, Simpson has been committed to sustaining an evening program that would uphold the high standards of the college and keep the curriculum and expectations the same for its adult learners. “We are very proud to offer working adults the opportunity to earn a Simpson degree in a format that works for them while maintaining a quality Simpson experience,” said Andrea Biklen, director of the West Des Moines campus.

In order to better serve its student population, Simpson relocated its West Des Moines campus to the Century II building, 1415 28th St., in West Des Moines during winter break.

evening , weekend & graduate programs |


hen adults return to college in their 30s, 40s and 50s they are focused on their goal — be

it a new degree, a change in career path, a certificate to update skills, a summer program or teacher’s “endorsement.” They know the value of each credit and their energies are taken up in beating that unsettling feeling of “Can I still write an essay?” or “Will my life experience be valued?”

At Simpson College, we serve 570 degree seeking adults per year and closer to 800 adults when certificates and short courses are included.

According to the research institute, Eduventures, the top six attributes in selecting a course and school are “program quality, faculty teaching abilities, overall reputation of the school, cost, faculty expertise and program scheduling.” At Simpson College we are meeting these attributes and building the setting for students of all ages to enjoy their learning.

ReTURning TO The ClaSSROOMBy ROSEMARy J . L INK | ASSOCIATE v ICE PRES IDENT FOR AC ADEMIC AFFAIRS

At the spring Board of Trustees meeting Lori Card, a recent graduate, commented, “It was my relationship with my advisor and my instructors that made this school a great experience.” At Simpson College we expect to walk the journey of learning with our students and know everyone individually.

Adult learning is characterized by some of the following: it is problem-centered, based on experience facilitated by self-evaluation, and strongly motivated. When asking professors and advisors at Simpson College how they describe adult learners, the often repeated phrases include: “they arrive early,” “they complain if class is cancelled due to weather,” “they expect their money’s worth,” and “they are less distracted by the social life of classmates.”

Just as it is the life-task of younger learners to explore social relationships, to become critical thinkers, to develop skill in sports and the arts and to become independent, it is the task of older learners to consolidate their learning and to generate contributions to society that utilize their career talents, their social position and their community roles so that they are interdependent.

Simpson College

receives a grant under Title III of the Higher Education Act

to support adult learning.

Simpson creates the Office of Special

Programs, the first office dedicated to adult education at the college.

Simpson introduces the Life Experience

Portfolio, which allows students older than 25 to gain college credit for past experiences.

Simpson expands operations to

West Des Moines, renting classroom space primarily at Valley High

School.

First evening catalogue for the college is

released. At the time, Simpson offered two

programs in the evening: management and

accounting.

Weekend classes are developed.

Students can obtain a management

degree by taking only weekend

classes.

’83

Simpson’s adult learning program

changes its name to Office of Adult and

Continuing Education.

Simpson opens first

office in West Des Moines

on 73rd Street. The

office had one full-time staff

member.

The Delta Tau chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, an adult student academic

honorary society, is founded at Simpson. Since then, 354 adult students have been

inducted into the group.

FASTrack classes are added to the West Des Moines

schedule.

Simpson gives out the first Excellence in Adult Education Award. The award honors faculty

members who demonstrate a commitment to teaching and are responsive to the needs of adult learners.

’82’80

’86 ’88’79

’85


30 YeaRS Of evening, WeekenD & gRaDUaTe PROgRaMS

’81

The first decade of the 21st century is the decade of lifelong learning. More people are returning to college to begin a new path or jump-start their lives after a layoff or restructuring.

Traditional age students continue to be the majority of students and the main focus at schools like Simpson but the sturdy traditions built by their younger peers are proving alluring to parents and community members. Lifelong learners bring their commitment to the classroom in ways that contribute to the experience of traditional students and to the vibrance and sustainability of the college.

In 2010, many institutions of education are recognizing lifelong learners as contributing to the vitality of traditional approaches but this trend is not without its challenges. These include the college’s ability to build a community of learners that embraces the whole setting. In addition to a sense of belonging, adult students respond to rituals and the institution’s outreach to them as “real” and worthy students.

Professors also need to recognize some of the distinctive aspects of working with adults. Ideally, faculty respect adult learners as partners, invite their participation in setting goals, value their desire to do well and invite their ideas and feedback.

According to Eduventures, “fewer than 40 percent of American adults possess a higher education credential.” In Iowa 34 percent hold higher degrees, and clearly we have some work to do to respond to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings’ challenge to “provide 200 million more Americans with access to higher education by 2025.” Simpson College has been building expertise with adult learners for 30 years and is fully engaged in the challenge.

’90

Simpson hires two full time student advisors — one in Indianola and one in

West Des Moines — to assist evening and weekend students with scheduling, graduations requirements

and other issues.

Simpson moves to a new site on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines to bring its

classroom and office space together in one

building.

’94 ’95

Simpson assumes name Division of Adult Learning.

Simpson unveils new campus in Ankeny to provide greater

flexibility for students coming to Simpson

from outside the Des Moines metro area.

Simpson launches Master of Arts in Teaching and

Transition to Teaching programs.

Nancy Duncan, now a teacher at East High School in Des Moines,

becomes the first student to graduate

with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from

Simpson College.

Simpson rebrands Division of Adult Learning to reflect new graduate

opportunities. Evening, Weekend & Graduate

Programs title is adopted.

’09

Simpson’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program starts

with a cohort of 19 criminal justice

professionals.

Simpson relocates its West Des Moines campus to the Century II building, 1415

28th St., West Des Moines.

Approximately 90 EWG

students plan to graduate

from Simpson in May.

’07’03 ’10


’04 ’08

30 YeaRS Of evening, WeekenD & gRaDUaTe PROgRaMS

EWG students participate in class at the new West Des Moines campus.


BACK TO TeaCh fOR eWg

love for Simpson brings many alumni back to teach in the Evening, Weekend & Graduate Programs. Much like their students, these alumni commit to EWG

outside of their day jobs because they believe in the value of a Simpson education. Meet three alumni who are passionately dedicated to sharing their knowledge and experience with Simpson’s adult learners.

“It’s exciting to see students in multiple classes and see their progression,” she said. “Hearing about their Simpson Experience is exciting.”

Grandgeorge had great experiences as a student at Simpson and hopes she can create a positive environment for her students as well.

“I love Simpson dearly,” she said. “My passion for Simpson is why I teach here.” ■

Tom DeSio has been around Simpson his whole adult life. First as a student, then as an admissions counselor and assistant football coach and finally as an adjunct faculty member.

DeSio started teaching classes at Simpson more than 20 years ago, and he has taught classes in both Simpson’s traditional and EWG program. During his time with the college, he has received the Excellence in Adult Education award three times. The award is sponsored by the adult student honor society Alpha Sigma Lambda, and students nominate influential faculty members for the award each year.

DeSio, who works as a prosecutor for Polk County, enjoys teaching in the EWG program because his students bring a lot of different life experiences to the classroom and are eager to learn. He enjoys being able to help them reach their goals.

“It’s a refreshing part of my day to be able to teach,” he said.

Though DeSio received his Simpson degree the traditional way, he is no stranger to the complexities of being an adult student. After being in the workforce for several years, he returned to college to get his law degree.

“Having returned to school after being out for a period of time, I understand some of the difficulties that adult learners face,” he said. “It helps me relate better to them to meet their needs.”

naTe Boulton ’02 As a student at Simpson, Nate Boulton ’02 always knew he wanted to teach.

His senior year, he applied for high school teaching positions but eventually decided to attend law school instead.

His dream of teaching, however, didn’t diminish during law school. Boulton said the opportunity to teach at the college level has “allowed me to do two things I really enjoy doing, which is the practice of law and teaching.”

Boulton relishes the opportunity to teach in Simpson’s EWG program.

“It certainly meant a lot to come back to Simpson where I was a student,” he said.

When teaching, Boulton, who is an attorney at Hedberg and Boulton, P.C., tries to follow the example set by the professors he had as an undergraduate at Simpson.

“The teachers at Simpson, the professors that I had, were certainly very personable,” he said.

JenniGrandgeorge ’97The first class Jenni Grandgeorge taught at Simpson was a class she took as an undergraduate, held in the exact same room she took it in as a student.

“It was a little déjà vu-ish,” she said.

Grandgeorge, who majored in communication studies, now teaches classes for the Department of Communication and Media Studies. Because of the knowledge and life experiences her students bring to the classroom, she feels she benefits from teaching the classes.

“I think I learn just as much as my students do,” she said.

One of her favorite parts of teaching is getting to know her students and watching them grow.

TOM DeSio ’73

See more alumni profiles at www.simpsonmagazine.com.

n the Winter 2009 issue of The Magazine, Chaplain Fritz Wehrenberg was working on

illuminating the Simpson Experience. He said, “It has something to do with how we discern doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people with the greatest amount of energy for the greatest amount of time.” I agree with Fritz. In fact, I think it has a lot to do with that.

Simpson students know how to make a difference; they do it every day, both on and off campus. They make a difference

in the classroom, in performance halls, on the playing field and in local communities. The students that I have the pleasure of working with are dedicated, passionate leaders.

The President’s Leadership Certificate (PLC) program was launched in the fall of 2009. The initial cohort is comprised of 50 students, with representation from each class. The program supports and recognizes students who are committed to engaging in the leadership process in their communities, demonstrated by their dedication to at least three separate experiences where they are working within a group toward positive social change.

PLC participants meet to reflect with one another on the challenges they face as students who are seeking to make a difference. They also participate in leadership development retreats and workshops, where they have a chance to improve their leadership skills and competencies and, importantly, interact with Simpson College alumni.

During the fall semester, PLC participants reported more than 6,000 hours spent engaging in leadership experiences. These experiences ranged from involvement in athletic teams and roles as community advisors in residence life to participation in various campus organizations, service experiences,

gUiDing leaDeRSBy BOBBy NALEAN ’07 | LEADERSHIP AND SERvICE COORDINATOR

Fred Hubbell, chairman of the Simpson College Board of Trustees, was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in December. Hubbell is the third member of his family to join the select group of Iowa business leaders. Hubbell family patriarch, the late Frederick M. Hubbell, and Fred’s father, the late James Hubbell Jr., are also members of the Hall of Fame.

iOWa BUSineSShall Of faMe

internships and more. In each experience, PLC students worked in groups to create some type of positive change for that group or organization.

In Fritz’s words, these students are learning to engage in their Simpson Experience by “doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people with the greatest amount of energy for the greatest amount of time.” My hope is that the President’s Leadership Certificate program offers some guidance and direction as they take that journey.

As I reflect on my time as a student at Simpson, one sequence of events stands above the rest. As freshmen, my friend Omar Padilla ’07 and I signed up for a project called “Ounce of Doing.” We were tasked with working with Walter Lain, assistant dean for multicultural and international affairs, and Carolyn Dallinger, assistant professor of social work and criminal justice, and a group of students to create a proposal for a project that would celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We dreamed big and proposed that the college host a march and rally to end discrimination and celebrate diversity in all its forms. During the next few months, we would all learn what it meant to be a part of the leadership process.

With tremendous guidance and encouragement from Walter and Carolyn, our proposal was accepted and our event was a big success in March 2004. The Living the Dream: End the Isms March and Rally became an annual event and is still held every spring. Hundreds of students participate in the march every year, and the project continues to be organized by students.

I felt like I truly made a difference through my involvement with the planning of the march. Now, as a staff member in the Center for Vocation and Integrative Learning at Simpson, I have the great pleasure of providing similar support to students as they move through their Simpson Experience. ■

Bobby Nalean is collecting stories from Simpson alumni and current students about a time they felt they made a difference in the lives of others while at Simpson. He is collecting the stories in order to share them with the participants in the President’s Leadership Certificate program and other students who are seeking to make a difference by contributing to the leadership process. Please email your story to [email protected]. If you would rather share your story over the phone, please call Nalean at 515-961-1287.

leadership |


Simpson sophomore Nicole Mulder examines a sequence of DNA in Professor of Biology Pat Singer’s genetics course.


LEARNHOW WE


cover stor y |

t Simpson, interactive, hands-on learning isn’t limited to a particular subject matter or a single academic department. It’s happening every day, all across campus, in science labs and

business classes, in communications and history courses and beyond.

In this issue, we’ll show you some of the unique ways students at Simpson are learning — both inside and outside the classroom.

For the past three years, the Simpson faculty has been working hard to build on these types of quality educational experiences. In the story that follows, we’ll introduce you to the result: a new curriculum that will develop engaged citizens who are ready to meet the challenges of a world outside of academia.

STORIES By BONNIE HARRIS & EL IZABETH FORDPHOTOGRAPHy By DAvID PETERSON


fiRSThanD knOWleDge With more than 10 years experience on-air as a reporter and news anchor, Lisa Carponelli, assistant professor of communication and media studies, brings valuable firsthand knowledge to the courses she teaches.

Carponelli, whose experiences include a seven-year stint as lead news anchor on WOI in Des Moines, teaches two video classes at Simpson that prepare students to create and edit content not only for television but for the Web.

“The class was born out of the idea that we can’t be traditional journalists anymore,” said Carponelli. “What Simpson is doing well is embracing technology.”

Carponelli (right), instructs Keri Waterhouse ’12 on video live shots at Simpson.

While that classic science experiment succeeded in its purpose of teaching Griffith about genetics, today the vice president and dean of academic affairs at Simpson often wonders if a different type of science class could have been more helpful. More than ever, Dr. Griffith uses it to examine a bigger question: what are the skills, knowledge and sequence of courses that best prepare today’s college students for the challenges of the future?

In Simpson’s earliest years, a grounding in Latin and Greek tragedies was essential to molding an educated mind. The Cornerstone curriculum has long been the traditional model used by many institutions — a model that exposes students to a variety of academic disciplines, which equate to a checklist of credits required for graduation. Seat time, more than anything else, has been the primary measurement of the success of a liberal arts education.

Times change.

“The world is a much more complex place than it was when I worked with fruit flies,” Griffith said. “As an institution, we must strike a balance between liberal learning and career preparation that’s relevant to today’s world.”

Over the past three years, Simpson’s academic leaders have carefully considered just that: what students need to know — and what employers want them to know — when they graduate.

The result is an all-new general education curriculum that’s arguably the most significant change at Simpson College in more than 35 years. It has been built from scratch to respond to the qualities employers seek in new hires and the recommendations of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) on the best practices in teaching the liberal arts.

“Our mission has always been to graduate engaged citizens. That won’t change,” Griffith said. “How we do it will.”

The new general education curriculum has four components:

1. SimpsonColloquium– A first year experience course designed to help students adapt to college life and work (formerly called LAS).

2. AreasofEngagementcourses– Seven classes that answer the question, “What do I need to know to be an engaged citizen?”

3. EmbeddedSkillscourses– Seven skills that will help students develop expertise as they grow as free, responsible and fulfilled individuals in the world of family, work, service and scholarship.

Steve Griffith remembers taking an undergraduate biology class at his alma mater, an institution similar to Simpson College where he, like generations of other students, studied genetics by mating fruit flies in glass cups.

THE MAGAZINE | WINTER 2009 19

continued on page 20 >>>>

4. Senior Capstone – a culminating project in the student’s major that allows students to demonstrate their abilities as apprentice practitioners in their chosen field of study.

If that sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because the new curriculum was carefully designed to dovetail into the Five Strategic Initiatives already established at Simpson College: intellectual and practical skills; living and working in a global context; personal and social responsibility; integrative learning; and leadership. (See box on page 23).

What’s more, the structure of the new curriculum directly responds to important research in employer expectations. A report recently released by AACU, for example, concluded that 90 percent of hiring managers said they wanted more emphasis on effective communication, closely followed by critical thinking and innovation.

The bottom line: forget the linear notion that majors lead to specific careers. At Simpson College, the toolbox of skills and experiences every student builds while here is as important as the major they choose.

Taking The leaDSimpson senior Lynette Snyder learned an important lesson about herself while taking Paul Craven’s computer science Capstone course.

When her group began to fall behind on its project, she decided it was time to step up and take charge. She quickly discovered she felt at ease in the role of group leader and was able to get her group back on track.

“I’ve never taken a management class but I kind of have the personality of a leader,” she said.

The lesson was exactly the type of thing Craven, assistant professor of computer science, hoped his students would take away from the course.

The class was designed so each group would function like a miniature workplace to “give [students] the chance to learn what it will be like in the real world,” he said.

Craven wanted computer science students to have the opportunity to work with the types of people they would normally be assisting with projects, so the class was open to students with any major.

“This class was great because it was as close to the real-world as I’ve gotten while working on a school project,” student Bryce Klinker said. “I want to continue working as a programmer for a company in the Des Moines area. This class will definitely help me.”


aReaS Of engageMenT The Arts Civic Engagement Diversity and Power in the United States Ethics and values Inquiry Global Perspectives Historical Perspectives in Western Culture Scientific Reasoning

eMBeDDeD SkillS Written Communication Quantitative Reasoning Critical Thinking Information Literacy Oral Communication Collaborative Leadership Intercultural Communication


a liTTle exTRa helPTwo days a week, a group of elementary school students gather in the basement in Wallace Hall to meet with their Simpson College tutors during Reading Club.

Although the goal of the project is to help the elementary students improve and gain confidence in their reading abilities, the project is equally as beneficial for their Simpson tutors.

“It’s a lab for us as well as a way to give back to the community,” said Associate Professor of Education Sharon Jensen, who oversees the program.

Jensen started the Reading Club at Simpson 14 years ago as a way to provide the field experience required for Simpson education majors seeking a reading endorsement.

The program is open to first through fifth grade students who need a little extra help with their reading skills. The students work one-on-one with their Simpson tutors. The tutors are responsible for evaluating the student’s abilities and designing lesson plans for each session. They work closely with the student’s teacher as well as Jensen during the semester.


aReaS Of engageMenT The Arts Civic Engagement Diversity and Power in the United States Ethics and values Inquiry Global Perspectives Historical Perspectives in Western Culture Scientific Reasoning

eMBeDDeD SkillS Written Communication Quantitative Reasoning Critical Thinking Information Literacy Oral Communication Collaborative Leadership Intercultural Communication

Simpson education major Lindsay Brommell reviews a lesson with Sara Jensen, age 7.


ReaCTing TO The PaSTIt’s 3:30 p.m. Class has been over for 15 minutes but many students still linger.

They huddle in small groups, and in hushed tones, discuss how the events in class played out. Others wait patiently for Professor Nick Proctor to discuss their character’s strategy.

Already, it’s clear: this isn’t your typical history class. The students are playing the Reacting to the Past game “Forest Diplomacy,” which was written by Proctor, professor of history.

“It blurs the boundaries between in class and out of class,” Proctor said. “The class period is over, but the game continues. For some students, it keeps going 24/7.”

In Reacting to the Past games, students learn history through role-playing. Each student is assigned a role, either a real historical figure or a composite character, and objectives he or she must try to accomplish for the character to be successful. Students develop their arguments and complete assignments based on historical documents from the time period.

“History isn’t something that is preordained,” he said. “History happens because people make decisions.”

Simpson student Alex Koder (left), playing the role of a Delaware Indian, discusses his strategy for successful negotiations. In “Forest Diplomacy,” students try to develop a peace treaty between the Pennsylvanians and the Native American tribe.

THE MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2010 23

“We believe the new general education curriculum, along with our dedicated faculty and rich subject content offered in each major, will help Simpson graduates continue to be the best in the state,” said Jim Hayes, associate dean and director of the Center for Vocation and Integrative Learning. “Simpson College is responding to make sure our students are as well prepared as possible for the world of work.”

The academic leaders who helped develop the new curriculum said it was extremely important to build on the hallmarks of a Simpson College education, especially faculty-student relationships. So while students will take fewer courses, their work will delve deeper — and the requirements will be

more intensely focused — in projects that require demonstrative ability and hands-on understanding.

“We often talk about college being a bubble, as though there’s no real connection with the outside world,” said Jennifer Nostrala, professor of theatre arts. “We all know that’s false. This curriculum finally brings that concept to the forefront.”

Nostrala, who served on a team of faculty members to fine-tune the new curriculum, said each of the content areas was carefully considered to help develop individual students’ needs.

“Written communication, for example, is not just something that happens in an English class,” she said. “It happens in science, humanities, arts

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES NEW CURRICULUM

Intellectual/Practical Skills All Courses and Embedded Skills

Living/Working in a Global Context Intercultural Communication, Global Perspectives

Personal/Social Responsibility Diversity and Power, Ethics and Moral Reasoning, Civic Engagement

Integrative Learning Senior Capstone

Leadership Collaborative Leadership, Senior Capstone

THE NEW CURRICULUM MEETS THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES OF THE COLLEGE


and beyond. We need to be intentional in helping students learn that, so they have the skills they need to take into the world.”

The new curriculum will be more experiential, building on Simpson’s valuable partnerships with Great Ape Trust of Iowa, the Iowa History Center, Simpson Urban Studies Institute and the John C. Culver Public Policy Center, to name a few. Faculty will move from teaching eight courses to six, allowing more time to support students with internships and research — while challenging them to take advantage of leadership opportunities, study abroad activities and community engagement.

It’s true that other institutions have taken an integrated, embedded skills approach to keep up with a changing world. But Simpson College is among the very few to commit to full immersion in the embedded skills model while simultaneously introducing areas of engagement courses (see box page 20).

“This curriculum provides a liberal arts foundation that works,” Griffith said. “It applies. It is relevant. It is measureable.”

And it starts now. ■

a RaRe exPeRienCeSome Simpson students are volunteering to spend their time in prison with the Simpson Prison Education Initiative through the Simpson Urban Studies Institute (SUSI).

Students of all majors have the opportunity to take part in this program and travel to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville. Students act as instructors to the women who can enroll in one of two non-credit courses offered by SUSI each semester. Courses range from “Empowered Women in the Media” to “Modern Social Problems.”

“I think this is a great learning experience,” said Fred Jones, professor of sociology and criminal justice. “Programs like this are becoming increasingly important. Students will be able to apply what they’ve learned and their organizational skills will be greatly enhanced. They learn how to work professionally and how to deal with confidentiality.” – KELSEy KNUTSON ’10


Senior Miranda Pham works with one of the women in her class at the Mitchellville prison.

How do we learn?

What is the best and most appropriate pedagogical model for the 21st century?

How does assessment affect learning?

Who has what responsibility in this process?

hese are just a few of the questions the faculty addresses all the time.

This past fall, the faculty voted for a new curriculum, seeking to better address these questions. As you already read in the cover story, the curriculum includes ideals such as integrated learning, experiential learning, internships and global awareness. These assessments cover the entire course of a student’s years at Simpson. Engaged students apply “their learning in a specific discipline to the larger community through work and/or service” (from the description of the new Capstone course). Expanding learning inside the classroom includes learning that also occurs outside the classroom.

Hmmmm.

This sounded somewhat familiar.

So I took a look, again, at the Gospels, specifically at the disciples’ formation. What was Jesus doing with those who said “yes” to his call? How were they shaped during the three years they spent together? Was this something intentional and focused? Were the questions we as an academic institution wrestle with in any manner like that of God’s activity in shaping the disciples?

Creating an amalgam of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is problematic in that each Gospel has its own perspective and context. Yet, I am willing to risk the critique because all four are testimonies to God’s gracious passion for the sake of the world. It is clear that Jesus’ pedagogical orientation is experiential, collaborative, reflective and proactive. He engages in assessment, retreats, demonstrations, remonstrations and “hands-on” assignments. The disciples are individually and collectively sent into their world and challenged to see and hear differently with new eyes and ears. They must examine their values, prejudices and perspectives. They are challenged to engage in redemptive, inclusive activity. Their growth was not a matter of happenstance; it was deliberate and intentional.

Jesus had some idea to prepare them for work they could not imagine! Had any of the followers been asked what their work would be after Jesus, I suspect they would have responded with something like: “Jesus is going?” Or, “Wherever he goes, that’s where I am going.” In fact, they were going to go where they were sent, to places and relationships they could not imagine. The time with Jesus was shaping and preparing them for the unknown that was coming.

This is the similarity, the echo I was hearing, swirling around the new curriculum. We are engaged in a stimulating shift into realms of teaching, learning and relationships that we do not know. There will be unintended consequences and unimaginable surprises. Yet, from the perspective of the Chaplain’s office, this is a time exhilarating and pulsing with hope. It is a time not unlike that which swelled the followers following the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. ■

chapla in ’s corner |

The leaRning PROCeSSBy FR ITZ WEHRENBERG | CHAPLAIN


| a s impson space

edicated in 2000 as the Sigler House, the home of Simpson President John Byrd and his wife Nancy has a history that is as unique to Simpson as its

architecture is to Iowa.

Rightfully, the house, located at 703 W. Ashland, was named for loyal Simpson alumni Frederick Carl and Sara Eikenberry Sigler and their daughter Helen Sigler Carpenter. The Sigler family built the home in 1907.

According to Helen Carpenter’s daughter, Sara Hill, Sara Sigler fell in love with the style of homes she had seen during trips to Pasadena, Calif. The American Craftsman style home, designed by the architecture firm Greene and Greene, was popular on the west coast at the turn of the century. The Siglers hired a Des Moines-based architecture firm to replicate the look.

Both Siglers remained dedicated to the college throughout their lives in Indianola. In 1909, F.C. became the fourth member of his family to serve on the Board of Trustees. Sara followed suit, taking over her husband’s seat on the board when he passed away in 1941.

The Siglers left the house to Helen and her husband George Carpenter. Helen, a 1920 Simpson graduate, shared her parents’ love for the college, so it is fitting that her childhood home became the president’s house, said Hill. The Carpenter family gave the house to Simpson in 1974 after Helen’s death.

“[My mother Helen] had a great love of Simpson really,” said Hill. “We knew that was what ought to happen to the house.”

Sigler Portrait– After moving into the house, Mrs. Byrd discovered this old Sigler family portrait and hung it in the entryway to honor the home’s original occupants.

Porch– Now an additional room for entertaining, Hill remembers when this space was a screened-in porch. Hill said her grandmother was a great horticulturalist, so in the winter she would replace the screens with windows and grow plants in the space. “It was just a wonderful kind of greenhouse,” she said.

PReSiDenT’S hOUSe


flower Pressing–Simpson alumnus George Washington Carver pressed this plant in 1895. It now hangs in the Sigler House.

Stained glass– Though the home has been renovated, it still has all of its original woodwork and many of its original details, like this stained glass window. ■

Nancy and John Byrd stand in the foyer of the Sigler House.The antique grandfather clock, built by Marshall Field, was designed specifically for the home.


See more Sigler House photos at www.simpsonmagazine.com.

When I came here and met the coaches,

I could tell they were really genuine, hardworking people.


ath let ics |

PaTRiOTA SIMPSON

usic has always been a hobby and an important part of Seamster’s life, but until recently the 29-year-old Iraqi veteran

said he didn’t truly understand the national anthem’s significance.

“Since I have served and been in combat, the song means a lot more to me,” he said.

Driven by the desire to “do something positive with my life,” Seamster joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He trained to be a combat medic and was deployed to Iraq with the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in 2005.

While in Iraq, he worked at the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor’s main aid station, where he was in charge of triage—or assessing which patients needed to be seen by the doctor first. He was also responsible for the care and treatment of patients, and because of the large number of trauma cases they received, he often performed tasks “doctors usually do in the States.”

“We just had to do it because people’s lives were on the line,” he said.

Faced with responsibility of making such vital decisions under pressure, Seamster learned to trust his abilities.

“I can definitely see a difference in my confidence,” he said. “Before I entered the Army, I definitely lacked confidence in my abilities.”

After returning from Iraq, Seamster returned to his hometown of New Port Richey, Fla. While working as an assistant football coach at his former high school, Seamster realized he missed the game. Before joining the Army, Seamster played Division I-A football for Liberty

University until money and family issues forced him to leave school after his first year.

“Ever since I left, I felt like football wasn’t out of my system,” he said. “I wanted to play again.”

One of Seamster’s fellow junior varsity coaches had played football with Simpson Defensive Coordinator Mike Cordes and put the two in touch. When visiting Simpson, Seamster immediately took a liking to the football program.

This time around, Seamster, a defensive lineman, said his experience in the Army helped him relax and enjoy the game. Even though he still wanted to do his job on the field well, he wasn’t as hard on himself when he made mistakes.

“I realize it’s not a matter of life and death,” he said. “I can enjoy it.”

Seamster said being significantly older than the majority of his teammates wasn’t a huge issue for him, though many of the freshmen on the team later confessed that they felt awkward around him at first, not knowing whether to treat him as a teammate or a coach.

Seamster, a physical education major, embraced the opportunity to share his experiences with the younger members of the team and believes he was able to provide them with a new perspective on life. He enjoyed the mentoring experience so much that he decided to move to the role of student coach for the 2010 season.

“I’ve been able to build some really good relationships,” he said. “They’ve told me I’ve been a good influence on them.” ■

Pride in his country is evident as Simpson junior Darrin Seamster steps in front of the crowd at Cowles fieldhouse to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before a Simpson College basketball game.



Big TiMehe first time Elizabeth Curry, assistant women’s basketball coach, had the chance to join the Storm, she passed.

A talented player at Interstate 35 High School, Curry was recruited to play basketball at Simpson by Head Coach Brian Niemuth.

Instead, Curry, who had dreams of being a coach even in high school, took a risk and headed to the University of Tennessee for a chance to learn from one of the best in the business: legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, who has won more games than any men’s or women’s basketball coach in NCAA history.

The gamble paid off. As a sophomore, Curry joined Summitt’s staff as a student manager and was promoted to head student manager as a junior.

Then, came a rare opportunity. The team had an opening on its roster, and Summitt was looking for someone who knew the program and could help lead the players during practice. She offered Curry the spot.

“It took me a day or two to respond to her,” said Curry. “I had to pick my jaw off the ground.”

That year, the Lady Vols won the NCAA national championship, an experience Curry calls “surreal.”

“It’s still a kind of pinch yourself feeling,” she said.

She experienced a second national championship in 2008 as a graduate assistant, a position she held for two years.

After completing her master’s degree, Curry was offered another position at Tennessee—but this time, with the advice of Summitt and a little prayer, she chose Simpson.

“I am thoroughly excited to have joined Coach Niemuth’s staff and have high expectations of continuing the tradition and success that drew me to Simpson College,” she said.

Curry said it is hard to summarize everything she learned from being a part of the Lady Vols. Yes, she learned about basketball, but she also learned about passion and intensity, about what it means to be part of a community and about being a good person and a good coach. She hopes to put those lessons to use as she begins her coaching career at Simpson.

“The stuff I learned from Pat, I can’t put enough words on,” she said. ■

Top right: Elizabeth Curry shows off her NCAA championship rings. Bottom right: Curry on Senior Night with Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt in 2007.

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Big TiMe COnfeRenCe CROWnhe 2009 season capped off one of the most successful four year runs in Simpson volleyball history and marked the departure of one of the most decorated senior classes the program has seen.

The Storm and 11-year Head Coach Lana Smith posted a record of 21-14 during the 2009 campaign, winning both the Iowa Conference regular season and tournament titles. With the tournament victory, Simpson earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, making its third appearance in four seasons.

The senior class of 2009 posted a record of 24-8 against the Iowa Conference in its four years, tied for the best mark of any team in the league during the stretch.

With the departure of the 2009 class, Simpson watched the playing careers of two of Simpson’s greatest come to a close.

Two-time All-American setter Tara Christensen ended her tenure as the program’s all-time assists leader, compiling 5,554 in four seasons as the team’s starting setter. She is the first Simpson setter to amass more than 5,000 career assists and is only the second in the history of the Iowa Conference. She ranks among the top-25 in NCAA Division III history in assists, and is one of only 10 players in the history of the Iowa Conference to earn all-conference honors four times.

Brittany Friesth also mastered her craft, becoming the program’s all-time digs leader with 2,296 in her career. Another four-year starter, Friesth earned second team all-conference honors as a junior and senior.

The rest of Simpson’s senior class included 2009 first-team all-conference selection Lara Gillespie, 2009 second-team honoree Whitney Oviatt, Maggie Schuttler and Rebecca Westphal. ■

One Of The BeSTSenior forward Tim Dunlavy became the 17th member of Simpson’s 1,000 point club Nov. 21, 2009, when he scored 10 points and made 10 rebounds in the Storm’s 61-49 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan.

A 2006 graduate of Bettendorf High School, Dunlavy led the team in scoring and rebounding every season since his sophomore year. The three-time first team all-conference performer never finished lower than fifth in the conference in scoring or rebounding in his final three seasons.

In his final home game, Dunlavy left Storm fans with a lasting memory. He scored a career-high 37 points and matched a career-high 17 rebounds, single-handedly leading Simpson to a thrilling 83-80 victory over Buena Vista.

When Dunlavy closed his career, he ranked ninth in program history for scoring with 1,366 points and seventh in rebounding with 647. ■

ThiRD TiTleThe Simpson College women’s basketball team won its third consecutive Iowa Conference Tournament Championship Feb. 27. With the win, the Storm earned the Iowa Conference’s automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championships. Simpson upset No. 19 University of Chicago before falling to No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan in the second round.

Under the leadership of 23-year Head Coach Brian Niemuth, the women’s basketball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament for six years in a row, making it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 and 2008. ■

PHOTO By MARK B ASSETT

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impson might be known for the Red and Gold, but now the college is embracing a new hue: green.

Since 2007, the college has been working diligently to reduce its environmental impact. In 2008, President John Byrd made the pledge official by signing the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment with the goal of becoming a carbon neutral institution. Currently, the college is focusing on changes that have a significant environmental impact but also provide a quick return on the college’s investment.

So far, this has meant the college has focused on three areas: water, electricity and gasoline. These changes have included:

• Switching to low-flow toilets and fixtures, reducing water consumption by 40 percent

• Implementation of a trayless dining hall system

• Installation of efficient lighting projects, such as motion sensors and energy efficient bulbs and lighting retrofits

• Purchase of a biodiesel converter to change used cooking

oil from Pfeiffer Dining Hall into biodiesel, which produces 85 percent less emissions than diesel fuel, to run campus equipment

• Replacing maintenance trucks with street-legal electric vehicles

• Installation of a geothermal heating system, which uses air from deep in the ground to heat and cool a building, in the Clinton Apartments. ■

enviROnMenTal iMPaCT

efore coming to Simpson, first-year student JoAnna Freeland didn’t give much thought to climate change.

But after taking visiting Instructor of History Daryl Sasser’s Liberal Arts Seminar about the environment, she was inspired to make a difference.

Through readings and classroom discussions, the seminar explores climate change and its

solutions.

“I learned a lot of things that I didn’t know that helped me realize what needed to be done on Simpson’s campus,” Freeland said.

One of the things Freeland began to notice while taking the course was how many paper towels were being used in Barker and Kresge,

the first-year student dorms.

When she approached Campus Services staff members with the idea of replacing paper towel dispensers with hand dryers,

they embraced the idea. Last semester, Freeland worked with the staff to put the idea into motion, conducting research on the number of paper towels the college used and the most viable options for replacing them.

Within the next few months, Simpson plans to install several hand dryers on campus, most likely in Cowles Fieldhouse, to determine the feasibility of installing them on a wide-scale basis. If the test is successful, the college will start to gradually replace paper towel dispensers later in the year.

In addition to her work with Campus Services, Freeland has been accepted into Simpson’s Earth Corps program. Earth Corps is a group of passionate students who are dedicated to aiding Simpson’s sustainability efforts through on-campus research and projects and community outreach.

“Earth Corps is an opportunity for students to do practical, immediate and impactful things for the environment,” said Sasser, who is director of Earth Corps. “The idea behind the program is to involve students in the school’s efforts to make the campus carbon neutral. As an educational institution, we see this commitment as a teaching opportunity as well as a chance for Simpson to be environmentally responsible.”

Students in Earth Corps receive a grant and commit approximately 10 hours each week to their work. Though the program is in its first year, the students are already working on projects that will benefit the campus, including the creation of green spaces and an organic garden. ■

eaRTh CORPS

The water Simpson has saved in the past two years could fill 18 ½ swimming pools.Simpson has saved enough electricity in the past two years to power about 120 American homes for a year.It costs Simpson approximately $0.81 to produce one gallon of biodiesel.

| extra!

Freeland


impson College honored the 12 Iowa natives who served as Tuskegee Airmen during World War II with the 2010 Carver Medal during a special ceremony Feb. 23.

The Carver Medal, awarded annually, pays tribute to Dr. George Washington Carver’s legacy at Simpson and the college’s commitment to diversity throughout its history.

With this year’s medal, Simpson recognized the contributions of Iowa’s Tuskegee Airmen, who overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups in WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen’s achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for African-American integration in the U.S. military.

Four of the five living airmen attended the ceremony: James E. Bowman, Joseph P. Gomer, Robert L. Martin and George R. Miller. Thurman E. Spriggs was unable to attend.

Simpson also paid tribute to the deceased airmen by inviting their families to attend. The men were: William V. Bibb, Russell L. Collins, Maurice V. Esters, Clarence A. Oliphant, Robert M. Parkey, Luther H. Smith and Robert W. Williams.

“We all felt we were making a contribution and wanted to prove we were all Americans,” Bowman said of his service with the Tuskegee Airmen. “I feel the country is better for it, and I’m proud to be a part of it.” ■

SiMPSOn hOnORS TUSkegee aiRMen

impson College students will have the opportunity to study bonobos at Great Ape Trust and contribute to The Trust’s

breakthrough language research under a renewed partnership agreement by the two institutions.

Great Ape Trust is a scientific research facility in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to understanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence, and to the preservation of endangered great apes in their natural habitats.

The agreement expands an academic partnership begun in 2007 to offer undergraduate opportunities available nowhere else in the world.

“We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Great Ape Trust,” said Simpson College President John Byrd. “Simpson is lucky to have a world-class research institution in such close proximity to its campus. The partnership provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with and learn from the talented scientists and scholars at The Trust.”

Simpson College becomes Great Ape Trust’s primary undergraduate partner with the agreement signing. Under the agreement, Great Ape Trust scientists William Fields and Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, who will receive faculty affiliation as Great Ape Trust Senior Scholars, will teach a limited number of undergraduate classes at Simpson. Simpson will also provide Great Ape Trust Scholarships to exceptional students committed to working closely with The Trust.

“Our partnership with Great Ape Trust gives Simpson students unique access to cutting-edge scientific research as undergraduate students,” said Steve Griffith, vice president and dean of academic affairs. “By renewing this agreement, Simpson College and Great Ape Trust will be able to continue to work together to advance the valuable work of scientists at The Trust and foster the academic growth of Simpson students.” ■

gReaT aPe TRUST

PHO

TO B

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IKE

ROLA

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Iowa Tuskegee Airman Joseph Gomer, of Iowa Falls, was one of the living airmen honored with the 2010 Carver Medal.

alUMni & fRienDS CalenDaR Of evenTS

For more events at Simpson, visit www.simpson.edu/forum or www.simpson.edu/alumni/events.

| upcoming events

JOin The CeleBRaTiOn!

Mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss a thing as we kick off our Sesquicentennial year:

September 23 – Matthew Simpson Lecture

September 24 – Simpson’s 150th Birthday Party

September 24-25 – Warren County’s Log Cabin Days Festival, honoring Simpson College. Parade will be held Sept. 25.

September 26 – Simpson Celebration at the United Methodist Church, featuring former Academic Dean Bruce Haddox.

September 30 – Carver Symposium and McBride Lecture.

October 2 – Homecoming & Family Weekend

More information about times and locations will be available closer to the dates of the events. Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (515) 961-1544 or (800) 610-6369 with any questions regarding events. For more information on the Sesquicentennial, visit http://www.simpson.edu/150/.

aPRil7 Campus Day – You’re invited!

13 Simpson College Jazz Ensemble in concert at 8 p.m. in Lekberg Hall

17 Simpson Guild Spring Style Show & Brunch, Matthew Simpson Room

MaY8 Simpson Day at the Iowa Barnstormers

22 Spring Commencement, Cowles Field House

JUne4-5 Simpson Guild Gigantic Garage Sale,

Hopper Gymnasium

5 Simpson Day at the Iowa Cubs, Principal Park in Des Moines

24 Alumni Weekend: dress rehearsal for Des Moines Metro Opera’s Macbeth, Blank Performing Arts Center, Indianola

25 Alumni Weekend: awards luncheon, alumni classes, Simpson Cup golf outing & Presidents’ Picnic

26 Alumni Weekend: All Alumni Breakfast, alumni classes, sorority luncheons and reunions

JUlY 25-31 Team Simpson rides RAGBRAI

SePTeMBeR24 Simpson’s 150th Birthday Party

25 Simpson as honored community in Warren County’s Log Cabin Days Festival

26 Simpson Celebration at First United Methodist Church, Indianola

Brunch with unveiling of The Names That Live at Simpson, Matthew Simpson Room

OCTOBeR2 Homecoming/Family Weekend



ClaSS nOTeS

Beulah Flesher Wolfe Woody ’33 celebrated her 100th birthday last August at the nursing home where she has lived for the past two years. Those present included her son, Jerry, and his wife, Heather, her grandchildren, Abigail, Jesse and Peter, and great granddaughters, Olivia, Isabella and Indie, as well as niece, Margarita Lyons, and her family. Beulah was born and raised in Indianola and moved to Florida in the 1960’s for the health of her first husband, Fred A. Wolfe.

Doyle Woods ’56 and his wife, Cloreta, have sold their winter home of 13 years in Apache Junction, Ariz. They look forward to living year-round in Indianola.

Mary Sue Hanna Batchelder ’60 lives in Westworth Village, Texas, and works in Fort Worth as a senior subcontract administrator for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Jim Willis ’60 and his wife, Barbara, live in Plymouth, Minn., where he serves on the city council after retiring as city manager.

Ted McClure ’62, retired and professor emeritus, lives in Lenexa, Kan.

Roger Spahr ’62 and Merle Johnson ’62 were elected into the Ankeny Hall of Fame.

Robert Harrison ’66 and Jane Warren Harrison ’68 reside in Waverly.

Cheri Schanz Greable ’69 is self employed and lives in Scarborough, Maine, with her husband, Dr. William. E. Greable. William taught psychology at Simpson College.

William “Biff” Green ’72 and Sherry Lee Green ’72 are retired and living in Tampa, Fla. Biff spent 26 years in various aspects of the Food Service industry and 11 years as corporate trainer with The Home Depot. Sherry was in the real estate industry. They welcome email from their classmates at [email protected].

Scott Hendricks ’72 owns Dry Fly Photography and Dry Fly Gear in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he lives with his wife, Lynda.

Dawn Hayes-Stewart ’76 is minister of music at First Lutheran Church in Temple City, Calif., and was recently elected to the position of zone president/zone 7 for the Pacific Southwest District of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Dawn and her husband, Lonnie, reside in Upland, Calif.

Richard Hiler ’76 lives in Ames and works for LWBJ, a C.P.A. firm.

Tom Keating ’77 lives with wife, Jodi, in Cedar Rapids where he is principal at Xavier High School. Tom was inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Hall of Fame this past fall. This month, Tom will be one of six recipients of the National Catholic Educational Association’s Secondary Schools Department Award for 2010.

Patti Artzer ’78 has a new job as board secretary/treasurer at Bondurant Farrar Schools. Patti and her husband, Keith Lippincott, reside in Des Moines.

Richard Brandon ’80 and his wife, Shelly, live in Redmond, Wash. Richard works for HATA Inc. in Bath, Penn.

Cheryl Hall Phillips ’81 was deputy city clerk for the city of Altoona for 17 years before retiring. Cheryl and her husband, Greg, recently moved to Ankeny.

Beverly Houston McCuddin Heuton ’83 has retired after 21 years of teaching kindergarten for the Johnston Community School District. Prior to that, she taught first grade and kindergarten for the Interstate 35 Community School District. Bev and her husband, Terry, reside in Urbandale.

Bradley Cresswell ’85 is the classical music director at WGTE Public Media in Toledo, Ohio. Bradley lives in Temperance, Mich., with his wife, Jennifer.

Alison Gray McElroy ’85 lives in Algona with her husband, Steven. She was recently hired as the Christian education director for First United Methodist Church, where Steven is serving as head pastor.

Tami Johnson ’86 is opening Baru 66, a new restaurant in Des Moines, with Sara Hill and David Baruthio, a native of Alsace, France.

Dean Delzell ’90 became an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God in 2007. He is a staff pastor at the Dwelling Place in Jefferson, where he resides with his wife, Tiffany.

Matthew Laughlin ’92 has been named secretary of the Davis Brown Law Firm Board of Directors for 2010. Matt practices in the areas of real estate and finance.

SeRviCe aT SiMPSOnSimpson College has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. Simpson was one of 115 schools nationally — and one of only six in Iowa — to make the list “with distinction.” Last year, the Simpson community contributed nearly 47,000 hours of community service, with the majority of those hours performed in central Iowa. Simpson has been named to the honor roll for the past four years — every year since the award’s inception. This is the second year Simpson has been recognized “with distinction.”

tour ing the years |

SiMPSOn COllege iS On TWiTTeR!Follow us: @SimpsonNews, @stormsports and @SimpsonAlums.


Jeffrey McCunn ’92 is senior vice president regional brokerage manager Tahoe WMG/private bank for Wells Fargo Wealth Management Group in Incline Village, Nev.

Arthur Hill ’94 is a music instructor for the Des Moines Public Schools.

Cecilia Jardon McGregor ’94 continues to work with the social security administration at the National Hearing Center as an attorney advisor in Falls Church, Va. Cecilia and her family live in Arlington.

Jennifer Campbell Woodruff ’94 and husband, John, live in Jefferson. Jennifer is a physical therapist for Prairie Lakes AEA.

Sandra Trca-Black ’95 was honored as Virtual Assistant of the Year, Most Supportive Community Member and for the second year was named Top Portal Poster at the AssistU Community Recognition Awards. Sandra owns Alloy Virtual Assistance.

Rebecca Bradley ’96 is vice president of human resources for Vangent in Arlington, Va. Rebecca lives in Ankeny with her husband, Scott McFadden, and children, Rex and Reagan.

Marcia Hilger ’99 is a business analyst for Societe Generale in

New York and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Scott Flatness ’00 is a property claims manager for Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines.

Kathleen Schroud Mullis ’00 and husband, Allen, reside in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Brandy Addison Nelson ’00 is vocal music director at Southeast Polk Community Schools. Brandy and her husband, Aleksander, live in Altoona.

Jonna Hannasch Gordyan ’01 received her master’s degree in German from Bowling Green State University in 2002 and her teaching license in 2003. She is currently teaching German at Gahanna Jefferson High School in Gahanna, Ohio, and lives in Blacklick with her husband, Tony.

Jennifer Miller ’01 is AVP for Bank of the West in Overland Park, Kan. She is also board chair for the American Diabetes Association in Kansas City for 2010.

Andrew Stiles ’01 lives in Grimes with his wife, Samantha.

Dustin Wiemers ’01 is finishing his residency at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, and will be an anesthesiologist

at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Stephanie Peiffer Hoopes ’02 and Andrew Hoopes ‘02 purchased Awards Unlimited in Grinnell. The company offers screenprinting, embroidery, awards, engraving and promotional items. Andrew works as a consumer safety officer for the Food and Drug Administration.

Kristine Rupp Timmins ’02 lives in Sioux City with her husband, Kyle, and daughter, Avery. Kristine is an assistant county attorney for Woodbury County.

Elitsa Banalieva ’03 received her doctorate in business economics and strategic management from Indiana University in Bloomington in 2007. She is assistant professor of international business and strategy at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.

Ellie Kinkel-Schuster Bunde ’03 graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2009 with her Doctor of Medicine. She is currently a first-year family medicine resident with the University of South Dakota and is working at Sanford USD Medical Center, Avera McKennan University Health Center and the Center for Family Medicine. Ellie and

her husband, Josh, live in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Paula Cripps ’03 lives and works in Storm Lake. She received her Master of Divinity in urban and multi-cultural ministries from Claremont School of Theology. Paula is currently serving as pastor at the Storm Lake United Methodist Church.

Carrie Dunham-LaGree ’03 is working on her master’s degree in information and library science. Carrie and her husband, Michael Dunham-LaGree, reside in Albany, N.Y.

Brian Mann ’03 lives in Omaha, Neb., where he is manager of operations research and analytics for West Asset Management.

Phillip Nicolino ’03 and Lynlyn Colorado Nicolino ’03 live in West Des Moines.

Jesse Von Behren ’03 and Meghan Kelso Von Behren ’04 reside in Ankeny. Meghan received her MBA in human resources from Drake University last year and has returned to Simpson as an admissions counselor.

Jake Abel ’04 recently moved to Tampa, Fla., where he is beverage integration project manager for Nestle

2010 alUMni aWaRDSThe Simpson College Alumni Association is pleased to announce the outstanding alumni who will be recognized during Alumni Weekend. The 2010 Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held on June 25.

• Alumni Achievement: Tom Murr ’63 and Nile Ramsbottom ’66

• Recent Alumni Achievement: Matthew Woods ’02

• Alumni Loyalty: Terry Lillis ’77

• Recent Alumni Loyalty: Jake Abel ’04

• Humanitarian Service: Sam Carroll ’83 and Anne Chipperfield ’70

For more information, visit www.simpson.edu/alumni/association/award.html

alUMni BOaRD nOMineeSThe following alumni have been selected by the nominating committee of the Alumni Association to serve as representatives on the Alumni Board of Directors. These candidates will be voted upon at the annual meeting of the Alumni Association, which will be held during Alumni Weekend at the All-Alumni Breakfast on June 26.

We extend our deep gratitude to the following alumni who will be completing their service on the alumni board in June:

• Les Carter ’69• Stan Weeber ’74• J. Michael Kellar ’91

• Jennifer Pfeifer-Malaney ’97 • Samantha Pohl ’03• Gary Ruble ’63 (Alumni Trustee)

• Brian Coppess ’81• Nile Ramsbottom ’66• Janine Hjort Reames ’90

• Steve Stolen ’79• Wendy Foughty Vasquez ’88• Jan Vanderwerf ’94


Professional Vitality. Jake received his MBA in brand and product management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009.

Erik Jacobson ’04 lives in Plantation, Fla., with his wife, Jill, and daughter, Zoey, while working on his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Shane Cox ’05 works at The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines as an accounting analyst II.

Eric Elben ’05 received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and his MBA from the University of Iowa in 2009. Eric is an attorney for Whitfield & Eddy in Des Moines.

Tessa Murphy ’05 is a new business annuity representative for MetLife in West Des Moines. Tessa lives in Des Moines.

Zach O’Connor ’05 lives in Lisbon and works in Cedar Rapids as case coordinator for Aegon Financial Park.

Ellie Ankeny ’06 completed her master’s degree in human resources at Loyola University in Chicago in November and currently works as a human resource executive for Alterian.

Amanda Coates ’06 recently received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Creighton University. Amanda lives in Temple, Texas.

Rebecca Jackson Cusick ’06 is a music associate for Fremont-Mills Community School in Tabor. Rebecca and her husband, Conrad, live in Shenandoah.

Nicole Gruber Donnenwerth ’06 is the 9-12 English teacher and head softball coach at Hampton-Dumont Community School District in Hampton.

Kari Koehler ’06 is working on her master’s degree in library and information science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rebekah Neary ’06 lives in Columbia, S.C., where she is coordinator of student organizations at the University of South Carolina.

Josh Nelson ’06 and Angela Heenan Nelson ’08 live in Des Moines.

Rebecca Salmen ’06 recently received her Master of Music degree in flute performance from Ball State University.

Jennifer Mason Seberg ’06 and Nathan Seberg ’07 reside in Norwalk.

Anthony Warnke ’06 lives in New York where he has a position with Karlitz and Company as account manager of luxury marketing and events.

Amy Backstrom ’07 lives in West Des Moines where she is a human resources specialist for Wells Fargo.

Carolyn Myers Laughlin ’07 is a communications specialist for Iowa Soybean Association in Ankeny. Carolyn and husband, Ryan Laughlin ’06, live in Des Moines. Ryan just finished his master’s degree in biomedical science at Des Moines University and will be attending medical school in the fall.

Heather Wielenga Ngure ’07 and her husband, Samuel, live in Phoenix, Ariz., where she is a property claims supervisor for Bank of America. Heather anticipates receiving her Juris Doctorate from Phoenix School of Law in 2013.

Ron Peterson ’07 and Katie Struck Peterson ’07 reside in Lisle, Ill.

Andrea Kruse Rideout ’07 resides in West Columbia, S.C., with her husband, Ronald.

Abby Garvin Rinard ’07 is a teacher for the Indianola Community School District.

Evan Schaefer ’07 is campus activities director at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

Becky Wearne Aldrich ’08 is an assistant network administrator for Earlham Savings Bank. Becky and her husband, Jayson Aldrich ’06, reside in Waukee.

Jamie Baier ’08 is employed at Biotronic NeuroNetwork in Ann Arbor, Mich. Jamie has encouraged the hiring of five Simpson alumni at her company.

Gvonne Alger Burke ’08 and husband, Mike, live in Vail, Ariz. Gvonne is crew chief for USAF in Fort Worth, Texas.

Kally Hoskins Chilton ’08 is a personal banker for Liberty Bank in Ozark, Mo. She and husband, D. Anthony Chilton, celebrated four years of marriage last November.

Joey Hajduch ’08 and Carlie Beals Hajduch ’08 live in West Des Moines. Carlie is marketing coordinator for Global Spectrum – Iowa Events Center.

Derrick Hatfield ’08 is a commercial underwriting tech at Nationwide Insurance.

Seth Lampman ’08 lives in Indianola and works in Osceola as a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments.

Nathan Nees ’08 is a financial services professional for MassMutual Financial Group in West Des Moines.

Tyler Perry ’08 and Stephanie Reagan Perry ’08 live in Johnston. Stephanie is a targeted case manager for Dallas County Community Services in Adel.

Benedikt Schwoll ’08 has been admitted into the Master of Arts program in cross-cultural and sustainable business management at the American University of Paris.

Charles Zanders ’08 received his master’s degree in collaborative teaching and learning from Graceland University in 2009. He works at Simpson College as assistant men’s basketball coach and diversity recruiter. Charles and his wife, Linda, live in Des Moines.

Alex Bardole ’09 and Heather Fosburgh Bardole ’09 live in Indianola. Heather is employed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, serving as Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA for the Simpson College Service Hub.

SiMPSOn’S fORTY UnDeR 40The Des Moines Business Record recently honored two Simpson College alumni for their leadership, service and drive. They were recognized as members of the publication’s annual “Forty Under 40” class in March.

Donni Alley ’95, who owns her own business Alley Design Solutions, is president of the Simpson College Alumni Association Board of Directors and is also a member of the Simpson College Board of Trustees. She has also volunteered for Business Horizons, Central Iowa Shelter and Services and the Festival of Trees and Lights for Blank Children’s Hospital. Holly Clifton ’03, a graduate of Simpson’s Evening, Weekend & Graduate Programs, works as global talent development manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred International. She is a member of the Pioneer Women’s Network. She has volunteered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, ChildServe and the Salvation Army.


Melissa Burch ’09 lives in Coon Rapids, Minn., while she works towards her Master of Music degree in vocal performance at the University of Minnesota. She anticipates graduating in 2011.

Holly Peters ’09 and husband, Jason Collins ’02, live in Norwalk. Holly is an accounting support supervisor for EMC Insurance Companies in Des Moines.

Tom Gross ’09 lives and works in Beloit, Wisc. Tom is director of food and beverage for Beloit Snappers.

Lindsey Maas McKelvey ’09 is an account coordinator/media specialist for Love Scott and Associates in West Des Moines. Lindsey lives in Urbandale with husband, Dillon McKelvey ’09.

Michael Roy ’09 lives and works in Des Moines as a loan document specialist for Wells Fargo Financial.

Kayla Seil ’09 lives in Virginia Beach, Va., and works in Norfolk as event manager for Norfolk Tides Baseball Club.

Callie McBroom Simons ’09 and husband, Adam, live in Grimes. Callie is a new media temporary employee at Meredith Corporation.

Jocelyn Stull ’09 lives in Lacona and works as a buyer for Wells Fargo Bank in Des Moines.

Aaron White ’09 lives in Thermopolis, Wy., and is a fifth grade teacher for Hot Springs County School No. 1.

MaRRiageS

Patricia Artzer ’78 and Keith Lippincott, January 2, 2010, Des Moines.

Brandy Addison ’00 and Aleksander Nelson, June 5, 2009, Papillion, Neb.

Jonna Hannasch ’01 and Anthony Gordyan, June 30, 2007, North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Andrea Hastings ’01 and Lt. Warren Lamphiear, June 3, 2009, Halona Cove Beach on Oahu, Hawaii, followed by a ceremony and reception in Des Moines in December 2009.

Ellie Kinkel-Schuster ’03 and Joshua Bunde, December 15, 2009, Antigua.

Carrie LaGree ’03 and Michael Dunham, February 7, 2010, Nashville, Tenn.

Shanie George ’04 and Michael Parcel, October 10, 2009, Camp Dodge in Johnston.

Heath Huberg ’05 and Rebecca Salmen ’06, September 5, 2009.

Denae Crookshank ’06 and Geremy Neisess, September 26, 2009, Marshalltown.

Ryan Laughlin ’06 and Carolyn Myers ’07, April 25, 2009, Smith Chapel, Simpson campus.

Andrea McNamara ’06 and Nathan Wells ’06, November 1, 2008, Prairieburg.

BiRThS

Mackenzie Grace Morrison, July 30, 2009, to Joe W. Morrison, Jr. ’88 and Kim Morrison, Orlando, Fla., joins sister, Hanna.

Alexander James Fry, September 21, 2009, to Amy Seeley Fry ’93 and Mark Fry, Emsworth, England, joins Jonathan Edward (2).

Blake Bradley DeJong, June 28, 2009, to Katie Ellis DeJong ’94 and Brad DeJong, Wadsworth, Ill., joins Claire (7) and Guerin (5).

Tyler Brooks Hill, December 10, 2009, to Arthur D. Hill ’94 and Kristine Brooks Hill ’94, Carlisle.

Henry Francis McGregor, April 15, 2009, to Cecilia M. Jardon McGregor ’94 and Michael L. McGregor, Arlington, Va.

Ethan Bradley Miller, October 22, 2009, to Bradley J. Miller ’94 and Leah Willenborg Miller ’96, Winter Park, Fla., joins twin sisters, Amelia and Raelin (3½).

Reagan McFadden, September 24, 2009, to Rebecca Bradley ’96 and Scott McFadden, Des Moines, joins Rex (3).

Avery Grace Van Dyke, February 03, 2010, to Amy Patterson Van Dyke ’98 and Matthew R. Van Dyke ’98, Norwalk, joins sister, Addison (5).

Rebekah Camille Masek, July 17, 2009, to Jennifer Bailey Masek ’99 and Tim Masek, Seward, Neb.

Jack Thomas Neumann, January 21, 2010, to Kelly Behmer Neumann ’99 and Chad Neumann, Germany.

Elizabeth Clare Weieneth, March 03, 2009, to Aaron E. Weieneth ’99 and Julie Weieneth, Malden, Mass.

Otto Matthew Salge, September 12, 2009, to Kristin Hjelle Salge ’00 and Matt Salge, Waukee.

Abigail Grace Van Dixhorn, August 31, 2009, to Julie Kostner Van Dixhorn ’00 and Tom Van Dixhorn, Chicago, Ill., joins Jake (2).

Emery Ann Smith, September 28, 2009, to Debra Melcher Smith ’01 and Joshua S. Smith ’01, Overland Park, Kan, joins sister, Ellison (3).

Thomas Allen Blanchard, January 30, 2009, to Mindy Thomas Blanchard ’02 and Mark Blanchard, Altoona.

Josiah James Logan, January 07, 2010, to Jamie Taylor Logan ’02 and Bart Logan, Pleasant Hill, welcomed by brother, Micah (3).

Avery Marie Timmins, November 23, 2009, to Kristine Rupp Timmins ’02 and Kyle Timmins, Sioux City.

Molly Karoline Jakobsen, December 02, 2009, to Brooke Beaman Jakobsen ’03 and Mikkel B. Jakobsen ’06, Royal Oak, Mich.

Reese Katherine Bishop, July 13, 2009, to Haley Wulff Bishop ’04 and Thomas Bishop, Centerville, joins Avery (2).

Zoey Jacobson, November 03, 2009, to Erik R. Jacobson ’04 and Jill Price Jacobson ’04, Plantation, Fla.

Peyton Lynn Rinard, January 15, 2010, to Corbin B. Rinard ’05 and Abby Garvin Rinard ’07, Indianola.

Jacob Michael Donnenwerth, April 11, 2009, to Nicole Gruber Donnenwerth ’07 and Kyle Donnenwerth, Hampton.

DeaThS

Lucile Hunt Goodhue ’30, December 13, 2009, Carlisle.

Ruth Robinson Prather ’34, December 25, 2009, Glenview, Ill.

Jack B. White ’36, November 1, 2009, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Barbara Heaton ’37, December 16, 2009, Des Moines.

Dorothy Blackmer Ramsbottom ’37, January 30, 2010, Indianola.

Rue Burke Stevenson ’38, January 14, 2010, Gaithersburg, Md.

Velma Strovers ’38, October 31, 2009, Indianola.

Nina Hawes Goodwin ’39, August 12, 2009, Ames.

Dorothy Smull Hanson ’39, August 29, 2009, Manchester.

Phyllis Robinson McKibban ’41, May 23, 2009, Centralia, Wash.

Grethel Conklin Newcom ’42, April 7, 2009, Redding, Calif.

Christel Schaaf Rogers ’42, September 28, 2008, Omaha, Neb.

Norma McClatchey Hines ’43, June 27, 2009, Belmont, Calif.

Ruth Johnson Jolly ’43, October 4, 2009, Des Moines.

Chrystal Lanphier Linn ’44, May 27, 2009, Richfield, Minn.

Mary McClure McSpadden ’44, October 21, 2009, Oak Grove, Mo.

Ruby I. Davis ’45, November 10, 2008, Thayer.

Flora May Metier Fried ’48, December 6, 2009, West Des Moines.

Margaret Boylan Ritchey ’48, March 14, 2008, Fort Dodge.

Harvey P. Burnham ’50, January 11, 2010, Laurens.

Dorothy Brown Haynie ’50, October 15, 2009, Knoxville.

Beverly Thiessen Spencer ’50, September 22, 2009, Chandler, Ariz.

Norman D. McIntyre ’51, December 21, 2009, Indianola.

Dr. Albert P. Benson ’52, September 29, 2009, Tracy, Calif.

David H. Longenecker ’52, February 18, 2010, Palisades, Colo.

Charles V. Owen, Jr. ’52, September 12, 2009, Bella Vista, Ark.

Galen Perdue ’52, October 7, 2008, Omaha, Neb.

Howard A. Richey ’53, January 8, 2009, Lees Summit, Mo.

James D. Knauer ’57, February 6, 2010, Ladner BC, Canada.

James W. Barnes ’60, October 10, 2009, Villa Rica, Ga.

Rev. Ronald D. Rankin ’68, June 26, 2008, Dubuque.

Romelle Wehrman ’82, January 24, 2009, West Branch.

Brian S. Boka ’01, January 17, 2010, Waukee.

James W. Stevenson ’01, June 12, 2009, Des Moines.

erma Shaw Jordan ’28 passed away on Dec. 5, 2009 at the age of 104. Throughout her life, Erma was a proud supporter of Simpson College, and the contributions she made to the college with her late husband, Al Jordan ’26, have made a lasting impact on the college and touched the lives of thousands of students.

Erma met Al in a chemistry lab while attending Simpson. When the couple learned that the college was considering tearing down that lab, they made a gift that not only renovated the building but also provided scholarships to deserving students who otherwise may not have been able to attend college. In appreciation, the college named the largest lecture hall in the Carver Science Center after the Jordans.

Erma and Al were also influential in the creation of The Presidents’ Society Dinner, an event that recognizes donors who give more than $1,000 a year to the college. The dinner is now a 28-year tradition and was an event that Erma and Al attended with pride for many years.

Catherine Wilson Barker ’43 Catherine Wilson Barker ’43 of El Cajon, Calif. passed away Dec. 30 after a long illness. She was married to Richard M. Barker ‘43. Barker received a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Simpson. While primarily a homemaker, she taught home economics and elementary school and cared for the elderly. In 2006, the south end of Hillman Hall was refurbished and restored to its former grandeur. The Barkers were the major donors for the project, choosing the area where they once courted during their college years. Since its original dedication in 1921, the south wing has served many purposes including a dance hall, classrooms and administrative offices. The area, renamed the Cathy Barker Suite, now houses the Offices of Alumni Relations and College Advancement.

Carroll M. Proctor ’43 former assistant professor of music, passed away Jan. 1 in Newton. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He later earned a master’s degree in music from Louisiana State University, doctorates in music arts and musicology from the University of Iowa and a certificate from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He lived in Europe for several years, where he sang professionally and taught music. Proctor taught at Simpson between 1980 and 1984. He is survived by his wife Carol Soderblom Proctor, professor emeritus of music, who taught at Simpson from 1977 to 1994. They made their home in Newton, where he opened a vocal studio.


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PAIDDes Moines, IAPermit No. 5740

Change SeRviCe ReQUeSTeD

TRivia!Do you know the story behind this Simpson landmark? Tell us where this stone is located and explain the relationship between Simpson College and Oxford University. The first person to answer correctly wins a Simpson alumni prize package. Email your response to [email protected].

Thanks to all who responded to our Simpson paperweight mystery question in the last issue. We received many different theories about its history! To read some of the responses visit www.simpsonmagazine.com.

Spring 2010

Documents

Transcript of Spring 2010