2015 Fall Simpson Magazine

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HONORING

Veterans

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P R E S I D E N T ’ S

M E S S A G E

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The desire to serve SIMPSON HAS A LONG TRADITION OF SELFLESSNESS AND SERVICE. FROM THE FOUNDING OF THE COLLEGE UNTIL TODAY, THAT COMMITMENT HAS PERMEATED AND MOTIVATED THE MISSION OF THE COLLEGE. We can find innumerable sources contributing to that desire to serve, ranging from the values of a liberal arts education to the College’s affiliation with The United Methodist Church.

In this issue of the Simpson Magazine, you will encounter a variety of men and women whose sense of service led them to the nation’s military. The veterans and alumni dedicated to helping them, highlighted in the following pages, have incredible stories to share. This edition of the magazine tells their stories, which underscore their contributions on our collective behalf. As a retired faculty member who is a veteran recently commented to me, “Without the service of our veterans, our communities simply would not exist in the way that we know them, if they existed at all.”

As you peruse these pages, I hope you will share my gratitude for the service these men and women have given. They and their service represent the very best of Simpson.

Sincerely,

J AY K . S I M M O N S

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4 A SIMPSON SUCCESS 6 THIS IS SIMPSON 8 FACULTY PURSUITS Shane Cox Faculty Accomplishments 11 CONTINUING & GRADUATE PROGRAMS 12 AROUND CAMPUS 14 COVER STORY Honoring Our Veterans 22 ATHLETICS 24 CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE 25 EXTRA! New Majors at Simpson Mark J. Harris Challenge Tech Trek The Honor Roll of Names 29 TOURING THE YEARS

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35 CALENDAR OF EVENTS On the cover: After serving in Afghanistan, Aaron White ’09 now spends his time teaching and working on the family farm near Carlisle. Story: Pages 18-19.

The Simpson Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations. Send correspondence to themagazine@simpson.edu.

THE MAGAZINE Jay K. Simmons Simpson College President Produced by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations Jill Ramthun Johnson ’85 Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations Leslie Byars Diehl ’03 Art Director

Ken Fuson Marketing Writer/Media Strategist

Oscar Preis Web Development Specialist

Danny Fast Digital Content Specialist

Mary Fortune Administrative Assistant

Amanda Leichty ’10 Graphic Designer

Touring the Years Editor Sara Thompson Amy West ’15

Office of Alumni Relations Andy English ’05 Director 515-961-1547

Contributing Writers Ken Fuson Bryan Geelan ’07 Jill Ramthun Johnson ’85

Office of College Advancement Bob Lane ’81 Vice President 515-961-1549

Bryan Geelan ’07 Athletics Communication Director

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Photography Luke Behaunek Danny Fast Nick Hermon ’16

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“This absolutely puts us as a leading STEM school in Iowa, the Midwest and the country.”

-Heidi Berger associate professor of mathematics

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RECEIVES

prestigious National Science Foundation grant for STEM scholarships.

“THIS IS A GAME-CHANGER.” That was the expression heard most often on campus when Simpson learned it would receive a $586,784 grant from the National Science Foundation’s S-STEM initiative.

It wasn’t simply the size of the award, although it does rank as one of the largest in the College’s 155-year history.

What the National Science Foundation (NSF) did was to acknowledge Simpson’s role as a national leader in providing an excellent education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

“This absolutely puts us as a leading STEM school in Iowa, the Midwest and the country,” said Heidi Berger, associate professor of mathematics. “Fewer than 1 in 4 proposals were funded nationwide in 2015, and only two of those projects were in Iowa.”

Berger led the Simpson team that worked more than two years on securing the grant. She was assisted by Rick Spellerberg, professor of mathematics; Aaron Santos, assistant professor of physics; Mark Brodie, associate professor of computer science; and John Wilson, director of foundation and government support at Simpson.

Heider Berger, Rick Spellerberg, John Wilson and Aaron Santos

The NSF grant will provide $8,400 annual scholarships for 15 academically-talented and financially-needy STEM students. They will begin classes in the fall of 2016; recruiting will take place for the next several months. The goal is to prepare the students for careers in a STEM field.

What caught the attention of the NSF—and what Berger refers to as “novel and exciting”—is the mentoring program that Simpson and private businesses have established for the scholarship recipients.

Companies such as The Principal Financial Group, EMC Insurance and IntegriVault have agreed to provide mentoring opportunities. Iowa State University will provide help for students interested in graduate school. A mentor from Norwalk Public Schools will assist students interested in secondary education.

“The collaboration with industry and graduate schools is a major strength for this proposal,” the NSF said. Each of the 15 students will be provided a mentor.

There will be benefits to all Simpson students because of the grant, including speakers to campus, visits to area industries and conferences.

Berger said alumni could help students succeed in STEM fields in several ways: • Recruiting academically talented students interested in math and science for the program. Specific guidelines for eligibility can be found at the website listed below.

• Serving as mentors, either by talking about their careers on campus or having students visit them at work.

• Posing interesting, real-life problems that students could work on in the classroom.

The scholarship recipients will arrive on a campus with a well-established reputation for nurturing students in the STEM fields, including fielding teams for the international Mathematical and Interdisciplinary Competitions in Modeling, promoting undergraduate research and hosting a Tech Trek for middle-school girls. (See page 26.)

Berger says Simpson’s work could produce a national model for mentoring students, not only into STEM fields, but also who might not otherwise have a chance to attend college.

“I hope we are starting something here that will have a ripple effect, at Simpson College and throughout the country,” she said.

For more information, go to www.simpson.edu/carver-bridgescholars/. ■

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Photos submitted by the Mosinski Family.

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A FA M I LY ’ S

SERVICE B Y K AT I E E I C H E L B E R G E R ‘ 16

WHEN SARAH MOSINSKI BEGINS FIRST-YEAR CLASSES AT SIMPSON THIS FALL, SHE WILL BE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HER FATHER, DONALD ’89, AND MOTHER, JENNIFER SCHOSSOW MOSINSKI ’90.

“My dad is really important, and I’m just coming to realize that.”

-Sarah Mosinski

But those steps will not be taken in Army boots.

Unlike her father, who joined as a sophomore at Simpson, Sarah has no plans to sign up for the Iowa National Guard, but she will be bringing to campus a tremendous respect for all who serve.

She has seen their dedication and the sacrifices they make from a front-row seat.

But it’s not only the people in uniform who serve the country and make sacrifices.

Family members do, too. Sarah can remember those times when her father was deployed overseas.

“My dad is really important, and I’m just coming to realize that,” she says.

Lt. Col. Donald Mosinski recently assumed the position of commander of the Guard’s 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. It’s the position formerly held by current U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

In May, he will lead the unit when it is deployed overseas.

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“It’s a huge honor and a lot of responsibility,” he said.

“People have the confidence in you to lead soldiers.”

months and again for 18 months after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

Lt. Col. Mosinski has served in the Iowa National Guard for 28 years, collecting many honors. Only three percent of military officers reach the rank of battalion commander, and he is one of only 11 in Iowa.

She remembers turning on the computer webcam so her husband could watch as she cooked dinner or helped their three children with homework. It was a way to keep home life as normal as possible.

Before he joined the Guard, though, Lt. Col. Mosinski joined the Simpson family. He was an offensive lineman on the football team and the 1988 Homecoming king.

But it wasn’t always easy. Sarah becomes emotional describing those times when there were blackouts and all communication was cut off with her father. It could happen without warning.

“Simpson prepared me for my future and gave me a well-rounded education that prepared me for whatever was ahead of me,” he says.

It was also where he met his wife. Jennifer Schossow Mosinski teaches preschool in Audubon, where the family lives, enjoys photography and is the director of religious education at her church.

Jennifer learned patience early in their relationship.

She remembers one date, when she thought he was going to propose marriage.

“Instead of a ring in my hand, I had papers telling me he was going to be deployed,” she says, laughing.

After they were married and began raising a family, Skype became their main form of communication during his deployments. Lt. Col. Mosinski was deployed during Operation Desert Storm for six

“Jennifer and the kids and I would have a time set up and I just wouldn’t be able to call,” Lt. Col. Mosinski says. But he says the work was important: “The things we were doing, route-clearance-wise, finding the IEDs, that was something that saved lives.”

Sarah will be a student when her father is deployed for 10 months in May. She is looking forward to joining student organizations and studying education.

While his soldiers view her father as their commander, Sarah still sees him as the person who took her to Disney World and made a surprise appearance on her birthday. Her favorite memory is during a military ball when her father pulled her on to the dance floor to shake to, “All About that Bass.”

“He tries to act serious, but I can see right through it,” Sarah says. “To me, he’s still my dad who dances.” ■

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING

Education: B.A., Accounting, Simpson College, 2005 Certified Public Accountant, 2006 M.B.A., Drake University, 2010

SHANE COX ’05

A logical choice

HAD SOMEONE TOLD SHANE COX ’05 IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT SOMEDAY HE WOULD BE A COLLEGE PROFESSOR, HE WOULD HAVE LAUGHED. The U.S. Navy changed all that.

Cox says he was an aimless young man looking for direction when he enlisted in 1996. Four years later, when he got out, he knew he wanted a college degree.

He spent two years at Des Moines Area Community College, and then transferred to Simpson. He joined the Simpson faculty in 2010 as an assistant professor of accounting.

Cox’s office contains several reminders of his military background, including the folded American flag that rested atop the coffin of his grandfather, Harold B. Cox, who fought against the Nazis in Germany.

There’s also a 1999 photo of Cox receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding service aboard the USS Sides.

“The reason I cherish that so much is because I worked hard and I got recognized for it,” he says. “I learned how to set goals in the Navy.”

During his time of service, the USS Cole was bombed, killing 17 American sailors and injuring 39.

“That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a career move, that you could really die in the military,” he says.

He spent two, six-month deployments in Southeast Asia before returning home.

Cox’s service made him a logical choice to call on when Steve Griffith, senior vice president and academic dean, asked him and Adam Brustkern, assistant professor of

chemistry, to organize a Veteran’s Day ceremony on campus last year.

Cox hopes to expand the program this year and host a lunch for students who have served or are serving in the military.

“The reason I’m doing it is because I personally know what veterans have done for this country, what they have done for people who are enjoying the luxuries of America, and I think we, as an institution, need to not only say thank you, but also to formally recognize it,” he says.

These days, Cox has another goal: To make Simpson’s accounting program the best in the state. With one-third of the College’s accounting graduates landing jobs with the “Big Four” accounting firms, “we’re at the top among private colleges,” he says. “It’s a top-notch program.”

FOUR QUESTIONS FOR SHANE: If I weren’t teaching I would be…Making a killing in

corporate America.

Name something people would be surprised to learn about you…I’m very interested in the arts. I love it. Minimalism

is my favorite art form.

Favorite place I’ve visited is…Ireland.

What I do outside the classroom…Primarily, I work out. I do martial arts.

Favorite book…”Undisputed Truth: The Autobiography of Mike Tyson.” ■

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Paul Craven, associate professor of computer science, recently released the third edition to his book, e-book and website, Program Arcade Games with Python and Pygame.

His website gets over 2,300 unique visitors each weekday when school is in session.

Tim McMillin, associate professor of music, conducted the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble, by special invitation, at the Iowa Choral Directors Association Summer Symposium. He also presented a workshop entitled, “The Solo Voice in the Choral Setting,” a community choir reading session and a conducting masterclass.

Jackie Brittingham, professor of biology, led a week-long, on-campus STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) camp for 8th-grade girls from the region called Tech Trek. The event was co-hosted with the Indianola branch of the national American Association of University Women (AAUW). The residential camp provided hands-on exploration of STEM skills and careers and promoted equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

Steve Rose, professor of education, published Case Studies Focused on Teacher Dispositions in the Twenty-First Century Accompanied by Means to Help Educators Understand and Adopt Effective Dispositions. The document consists of 16 case studies for teacher education students of all disciplines and will be made available through the Iowa College of Teacher Education Association.

Matthew Lau, assistant professor of music, returned to the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for its 40th anniversary to work on a new production of The Barber of Seville. He also was cast as Henry Mosher in Tobias Picker’s new opera, Emmeline, which made international news as the composer and librettist were on hand to re-work much of the score.

Bob Kling, adjunct instructor of art, had his painting, a 36’x48’ acrylic titled, Bursting to Life, selected for publication in the new book, Acrylic Works 3: Celebrating Texture!, set to be published in early 2016 by North Light Books. The book features the best contemporary acrylic paintings from 100 artists across the United States.

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Maeve Callan, professor of religion, presented “How Persecutions of the Past Inform Conflicts of the Present: Examples from Ireland” at Iowa State University. She was also invited to present “Scothin’s Syneisaktoi and Orbile’s Aging: Sisterhood, Syneisaktism and Sexual Violence in Irish Hagiography” at the University of California Berkeley.

Callan presented an inaugural lecture of “Women and the Church” and also “The Secret of Ledrede’s Success” in Dublin, Ireland. She wrote a piece on the English colonization of Ireland for the Irish Times website.

Callan’s essay “Líadain’s Lament, Darerca’s Life, and Íte’s Ísucán: Evidence for Nuns’ Literacies” was published in Nuns’ Literacies in Medieval Europe.

The Iowa International Center’s Dialogue Series invited Callan to speak on the theme, “One State, Many Faiths: Religious Diversity in Iowa.” She also attended the Council of Independent College/Interfaith Youth Core Seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding in Chicago.

Camille Sutton, assistant professor of world languages & cultures, presented “My Electric Nerves: Affect and Technology in the Latin American Avant-Gardes” at the convention of the Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA) in Toronto.

Michael Eckerty, associate professor of music, presented a clinic on bassoon pedagogy and instruction at the 2015 Iowa Bandmasters Conference alongside Dr. Erin Bodnar from Graceland University.

David Richmond, professor of art, worked with Humanities Iowa as the Art Director for their yearly magazine, Voices From The Prairie. Richmond also organized the bonsai show in the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fair.

Richmond’s Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) won a 3rd place ribbon in Literati style.

Mimi Kammer, assistant professor of theatre, presented her paper, “Staging Ecodramaturgy: A Case Study,” at the Earth Matters On-Stage Ecodrama Play Festival and Symposium at the University of Nevada–Reno. The presentation focused on Kammer’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s late play, Pericles, which was produced by Simpson’s theatre department. continued >>>>

“Bursting to Life” by Bob Kling

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James Poulsen, instructor of music theory and piano, recorded a set of songs by Des Moines composer, Elaine Erickson. The work, entitled Frissons, featured mezzosoprano Suzanne Lommler, adjunct voice instructor.

Poulsen arranged two hymns into a medley for performance in Wisconsin by Virginia Lauridsen, voice faculty.

Poulsen has also rearranged the orchestral score for one of Simpson’s fall opera productions, The Child and the Spells. He appeared in 33 jazz performances over the summer, including shows with small groups, larger bands and solo appearances.

Dave Camwell, associate professor of saxophone & jazz studies, recorded two CD’s, one classical with orchestra and one jazz with the Simpson College jazz camp faculty.

Camwell was also an artist-in-residence at Ankeny Centennial High School, Harlan High School and Storm Lake. He performed in Davenport, the Universities of Wyoming, Nevada–Reno and Drake, as well as with the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera. Camwell was a judge for several high school jazz festivals, and this fall, will tour Western Canada with the Oasis Quartet.

Allison Wolf, associate professor of philosophy, was invited to give a lecture and graduate workshop on contemporary feminist justice at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.

Nick Proctor, professor of history, ran his “Reacting to the Past” game, “Kentucky, 1861,” at the annual meeting of the Society for Values in Higher Education at Western Kentucky University. Additionally, his essay, “Other Apocalypses: Historical Perspectives on Mass Destruction,” will appear in the pseudo-scholarly But If a Zombie Apocalypse Did Occur: Essays on Medical, Military, Governmental, Ethical, Economic and Other Implications. Proctor also helped facilitate a roundtable discussion on “Controversial Content in the Classroom” at the Reacting to the Past Summer Institute at Barnard College.

Bernard McDonald, assistant professor of music and Larsen Chair in Opera, made his Canadian debut in Kelowna, British Columbia, conducting Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro composed in 1786.

Spencer Waugh, instructor of speech and debate, received the “Brightest Star Coaching Award” out of 80 other colleges at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament.

Waugh was also elected onto the Pi Kappa Delta National Executive Council. Additionally, Waugh received the Outstanding Campus Leadership Award during Simpson’s Spring Honors Convocation.

David Wolf, professor of English, published his fourth collection of poetry, Sablier II. The volume is the latest installment of his long persona work, Sablier. Wolf read from the collection and presented at a session on persona poetry at the North American Review Bicentennial Creative Writing and Literature Conference at the University of Northern Iowa.

Jennifer Nostrala, professor of theatre arts, directed a production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang at StageWest in Des Moines. Ann Woldt, assistant professor of theatre, played the role of Sonia.

John Pauley, professor of philosophy, had several essays published, including “Evil is Business as Usual: An Essay on Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men,” published in a special issue of the journal Janus Head on Evil. A second essay, “Affliction, Free Will and Theodicy,” is being published in the international peer reviewed Journal of Academic Perspectives. “The Humanities and Imaginative Inquiry: Aesthetic Consciousness of Truth” was published in The Proceedings of the School of Visual Arts 29th Annual Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists. Pauley was also invited to present his essay, “Art as Revelation” at that same conference. ■

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C O N T I N U I N G

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Photo submitted by Cindi Dammann Ragland ’13.

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F I N D I NG A

WAY

WHEN SHE WAS A JUNIOR AT MANNING HIGH SCHOOL, CINDI DAMMANN RAGLAND ’13 ATTENDED HER BROTHER’S GRADUATION FROM THE IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD’S BASIC TRAINING CAMP. “I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” she says.

She signed up for the Guard on her 17th birthday, took basic training and then returned to high school to complete her senior year.

A year later, her Guard unit was deployed to a combat zone in Taji, Iraq, for 24 months; she was deployed there again as a combat medic in 2009.

“You grow up pretty quickly, and I needed that,” she says.

The growing-up process included going to college to earn a degree after she returned home in 2010.

“Simpson provided me with life experience credits, and that was a consideration,” she says. “But, really, the biggest factor was Craig Peck,” director of continuing & graduate programs at the Ankeny campus. “He’s just phenomenal. He sat down and laid it all out for me, and that helped me decide that Simpson is where I wanted to go to school.”

Today, Ragland is a Sergeant First Class in the Guard.

She lives in Ankeny with her husband, Patrick, who holds the same Guard rank, and their four children, Gabriel, 7; Keira, 6; Ramsey, 4; and 1-year-old Finley.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in business management and marketing. Currently, she works as a marketing NCO for the Iowa Army National Guard.

“I never had an interest in business until this, and I love it,” she says.

Those who think they are too busy to take college courses should keep in mind that Ragland completed her coursework while working full-time for the Guard, being a single mother (Patrick was deployed) and being pregnant.

Despite all that, she still earned a 3.988 grade-point average.

“Accounting got me,” she explains, laughing.

She would encourage others to “jump in” and pursue their dreams.

“I think you can find time for anything,” she says. “If going back to school is something that somebody wants to do, they can find a way to do it.”

“I think you can find time for anything. If going back to school is something that somebody wants to do, they can find a way to do it.”

-Cindi Dammann Ragland ’13

Choosing Simpson was a great decision, Ragland says.

Choosing to join the Guard was another.

“The Guard gave me a way to accomplish my goals,” she says. “I will always be grateful for my time with them.” ■

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APPLAUSE

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GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN SIMPSON STUDENTS DARTED BETWEEN PARKED CARS ON A BUSY, NARROW CITY STREET TO GET FROM ONE PART OF CAMPUS TO ANOTHER. It has been nearly a year since the dedication of the Pedestrian Plaza, but it didn’t take long to conclude that the $2 million project had accomplished its goals: • It has helped to physically unify the campus.

• It has made Simpson safer, diverting vehicle traffic away from the former C Street, a one-way street that bisected the campus.

• It has provided a space that can be used by both the Simpson and Indianola communities and serves as an extension of beautiful Buxton Park that borders the north side of campus.

We invite you to come see this inviting new space for yourself. Make sure to stop at the iconic sculpture near the Kent Campus Center. You can find The Honor Roll of the Names That Live at Simpson on the recognition walls standing at the southern edge of the plaza. ■ 13 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

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HONORING

Veterans SIMPSON COLLEGE HONORS VETERANS. After all, they have been, and continue to be, an integral part of the College’s history.

In September 1860, the Indianola Male and Female Seminary began its first term, and so did the history of what would eventually be known as Simpson College.

Seven months later, the newly formed Confederate States Army attacked Fort Sumter, and the American Civil War had begun, but on campus as elsewhere in the North it was known as the War of the Rebellion.

“Patriotism thrilled, vibrated and pulsated through every heart,” wrote historian George Parker.

In Beneath the Whispering Maples: The History of Simpson College, Joseph W. Walt wrote, “Although few of the students of the seminary were old enough to march off to battle, the uncertainty of the times was reflected by a decline in enrollment during the war years.”

In 1918, during World War I, 79 undergraduate men were sworn into the local chapter of the Students Army

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Training Corps, but the war ended a few weeks later.

When word of the Armistice reached campus, Walt wrote, students were “awakened by shouts and roaring automobiles.” Classes were cancelled, and Hopper Gym became the site of an impromptu night of entertainment.

World War II had the greatest impact on campus. By one count, 884 people with Simpson connections served. “By the spring of 1944, when women outnumbered men four to one, a man who couldn’t find a date on Friday evening was truly to be pitied,” Walt wrote.

In 1945, there were 18 gold stars on the Simpson service flag that hung in the Student Union, indicating those who had been killed in combat. Nine were listed as missing in action.

The war’s end, and the GI Bill, sent a flood of veterans to campus. In 1947-48, veterans accounted for nearly 40 percent of the 781 full-time students. By 1950, during the Korean War, enrollment had declined by 17 percent.

Simpson did not escape the strife of the Vietnam War era. “Never in Simpson’s history had a public issue so aroused undergraduates,” and anti-war protests were commonplace, Walt wrote. In 1969, several veterans registered “their distaste for the dissidents” by organizing a Veterans Club.

Today, Simpson serves about 50 students who receive VA Education benefits, including 10 who are active in the Iowa Army National Guard. Rhonda Pooley, assistant to the Registrar, works to make sure that veterans receive all the benefits and scholarships to which they are entitled.

“The veterans on campus are great students, and we want to do all we can to welcome and help them,” she said.

Simpson alumni also help veterans. John Hancock ’75 established Warriors Heart to Art in Spokane, Wash., to help veterans through art (see page 20). Nile Ramsbottom ’66 has established God Cares, a charitable organization to help veterans find employment. He will donate a portion of his book, Prepare for Leadership: From Farm Boy to Times Square, proceeds to the charity.

“Veterans are most deserving and responsible for preserving our freedom that allows the rest of us the opportunity to pursue our goals in life,” Ramsbottom said.

We have dedicated this issue of the magazine to veterans with Simpson connections as well as the alumni who help them. You will find some of their stories on the following pages. You can find more veterans’ stories at www. simpson.edu/veterans.

Everyone in the Simpson community is invited to attend the second annual Veterans Day celebration on campus at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in Hubbell Hall. If you know a veteran, bring him or her with you.

“We think it’s important that Simpson acknowledges and says thank you to those who have served our country,” says Shane Cox ’05, assistant professor of accounting and a veteran himself. (See page 8). n

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GERRY

Berry

’67

THE TEAM BASKETBALL PHOTO CONTAINED IN THE 1965 EDITION OF THE ZENITH IS NOT REMARKABLE FOR ANYTHING THAT OCCURRED ON THE COURT THAT SEASON. THE TEAM WENT 7-17.

But in that photo, you’ll find three players who went on to become U.S. Marine Corps pilots in the Vietnam War: Gerry Berry, Doug Simmons and J. Thomas Schmidt, all members of the Class of 1967. Another class member, Sevath Boyum, also became a Marine pilot.

“I don’t know how it happened, but the Marine Corps got a lot of people out of Simpson College during the Vietnam War,” says Berry, who retired in 1993 as a colonel after 25 years of service.

“We had more aviators in the Marine Corps that year from Simpson than anyplace other than the Naval Academy. It was amazing.”

Berry, who grew up in Des Moines, chose Simpson because it offered him the opportunity to play football and basketball.

“It was a great educational experience for me,” he says. “It really was. I came from a relatively poor family, so being able to come to a school like Simpson was a wonderful opportunity. I made great friends for life.”

He became reacquainted with one of those friends while on a mission in the Au Shau Valley during the Vietnam War. “The pilot in my support airplane, shooting the guns, was Doug Simmons,” Berry says. “He was flying a Cobra gun helicopter. It was fantastic, just one of those things that worked out.”

Berry was the first Marine to attend the U.S. Army Flight School and the youngest pilot of a CH-46 helicopter in his squadron. He logged more than 4,800 flight hours during his career, including one dangerous mission that left his co-pilot dead and two other crew members injured.

He became a part of American history in late April of 1975, flying 18.3 hours over a 20-hour span to evacuate people from the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, including U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin. Berry flew 17 trips, and was the pilot of the next-to-last U.S. helicopter to leave Saigon.

He has been featured in the book, Last Men Out, as well as the PBS documentary, Last Days in Vietnam and Iowans Remember Vietnam, an Iowa Public Television special.

During his military career, Berry was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Single Mission Air Medals, a Navy Commendation medal, a Combat Action Ribbon and 46 Air Medals.

Berry now lives in Florida. He retired for good a few years ago. “I haven’t done anything better than I’ve done retirement,” he says, laughing. “I’m very good at it.”

Berry is proud of his military career, but he says he’s equally proud to call himself a Simpson alum.

“It was just tremendous for me,” he says. “Fit me perfectly.” n

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Photos submitted by Gerry Berry ’67.

#23: Tom Schmidt, #33: Doug Simmons, #43: Gerry Berry

KRISTINA

Kelehan ’12

B Y B R I T TA N Y R O B B ‘ 16

MANY FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS SPEND THEIR TIME ADJUSTING TO COLLEGE CLASSES, GETTING TO KNOW THEIR ROOMMATES AND DECIDING WHAT ACTIVITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN. Kristina Kelehan ’12 faced another task: Preparing to be deployed to Kosovo with a NATO peace-keeping mission as part of her duties as an Iowa Army National Guard member.

Kelehan, who is from Des Moines, spent eight years with the Iowa Guard from age 17 until being discharged in 2012.

“When I started at Simpson, I was excited to finally be a college student, but I also spent the year preparing for my deployment to Kosovo,” she said. “While preparing for my deployment, I had immense support from those I knew at Simpson. Professors worked with my training schedule the few times I needed to adjust things with classes, and the administration was on top of everything that needed to be done to prepare for my transition.”

Kelehan completed one year at Simpson before deploying to Kosovo from May 2010 until April 2011. She was part of an aviation unit offering support to the region in the Balkan Peninsula. At her sendoff ceremony, which was covered by WHO-TV, her Simpson Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sisters attended to show their support.

She was a history and English major with a minor in women’s and gender studies, but said spending time away from her Simpson studies was worth it because of the work she was able to be part of during her deployment.

“One of the things I loved most about my time in Kosovo was the time I was able to work with local high school

students,” she said. “Our unit prepared students for the TOEFL (English language placement) exam to help them enter an English-speaking university. I worked mostly with a group of girls in the basic course. They quickly became friends and I learned about their own stories and struggles during the war.”

Two of the girls now are studying in the United States, while another is serving an internship here. Three are working on their degrees in Kosovo. “I see them every day on Facebook and love hearing about how their lives are going,” she said.

Kelehan’s unit raised money for the advanced class to take the TOEFL exam by holding a “Waffle House” in one of the hangers every Sunday. They raised enough money to help 20 advanced students take their exams.

Transitioning back to college life presented some challenges, but Kelehan said she had immense support from the campus community and was warmly welcomed back.

“Starting classes that fall semester I was back was interesting,” Kelehan said. “I had professors who helped me get back into the mindset of being a student again and, interestingly enough, being deployed helped shape my interests for my time at Simpson. I had amazing support from all around, from my professors, KKG, and Student Support Services especially, with first returning to campus and then figuring out what I wanted the rest of my Simpson career to be.” n

17 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

AARON

White ’09

B Y K AT I E E I C H E L B E R G E R ‘ 16

CHICKENS COOED AND ROOSTERS CROWED AS AARON WHITE 09’ PROVIDED A TOUR OF HIS FARM HOME NEAR CARLISLE. For White, most days begin before 5 a.m., but he always makes sure to be home for dinner with his wife, Dana Dunn White ’09, and their two children.

Another is due in October.

White is a family man. You can hear it in his voice as he talks about the future of his family. You can see it in how he watches his kids play through the kitchen door as his wife prepares dinner behind him.

This family farm scene could not provide a sharper contrast to White’s tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he served as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005.

“There are a lot of experiences,” White said, “both good and bad.”

But those experiences inspired two goals: He wanted to return home to farm, and he wanted to attend college.

“That was a pivotal moment in my life,” he says. “I’m in Afghanistan and all the dangers that are involved with it, but the way the people live in Afghanistan is so primitive. It’s like going back into a Biblical time frame, the way they lived, and it kind of made me miss farming.”

After leaving the Marines, he visited several schools, but none made him feel the way Simpson did.

“I felt wanted,” he says.

He now teaches fifth-grade at Carlisle Elementary where he uses a hands-on teaching experience influenced from his history classes at Simpson.

“Simpson has given me a profession, a love for teaching that I don’t want to give up,” White said.

In addition, White is a member of Homegrown for Heroes, a food label for products grown by other veterans like him. He also has worked with Michael O’Gorman, founder and director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, taking a trip to the U.S. Capitol to advocate for veterans getting a start in farming.

His dream is to continue producing wholesome food and also provide guidance for beginning farmers who need it. He hopes consumers will look for the Homegrown for Heroes label when they buy groceries.

White tears off a piece of kale and puts it in his mouth. It’s a good life on the farm, but he knows he didn’t get there by himself: “My family, my wife, my faith and my friends—the support that they provided for me, from day one to where I am now, has just been very helpful.” n

18 SIMPSON COLLEGE

Dana, Mirabel, Bronson and Aaron.

19 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Photos submitted by John Hancock ’75.

JOHN

Hancock B Y K AT I E E I C H E L B E R G E R ‘ 16

’75

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, KNOWN AS PTSD, HAS AFFECTED 30 PERCENT OF VIETNAM WAR VETERANS AND 11 PERCENT OF THE VETERANS WHO FOUGHT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. John Hancock ’75 believes art can help those who aren’t helped in more traditional ways.

Hancock is executive director of Warriors Heart to Art in Spokane, Wash., which he helped start two years ago.

An acquaintance who suffered from PTSD discovered that art therapy helped him and asked Hancock to start a program in Spokane.

Hancock had performed and managed symphony orchestra music until 2006. At Simpson, he says Dr. Robert Larsen taught him “the ideals of beauty and tradition.” Hancock also learned “the ways of presenting the unfamiliar in accessible and enjoyable ways, helping people discover unanticipated commonalities and pleasures.”

Warriors Heart to Art, he says, is “a very local, very personal response to discouraged people I get to know.”

The program invites struggling veterans to participate in a four-day program held once a year.

Organized entirely by volunteers, Warriors Heart to Art provides support and supplies for a group session as well as two facilitated art experiences. The group has helped 21 veterans in two years.

“It’s an autobiography in both of those circumstances,” Hancock said. “Some pretty powerful stuff comes out

that you can see in those images.”

Hancock said the program tries to help the veterans reclaim their identities.

“When a young person joins the military, the whole basic training is designed to erase the individualism of that person,” he said.

For some, he said, the identity-changing aspect of becoming a warrior is a positive thing, but for others it can be debilitating.

Vietnam Veteran Harvey Moses of Spokane suffered with PTSD since 1972 without even knowing it. Through Warriors Heart to Art, he realized how it was affecting his relationships and since then, has been working on mending them.

“It’s helped me with my relationships, my family and dealing with people,” he said. “I wish that I’d had it a long time ago and I wish we could get more people through it.”

Hancock said organizers would like to expand the program to more than once a year and to follow up with alumni from the program.

“We would be honored for our project to be imitated in other cities and are willing to share all of what we’ve done and what we’ve discovered with others,” he said. n

20 SIMPSON COLLEGE

Hill

ROB HILL ’66 SERVED 25 YEARS IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, INCLUDING A TOUR OF DUTY IN VIETNAM, BUT IT WAS THE DAY HE WAS COMMISSIONED AS AN OFFICER THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE. The date was May 29, 1966. It was commencement day at Simpson.

The day before, Hill had married his college sweetheart, Julie Flora Hill ’65, in a service at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola.

Ev Lanning, a Simpson faculty member, officiated at the service. Another faculty member, Joseph Walt, who was Hill’s mentor and would become his close friend, held the reception at his home.

Rob and Julie.

Hill figured his family was already in town, so why not have the swearing-in ceremony for his officer commission the same weekend?

So Hill showed up for commencement in his cap and gown. Underneath the gown he wore his Marine Corps dress white uniform.

“After President (Ralph C.) John gave me my diploma, I ran around the stage at graduation, took off my cap and gown and met my family in his office,” he says.

And that’s how Rob Hill was sworn in as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

The Des Moines Register wrote a story about it with this headline: “Wed, Graduated, Commissioned—in 24 Hours.”

“I just remember it was a lovely day,” Hill says. “It was an exciting event.”

Hill would go on to spend nine months at sea with the Navy and 13 months in Vietnam during the war, during which he was injured but eventually returned to battle.

He was activated from the USMC Reserve for Operation Desert Storm, one of many assignments he had. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1992. He and Julie now divide their time between Coral Springs, Fla., and Sewanee, Tenn.

But Hill says his military career might never have happened had he not had some sense knocked into him—literally—by Craig Carver ’66.

Hill was from New Jersey and had, by his own definition, “the typical East Coast mentality.” In short, he was a wiseacre. Carver was from Ames and a serious student.

They did not get along.

After one of several fistfights, Hill says, “Craig told me I needed to get my life readjusted. He was exactly right.

We became the very dearest of friends and remained so until he died in 1999. I owe a lot to him.”

Having chosen Simpson largely on the basis of a photograph he saw of the campus, Hill says it was the right place for him.

“I had a wonderful four years at Simpson,” he says. “I was an SAE and lived with Dr. Walt a couple of years. Joe and I became lifelong friends. I met my bride there on a blind date. I learned a lot from the people I met there and I’m proud to be a Simpson graduate.” n

21 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Photo submitted by Rob Hill ’66.

ROB

’66

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A T H L E T I C S

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JOE REMEMBERING

1 9 4 9 - 2 0 1 5

IN THE LONG, STORIED HISTORY OF SIMPSON COLLEGE, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI FROM DIFFERENT GENERATIONS ALWAYS HAVE EMERGED TO REPRESENT EXCELLENCE. Joe Blake Sr. ’71 was one of them.

“Joe Blake represented the best of Simpson College,” said Brian Niemuth, the director of athletics.

The shock of losing Blake, 65, who died May 25 in a singlevehicle accident north of Indianola, has not waned in the succeeding months.

Not in Indianola, where he grew up, lived and worked. Not on the Simpson campus, where he excelled in sports as a student, served 31 seasons as the College’s pitching coach, and where his son, Ben, is the head baseball coach. And certainly not for the hundreds of students and athletes who viewed Blake as a coach, mentor and friend.

Brett Crable ‘14 remembered the last time he saw Blake, his pitching coach.

“He gave me a hug and told me he loved me,” Crable told a Des Moines television station.

More than 1,500 people turned out to express their appreciation for Blake at a celebration of life service held at Blake Field House at Indianola Middle School.

There, they heard the accomplishments: Blake grew up in Indianola and became a two-sport star in football and baseball at Simpson, where he was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981.

He was a two-time First Team All-Iowa Conference performer as a pitcher and was the first IIAC MVP in school

history in 1971. He was an all-conference quarterback for Simpson in 1969 and 1970, and led the College to its first Iowa Conference championship in 20 years and an appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl.

He and his wife, Chris, raised six children, including four sons who also excelled at athletics. Son Casey played 13 years for several teams in Major League Baseball.

This spring, Joe Blake Sr. completed his 31st season as Simpson’s pitching coach. He coached 28 All-Iowa Conference pitchers and helped the Storm to four league titles.

Those are the kind of achievements that fit well on a plaque.

What’s much harder to quantify is the lasting impact Blake had on so many people’s lives.

Aaron Young ’14, a pitcher for Simpson, wrote an article for The Des Moines Register to express his appreciation.

Although Young was an undersized lefty, “he called me a ‘champion’ and told the rest of the student athletic body that ‘inside every one of you is a champion.’

“Joe constantly preached that aspect of sports. You can perform at any level as long as you think you can. For me, I was one of the smallest players on the team, but I was a competitor. Joe enhanced that trait for me. For all Simpson baseball players.”

But it was a Twitter post from Matt Pennings ’15 that expressed the feelings of the entire Simpson community— then, now and for many days to come: “I would do anything to hear him talk just one more time.” n

22 SIMPSON COLLEGE

ERA End of an

THE MAN AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS “COACH C” HAS DECIDED TO CALL IT A CAREER. Long-time Simpson Head Softball Coach Henry Christowski announced his retirement from coaching after the 2015 season, closing a career that began at the prep level more than 45 years ago. The two-time national champion and Hall of Famer retires as one of Division III’s winningest coaches, going 624-212-2 in 20 seasons.

“I hope our coaching staff tries to model themselves after Henry, the success he had and how he handled success.

He is just a class guy,” Simpson Director of Athletics Brian Niemuth said. “I have a ton of respect for him. He’ll definitely be missed.”

A search for Christowski’s replacement has begun.

“I’ve enjoyed the last 20 years,” Christwoski said. “I’ve worked with some great young ladies, some great assistant coaches and great people during my time. It’s been a great trip and I’ve made memories that will last a lifetime.”

Christowski needed just two seasons to put Simpson softball on the map, winning NCAA Division III National Championships in 1997 and 1999 after taking over the program in 1996. During his collegiate career, Christowski won four NCAA Regional Championships, five Iowa Conference Championships and took his teams to the NCAA Tournament nine times. He is a three-time IIAC Coach of the Year and earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III National Coach of the Year honors after leading Simpson to its first national title in 1997.

In 2007, he joined an elite class of coaches with his induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame.

The list of accolades goes on and on, but the always-humble Christowski deflects credit to the players and coaches for elevating Simpson to national prominence.

“I don’t think the success we experienced was because of me as a coach,” he said. “The players, assistant coaches and administration had more to do with that. I was just the person who filled out the lineup card.”

In addition to his success at the collegiate level, Christowski enjoyed a hall of fame career before ever setting foot on campus.

He began coaching in 1969, leading Norwalk High School to a 440-179 mark in 12 seasons. After a seven-year stint at Indianola High School, he won the 1992 Iowa State Championship with West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School while going 272-70 from 1988-95. He was inducted into the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

“One of the things I learned from Henry is that you don’t get too high and you don’t get too low in coaching,” Niemuth said. “You keep moving forward.”

Christowski’s 2015 Simpson team went 31-12 and appeared in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament. He earned his 600th win early in the 2015 season, becoming just the 23rd coach in Division III history to reach the mark.

Throughout his 47 years as a head coach, Christowski went 1,503-631-2 (879-419 at the prep level), a career winning percentage of .704. He coached four Iowa High School Hall of Fame pitchers, 12 NCAA Division III AllAmericans and four Academic All-Americans.

“When I got into coaching I wanted to give my daughters something positive to focus their energy on,” Christowski said. “And I wanted to provide other young ladies with an outlet to use their energy for something positive.”

“For me, I just loved the game.” n

23 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

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C H A P L A I N ’ S

M E S S A G E

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The human experience

BY MAR A LE H E W BAI LE Y ’0 6, C HAP L AI N

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION. AS I LINED UP TO BOARD THE AIRPLANE, A YOUNG MAN IN A MILITARY UNIFORM SAT IN HIS SEAT, WAITING FOR HIS FLIGHT. Behind me, a fellow passenger walking by stopped for a minute to tell this young man, “Thank you for your service.” He recognized the comment with a small nod and a smile.

This is an interchange I observe regularly. In the midst of these brief encounters, I realize that I do not know these service men and women’s stories. I do not know if they are heading out on a deployment, having just said goodbye to family and friends, or if they are simply gone for a weekend of training. But even for those of us who are not active service men and women or veterans, we still feel a call to connect with them, even if it is simply to say, “Thanks.”

While I have not served, I am painfully aware of the stories and experiences veterans bring back with them.

Wounds of war—be it post-traumatic stress disorder, moral injury, or a physical injury—can be a struggle to share with people who have not experienced them.

There can be a stigma attached to the responses to these experiences, and tragic outcomes as a result. The suicide rate among veterans is alarming—22 per day. A particular calling of my personal faith is to ensure that persons are able to bring their whole selves to their relationship with God—even the things we struggle with or feel hopeless about—and find ways to reconcile those things with God our Creator.

It is at the intersection of these two truths (the wounds of war and our call to welcome all faithfully) that brings me to a theme found throughout Scripture: peace.

There are many scriptural references throughout the Judeo-Christian tradition that remind us of our need to work for peace. The Beatitudes offer an alternative look at the ideals of community, and for Christians, provide a guidance or way of understanding as we look to the Kingdom of God, made real here on earth as it is in heaven: ‘ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ –Matthew 5:3-10, NRSV These words certainly encapsulate realities of the human experience, and realities of war. Because of war, people know what it is to be poor, to mourn, to hunger and thirst and to seek peace. But as a world community, we do not yet know what it means to be blessed alongside these other things. As we faithfully welcome and support veterans and the spectrum of their experiences, perhaps little by little we can understand better the need to work for peace in our world. Perhaps we can begin to welcome the Kingdom of God, a reign of peace. n

24 SIMPSON COLLEGE

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EE XX TT RR AA ! !

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N EW AT S MAJ I M P OR S SON

HEALTH SERVICES

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Simpson is excited to announce a new major and minor program that reflects the exploding demand for people with expertise in managing data and information.

The new Management Information Systems (MIS) major and minor will provide a more balanced combination of business-related and information systems-related courses.

Courses will be offered through the Continuing & Graduate Program at the Simpson campuses in Ankeny and West Des Moines.

“Data and information is fast becoming one of the world’s increasingly important assets for all types of organizations,” said Todd Little, director of management information systems and assistant professor of computer science. “The growing capabilities in both organizational structures and technological aspects have increased the importance for organizations to develop a deeper understanding of how multi-dimensional information and knowledge impacts everyday business practices.”

One study showed that employment for people with MIS expertise is expected to grow 18 percent by 2020. Part of the growth is related to the health services industry—another area where Simpson is poised to make a difference (see story to the right).

Little says the MIS program goes beyond computer programming, which Simpson also offers as a major: “It is designed to meet the needs of individuals and organizational structures through the use of information technologies and provides the combination of both technical skills and organizational management.”

Core courses for the MIS major include Management Information Systems; Business Application Development; Project Management; Systems Analysis and Design; Management Concepts; and Applied Statistics.

It is the goal of this curriculum to explore the principles of information systems, learn about the technologies used to support the organizational mission and understand the benefits and challenges organizations face within this time of big data and analytics.

Rosemary Link, associate vice president, praises this development because it reflects the needs of local employers. She hopes alumni will spread the word about the new major and minor—or even consider returning to school if they are interested in a second degree or individual courses.

For more information, contact Todd Little at 515-965-0102 or todd.little@simpson.edu. n 25 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

It began as an idea from Steve Johnson ’81, the president and chief executive officer of CareView Communications and a member of the Simpson College Board of Trustees.

The demand for leaders in the health services industry is surging, Johnson said, and it shows no signs of abating. Why doesn’t Simpson help meet that demand?

The exciting result, announced in September after more than two years of planning, is the Health Services Leadership program, which will include an undergraduate major and minor, a post baccalaureate certificate and continuing education workshops and conferences.

What makes the program unique and visionary is how Simpson and leaders in the health services industry formed a partnership to create an academic program that will meet the changing needs of that growing industry.

“Industry leaders have guided the development of the curriculum and, in doing so, they are contributing to the preparation of the employee pool of the future,” said Jacy Cowden Downey ’97, assistant professor and program director of the Health Services Leadership program. “It’s certainly a win-win situation!”

The partnership includes Simpson, LCS, CareView Communications, WesleyLife, Merit Senior Living, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and Des Moines Area Community College.

“We knew we had to do this differently,” said Mark Juffernbruch, chair of Simpson’s business department. “We had high-quality partners, and they helped us make sure we had a quality program right out of the gate.”

The need for future leaders is great. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.

It’s the variety of those jobs, representing wellness, long-term care and senior living care responsibilities as well as more traditional health-care jobs, that should appeal to students, Juffernbruch said.

“There are tremendous opportunities,” he said. “It’s dynamic. What I think is cool about this program is that it was built from the ground up, and that’s unusual in higher education.” n

MARK J. HARRIS ’85

CHALLENGE ATTENTION, MEMBERS OF THE SIMPSON COLLEGE CLASSES OF 1981 THROUGH 1985: MARK J. HARRIS ’85 HAS AN OFFER AND A CHALLENGE. Here’s the offer: Harris has donated $25,000 to the college, and the challenge is for the five classes to match it. After that, he will donate another $25,000 to be matched, which would produce a $100,000 total donation.

friendships that were easily made on campus have continued on to this day.”

Harris now lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he is chief executive officer of Maxim Management Group, which owns and operates inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals, mostly in rural areas in the South.

“My business has allowed me the platform to create over 3,000 jobs and to treat over 10,000 different patients primarily in rural towns,” Harris says. “Providing these facilities in smaller geographic locations has turned out to be a good niche.”

And now he would like to help build up Simpson. He said his total challenge could be met if each of the five classes gave $10,000. He hopes they could help set an example and inspire other classes to give back, too.

“I thought Simpson gave me a great opportunity, and I wanted to give back,” Harris says. “This challenge is just a way to get more people involved for the future of Simpson.”

What a difference a year can make. Harris only spent one year on the Simpson campus—1981—where he played football, finishing the final two games of the season despite a collapsed lung. The injury eventually led him home to Cedar Rapids, where he graduated from Coe College with a degree in business administration.

Harris also hopes to lend his insights and expertise to the new health services leadership program that Simpson will be offering.

“To help future healthcare students and possibly help direct them in their career decisions would be rewarding,” he says.

“Simpson opened the door for my academic career and motivated me to obtain a master’s degree in health administration,” he says. “My memories of Simpson and

If you are interested in helping meet the Mark J. Harris Challenge, visit www.simpson.edu/markharrischallenge to learn more and make a gift online. Gifts can additionally be made by calling the Office of College Advancement at 515961-1683 or by mail at Office of College Advancement, 701 North C Street, Indianola, IA 50125. n

TECH TREK They helped inflate a hot-air balloon. They made ice cream. They extracted DNA from bananas.

And they had a great time on the Simpson campus.

Through it all, the 36 young women from five central Iowa middle schools were encouraged to consider a future in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

It was called Tech Trek, a week-long event sponsored by Simpson and the American Association of University Women, and it was an enormous success.

This is the first time Simpson has been honored as a host site. Teachers from central Iowa schools nominated middle-school girls, and they spent the week together on campus, with Simpson students and faculty serving as chaperones.

“Carver Science Building was buzzing with robots, computer coding, mathematics applications and neuroscience investigations,” Brittingham said. “The week was filled with new experiences and opportunities for young women in our community to grow, explore and build their dreams for their futures.”

Speakers included several Simpson alumni currently working in STEM fields.

“I was most impressed by the changes we observed in many of our campers throughout the week,” Brittingham said. “Some girls were shy and “Campers learned exciting new skills for reserved at the start of camp, but by the end networking and were thrilled to meet women of the week, everyone had the chance to try from different STEM-related careers that they something new, and those experiences will stick will be able to draw upon as they move through high school and college,” said Jackie Brittingham, with them for a very long time.” n professor of biology.

26 SIMPSON COLLEGE

THE SIMPSON

EXPERIENCE Our students believe the Simpson Experience is worth it. Support them and their many opportunities by making a gift to The Simpson Fund.

Generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends to The Simpson Fund advance the mission of the College and touch the lives of our students in innumerable ways.

Make a gift to The Simpson Fund today at www.simpson.edu/give. n

27 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Names to be Added to

“The Honor Roll of the Names That Live at Simpson” Every five years, Simpson College honors our most distinguished alumni, former faculty members and benefactors by adding names to “The Honor Roll of the Names That Live at Simpson.”

Inclusion in “The Honor Roll” is the highest honor bestowed by the College and recognizes those who have made a significant and lasting impact on Simpson College.

With numerous alumni and former faculty members being deserving of this honor, the selection of names to be permanently etched on the recognition walls at the south entrance to the Pedestrian Plaza was incredibly daunting.

Each distinguished alumni and faculty inductee was nominated by a Simpson alumnus, voted on by a presidentially-selected committee for inclusion on the ballot, selected by an electronic ballot made available to all eligible Simpson alumni and ultimately approved by a vote of the Simpson College Board of Trustees. Benefactors are inducted to “The Honor Roll” when their lifetime gifts to the College exceed $1 million.

This year’s “Honor Roll” induction class exemplifies the achievements and characteristics required to be included in “The Honor Roll of Names That Live at Simpson.” They have touched the lives of not only those in the Simpson College family, but also those beyond the gates of the College.

We invite you to help us celebrate and acknowledge our 2015 inductees at “The Honor Roll of the Names That Live at Simpson” Induction Luncheon on Friday, October 9 at 12:00 noon in Great Hall. Cost is $10/ person. Please RSVP no later than October 1 by calling 515961-1544 or emailing alumni. office@simpson.edu.

THE 2015 “HONOR ROLL OF THE NAMES THAT LIVE AT SIMPSON” INDUCTION CLASS Distinguished Alumni Wayne Carse ’50, founder, owner and president of Carse Oil Company, served on the Simpson College Board of Trustees from 1990-1999 and is an Honorary Life Member of the Board. His name graces the Carse Center as well as the Wayne Carse Athletic Benefit.

He has received the Simpson College Alumni Achievement Award in 1985 and the Simpson College Athletics Double S Award in 1987. In addition, Mr. Carse is a strong supporter of numerous charities in Florida and southwest Iowa and has hosted the Simpson College softball team several years during their spring break trips to Florida.

Mary Rose Main ’53, retired national executive director for Girl Scouts of America, served on the Simpson College Board of Trustees from 1995-2014 and is an Honorary Life Member of the Board. She has hosted numerous alumni events, received the Simpson College Alumni Achievement Award in 1991 and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Simpson College in 1991. She established the Mary Rose Main Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides funding for a female student attending Simpson College who has earned the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.

Ms. Main is devoted to several charities and organizations in New York City including her church, the Union Theological Seminary, the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute and Girl Scouts of America. Her work during her 42-year career with Girl Scouts of America has left an indelible mark on the lives of innumerable young women.

Distinguished Faculty Dr. Joe Moody taught biology at Simpson College from 19762002 and earned the status of professor emeritus. During his tenure at Simpson College, Dr. Moody earned the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1987 and the Faculty Award for Campus Leadership in 2002 along with the Simpson College Athletics Dick Buxton Award in 1992.

Additionally, he played a major role in the planning of the renovation and expansion of Carver Science Hall that was completed in 1993. Dr. Moody and his wife, Barb, are responsible for the founding of the Simpson Guild Concessions at football and basketball games and continue to be active members in the Guild. The Moody family also provides funding for scholarships that students utilize to conduct research projects in biology or biochemistry.

Honored Benefactors Myron and Jacqueline Blank have left a positive mark on Simpson College that continues to touch the lives of numerous performing arts students and the guests that attend performances in the Blank Performing Arts Center. The Blanks were responsible for the lead gift in the 2011 expansion and renovation of the Blank Performing Arts Center, which is named for their parents, Abraham and Theo.

Mr. Blank served as a member of the Simpson College Board of Trustees from 1969-1984, and an honorary member from 19842005. The Blanks had many other philanthropic endeavors including Blank Children’s Hospital, the University of Iowa, the YMCA and the Science Center of Des Moines.

Steve ’81 and Shannon Johnson have had a positive impact on Simpson in a variety of ways. Mr. Johnson serves as a member of the Simpson College Board of Trustees and chairs the enrollment management committee.

28 SIMPSON COLLEGE

As president of Care View Communications, Mr. Johnson has utilized his expertise in the health care industry to take the principal role in the development of the health services leadership program at Simpson College. In addition, the Johnsons provided the lead gift for the construction of the Steven Johnson Fitness Center, which was dedicated in February 2014.

Jim ’54 and Lillian Rydel Reed ’54 have been an integral part in the advancement of Simpson College since their graduation in 1954.

Mr. Reed served on the Simpson College Board of Trustees from 1992-2007 and is now an Honorary Life Member of the Board. The Reeds have graciously hosted numerous alumni events and established the Rydel-Reed Endowed Scholarship Fund at the College. Mr. Reed chaired the Crossroads capital campaign for the College and the Reeds were instrumental in providing funding for construction of the Recognition Walls at the south entrance of the Pedestrian Plaza.

The Reeds are deeply involved with the Scottsdale Community Hospital Foundation, the Lowell Museum Foundation and the Scottsdale YMCA. Dr. Joseph Walt, professor of history from 1955-2006, touched the lives of thousands of students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Simpson College, challenging his students in the classroom and enlightening so many in the Simpson Family to the importance of appreciating other countries and cultures and the importance of travel abroad programs. With a $1 million bequest, the Joe Walt Estate continued the legacy of international travel at Simpson College establishing the Dr. Joe Walt International Education Scholarship which awards more than 40 scholarships each year to help cover the costs of a Simpson student’s study abroad experience. n

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Class Notes Leonard Hines ’58 is retired and living in Hampton Cove, Ala. He and his wife, Benita, recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.

Ernest Carlson ’59 is retired. He and his wife, Janet, reside in Centerville, Ohio.

Frederic Sponsler ’61 is a retired captain for American Airlines and resides in Barrington, Ill., with his wife, Natalie.

Sue Ann Haldeman Ahlstrand ’63 is retired and resides in Denver, Colo., with her husband, Robert.

James Seeber ’63 is a retired associate professor of sociology. He also taught in the undergraduate gerontology program that he helped establish at Northern State University. He resides with his wife, Marilyn, in Aberdeen, S.D., where he is active in local music groups and provides pastoral services as needed in local area congregations.

Kathryn Pickrel Pegelow ’65 retired after 17 years working for the Civil Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

She sang professionally and voluntarily for numerous choirs in Los Angeles.

Kathryn resides in Taylors, S.C., with her husband and son.

Gary Naylor ’68 is retired and resides in Ankeny with his wife, Lois Anne.

Marlys Sherer Vinton ’69 is retired and resides in Indianola with her husband, David.

Nancy Summers Brown ’73 is retired and resides in Brooklyn Park, Minn., with her husband, Steve.

T O U R I N G

T H E

Y E A R S

Nancy Hill ’88 is a doctoral candidate in vocal performance at the University of Houston and resides in Fort Madison.

John Perrin Henderson ’89 is a senior IT analyst for Caterpillar, Inc., and resides in Mapleton, Ill. Shawn Williams Heimer ’90 works in the final auditing department at Northern Engraving in Spring Grove, Minn. She resides in Caledonia, Minn., with her husband, John.

Michelle Nierling Jensen ’91 is CEO for CarePro Health Services and recently completed her MBA at the University of Iowa. She and Mark Jensen ’90 reside in Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Cherri Trusheim ’91, a 1999 graduate of Iowa State School of Veterinary Medicine, was honored in February by the Greater Seattle Business Association Business and Humanitarian Award as New Business of the Year in Seattle, Wash. Her clinic, Urban Animal NW, opened in 2012 with three employees and now has 20 staff members. Urban Animal NW is pioneering a new model of veterinary care, providing economically-priced services with the flexibility of a walk-in/drop-in care clinic with no appointment needed and provides a compassionate and frank attitude towards caring for local cats and dogs.

Tom Galbraith ’92 is director of athletics at Simpson University in Redding, Calif.

Kaylene Pohren ’93 is a research data trials associate for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and resides in Fairfield.

Kevin Cotter ’74 is retired and living in New Zealand.

Marcay Kroeze Hansen ’94 works as a library aide for the Des Moines Public Library.

Carole Roush Ogan ’76 is an accounting executive for Journalistic, Inc., in Durham, N.C.

Shannon Bucknell ’95 is the high school principal for the West Branch Community School District.

Byron Williamson ’78 is president/ managing partner at Institutional Capital Resources in Johnston, where he resides.

Judy Ryan ’95 is an accountant for Marsh and McLennan and resides in Johnston.

Deborah Ivis Borgen ’80 is retired and resides in Bella Vista, Ark. Leila Blackburn ’83 resides in Belmond with her husband, Jeffrey Leden, where she is serving as pastor of the United Methodist Church.

Mary Catlett ’88 is a sales support specialist for American Enterprise/ Americare. She serves as president of the Alta Vista Condo Association and the Urbandale Community Theatre.

Jill Fox ’96 is the director of the Intensive English Language Institute at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where she resides with her husband, Daren Blythe, and their daughter Audrey Fox-Blythe.

Michelle Dirks Anderson ’97 is employed

by United Community Health Center as CFO. She resides in Storm Lake with her husband, Jay.

• Michelle Yeoman ’97 is a research assistant and office manager for Selzer Company in Des Moines where she has been employed for 10 years.

Jessica Shell Ervin ’98 is a self-employed ACE personal trainer in Grayslake, Ill., where she resides with her husband, Chad.

Shawn Ausborn ’01 works for Wells Fargo and resides in Polk City.

Matt Baltes ’01 is a self-employed entrepreneur and resides in Huxley with his wife, Kara.

Kara Van Nordstrand ’01 resides in Des Moines where she works as an event manager for Training Resources.

ALU M N I TR AVE L P ROG R AM R EC AP

From May 29 to June 14, Carl ’65 and Norma McBride Pullen ’66 led a group of 28 alumni and friends of the College to their favorite sites in Germany. The picture above was taken two days after arrival near the home of the owner of the bus company that the group utilized for transportation.

He and his family welcomed the group with a meal from the grill in his back yard.

The following day, the owner’s son drove the group to Regensburg and Munich, where the owner’s daughter helped the group see sights at her University and surrounding area. Next it was off to the castles of southern Germany. The trip across southern Germany included stops at Lindau and Weil am Rhein, where friends of Carl and Norma showed off their towns to the alumni travel group.

The group stopped at Schorndorf, home of Simpson College’s German Semester Abroad Program for lunch at the students’ favorite Thursday night pizza restaurant. Later stops in Trier and Cologne showed off the Roman influence in Germany and the last night’s dinner was in a restaurant in Mainz which is owned and operated by an Iowa native.

Those that travelled with the group experienced the culture of Germany, saw beautiful scenery and most importantly, made lifelong friendships.

Be watching for more information about a 2017 alumni travel abroad program.

Trip pictures are online at http://simpson2015. cnnpullen.com/AllPicturesWS/. n

29 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Holly Erschens Strehlow ’02 is a research health science specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City and resides in North Liberty with her husband, Jeremiah.

Christopher Shaver ’05 works for Wells Fargo in Des Moines as an operational risk consultant and resides in Bondurant with his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Emma (9 months).

Nancy Davis ’03 is a voice teacher and opera singer and resides in Milwaukee, Wis.

Breanna Byers Kreimeyer ’07 is a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa State University and resides in Altoona with her husband, Reid, and son, Rory.

Tarra Rawdon ’03 is employed by Spectrum Health as an athletic trainer physician extender in Grand Rapids, Mich., and resides in Kentwood, Mich.

Tia Nearmyer ’07 is the operations director for America’s Renewable Future in Des Moines and resides in Newton.

Sandy Beattie Vander Weerdt ’03 is selfemployed as a cosmetologist and resides in Runnells with her husband, Josh Vander Weerdt ’01, and their children Kolby, Karson and Hallie.

Skyler Nicholas ’07 works for the Page County State Bank in Clarinda as a relationship manager. He and his wife, Holly, reside in Bedford.

Laina Toliver Edwards ’04 is curriculum manager for the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine. She recently completed her master’s degree in medical education at the University of Iowa and resides in Iowa City with her husband, Matthew Edwards ’04.

Suzanne Barrett Talley ’07 is a creative director for Josephs Jewelers and resides in Adel with her husband, Nick, and son, Barrett.

Jessica Fagen ’04 is a managing partner at Brock & Scott, PLLC, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and resides in Margage, Fla. Matt Haberl ’04 works as a physical therapist and athletic trainer for Gundersen Health System in Onalaska, Wis., and resides with his wife, Robin, in La Crosse, Wis. Sara Leichty Yoder ’04 is employed as a financial analyst for John Deere Construction in Davenport and resides in Atalissa with her husband, Donovan, and two children, Emma and Blake.

Tessa Murphy Cantonwine ’05 is a loan verification analyst in Wells Fargo Home Mortgage’s litigation department in West Des Moines and resides in Urbandale with her husband, Michael.

Tammy Foster Evrard ’05 resides in Chicago, Ill., with her husband, Curtis, and son. Tammy is employed by Brit Media as the midwest director of brand partnerships.

Ryan Hildreth ’05 works for JetBlue Airways as an Embrear 190 first officer and resides in Rockwell City with his wife, Sandra, and two daughters.

Matt Morain ’05 resides in Raleigh, N.C., where he works for Red Hat as a content writer and editor. He is currently working on his doctorate in communication, rhetoric and digital media at North Carolina State University.

Amanda Rigg ’07 works for CDS Global in Des Moines as a client manager.

Neil Bontrager ’08 is a teacher for Pinellas County Schools and resides in St. Petersburg, Fla., with his wife, Corrie.

Amanda Bell Chandler ’08 is an accountant for John Deere and resides in Johnston with her husband, Brandon, and daughter, Isabella.

Chelsea Burns Craig ’08 and Zac Craig ’07 reside in Merriam, Kan., with their son, Layton. Chelsea received her master’s degree in behavioral sciences from Boise State University in 2014 and now works as program director and instructor for the Center for Advanced Professional Studies in the Blue Valley School District.

Katie Wiggenjost Gratz ’08 is a physician assistant at Family Medicine of Mt. Pleasant and resides in New London with her husband, Eric, and son, Emmett.

Alison Jepsen ’08 received her master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Colorado Boulder. She works for Enterprise Management Associates in Boulder as copy editor/research support.

Logan Edel ’09 is the controller at Simpson College and resides in Ankeny with his wife, Kate.

Karla Wood Maher ’09 received her doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2013. She is a dentist at Mount Pleasant Dental Associates and resides in Mount Pleasant with her husband, John Maher ’09.

30 SIMPSON COLLEGE

Imagine running from Simpson College to Canada.

That’s how far Dr. William Morton ’94 has run. He has run at least two marathons in every state—100 in all.

Morton ran track and cross-country at his high school in California, but not at Simpson.

He picked up the passion again after remembering what college had taught him: “You’re never too old to achieve something new and exciting.”

Morton’s original goal was to run a marathon in each of the 50 states, but decided to keep going, despite dealing with melanoma and hip surgery.

Hip problems eventually forced him to retire as a marathon runner, but not before completing his goal. He completed his 2,620th mile on Oct. 13, 2013.

“There is nothing like the feeling you get when you cross the finish line of your first marathon,” he says.

Jesse Reis ’09 is a sales representative for DePuy Orthopaedics and resides in Polk City with his wife, Rebecca.

Katie van der Linden Struss ’09 was presented with the “Ding” Darling Environmental Education Award by the Iowa Association of Naturalists in January for her “Discovery Outdoors’ programs with Genesis Development.

Over the past five years, Katie, a naturalist for Buena Vista County, has worked to expand outdoor and nature programming for Genesis, a non-profit adult daycare program that specializes in providing activities for people with disabilities.

Michael Christiansen ’10 works for DuTrac Community Credit Union in Dubuque as a sales assistant for financial advisors and resides in Mineral

Point, Wis., with his partner, Quinn Huebner.

Ashley Weiland Courtney ’10 is a client relationship manager at Businessolver.

She resides in Runnells with her husband, Jason Courtney ’10.

Sara Crouse ’10 is a performance management coordinator for Life Care Services in Des Moines and resides in Pella.

Lauren Hartman ’10 is employed by Kaplan University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., as an admissions adviser. She received her master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Northern Iowa in 2012 and will be attending the University of Miami this fall to work on her doctorate in voice performance.

Timothy Lone ’10 is a personal service coordinator for Easter Seals of Iowa and resides in Des Moines with his wife, Megan.

Lucas Mihalovich ’10 is a resident physician in family medicine at Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education after completing his doctorate in osteopathic medicine at Des Moines University. He resides in Andover, Kan., with his wife, Jessica.

Heather Weeda Newman ’10 and her husband, Kyle, reside in Lithonia, Ga. Whitney Rasmussen ’10 is the eCommerce manager, digital marketing for Meredith Corporation in Des Moines and resides in Ames.

Renauld Shelton ’10 is an office services technician – corporate event support for Burns and McDonnell in Kansas City, Mo., where he resides.

Mathew Steil ’10 is a deputy sheriff for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and resides in Dakota City.

Allison Ullmann ’10 is a reporter for Lee Enterprises – Forest City Summit and Britt News Tribune newspapers in Forest City.

Jeremy Ward ’10 is a United States Congressional Science Fellow with The Materials, Minerals and Metals Society and resides in Arlington, Va., with his wife, Alexis.

Gabrielle Warren ’10 is an accountant for Albaugh, LLC, in Ankeny, where she resides.

Nick White ’10 works in inventory/ purchasing at Gilcrest-Jewett Lumber Company in Waukee and resides in Des Moines with his wife, Kelsey.

Sarah Crary Gomez ’11 is a chemist at Gelita USA and resides in South Sioux City, Neb., with her husband, Sam, and daughter, Isabella.

Brandon Hebert ’11 is working on his master’s degree in communication studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and resides in Surprise, Ariz.

Kelsey Johnson ’11 resides in Saint Paul, Minn., where she is a community outreach specialist for Women’s Advocates, Inc.

Brian Kemmerer ’13 was recently appointed to the Continuing & Graduate Alumni Board and is enrolled at Drake University Law School’s new Career Opportunity PT/Evening Program.

Meagen Kirts ’13 is employed by DuPont Pioneer in Johnston as a health fitness professional and resides in Des Moines.

Kimberly Kurimski ’13 works as a content manager for Cover Story Media in Albia.

Macy Koch ’11 is marketing manager at Barefoot Books in Cambridge, Mass., and resides in Boston, Mass.

Natalie McCormick ’13 is a marketing coordinator for GuideOne Insurance in West Des Moines.

Emily Ledger ’11 is an administrative assistant II for Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., and resides in Somerville, Mass.

Audrey Morris ’13 is a client process analyst for Businessolver in West Des Moines, where she resides.

Molly Peterson ’11 received her master’s degree in mathematics from Marshall University in 2014. She resides in Hurricane, W.Va., where she is a math instructor at Bridge Valley Community and Technical College.

Gabrielle Shnurman ’11 is working for Stadia Sports Medicine in West Des Moines as a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and clinic coordinator.

Jessica Fox ’12 is teaching first grade at Clark County Community Schools in Las Vegas, Nev. Erin Guzman ’12 recently completed her Master of Divinity at Vanderbilt Divinity School and works with Luke 14:12 as a volunteer and Vanderbilt IMG Sports Marketing as a property assistant. Erin resides in Nashville, Tenn.

Hanna Russmann ’13 is a staff writer for the Spencer Daily Reporter and resides in Spencer.

Shelby Storm ’13 teaches kindergarten – 5th grade special education at Walnut Street Elementary in the Des Moines Public School District and resides in Des Moines.

Emily Stover ’13 is teaching high school social studies for the Laurens-Marathon Community School District.

Logan Wagner ’13 is employed by Todd Hackett Construction Company in Muscatine as a bookkeeper.

Emily Dornbusch ’14 teaches 7th and 8th grade math and coaches soccer at Callanan Middle School in Des Moines and is working on her master’s degree.

Zach Haworth ’12 is a park ranger with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at Lake Darling State Park.

Jessica Mallow ’12 is working on her master’s degree in arts management and certificate of technology in the arts at American University. She is an executive assistant for Washington Performing Arts and resides in Arlington, Va. Madison Boswell ’13 is social media manager at Kendall Hunt Publishing and resides in Dubuque.

Laura Collins ’13 is a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame.

Zachariah Huebener ’13 is working for SHAZAM, Inc., as a software engineer and resides in Martensdale with his wife, Bridgette.

31 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Simpson graduates Jennifer Tyler and Sara Stoddard McManus were ordained as Elders in the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June.

Pictured left to right are Emma McKirdy ’14, Rev. Rebecca Grinager Trefz ’98, Rev. Sara Stoddard McManus ’09 and Rev. Jennifer Tyler ’06.

Heather Eime ’14 is a teacher for Des Moines Schools and resides in Clive.

Matt Nichols ’14 is a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual in Des Moines and resides in Urbandale.

Dillon Thiner ’14 is a consulting group analyst for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in West Des Moines, where he resides.

Aaron Young ’14 is a producer for the Des Moines Register.

Tayler Acton ’15 resides in Downers Grove, Ill., where he is working on his master’s degree in biomedical sciences at Midwestern University.

Heather Adolph ’15 is in the accelerated nursing program at the University of Sioux Falls, S.D. Lauren Anderson ’15 is employed by the Algona Community School District as a 5th grade language arts teacher and will be working towards her 5th - 12th grade reading endorsement at Morningside College.

Andrew Ardueser ’15 works for Epic as a technical solution problem solver in Madison, Wis. Shannon Barondeau ’15 is pursuing her master’s degree in lighting design at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.

Erica Barz ’15 is communications specialist for One Iowa in Des Moines, where she resides.

Emily Magers Bonilla ’15 is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Allen College in Waterloo.

Kelly Woodard Bruett ’15 is an actuarial trainee in data and modeling at EMC Insurance Company in Des Moines.

Dillon Brummer ’15 is a commodity merchandiser for the Lansing Trade Group.

Haley Bryant ’15 is pursuing her law degree at Drake University in Des Moines.

Caitlin Dicus ’15 is attending Butler University in Indianapolis where she is pursuing her master’s degree in poetry and creative writing.

Felicia Dighton ’15 is teaching kindergarten – 5th grade general music for the Ottumwa Community School District.

Alisha Dittmer ’15 is working on her master’s degree in education at Simpson College.

Lauren Doocy ’15 is pursuing a doctorate in applied and computational mathematics at Florida State University.

Kayleigh Eberline ’15 teaches 2- and 3-year olds at Lil Scholars Preschool.

Savannah Ferguson ’15 is employed by Des Moines Public Schools as a special education teacher at Weeks Middle School.

Stefani Freeman ’15 is a business systems consultant for Wells Fargo in Des Moines.

Alison Graves ’15 is a field store leadership development program candidate at Marshalls in Des Moines.

Ginger Hermon ’15 is employed as an admissions specialist by Simpson College.

Natasha Jackson ’15 is employed by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage as a mortgage servicing specialist.

Robert Jiracek ’15 works for Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines as a manager in information technology analysis.

Emma Jones ’15 is employed by Epic in quality assurance and resides in Verona, Wis. Kyle Kedley ’15 is working as a research and remediation manager for Wells Fargo in West Des Moines.

Jordan Kenkel ’15 is teaching English for the Indianola Community School District.

Polly Carlson ’15 is a supervisor for Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines.

Evan Kimberlin ’15 is an information technology application analyst I for The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines.

Casey Coy ’15 is teaching physical education at Whittier Elementary in Indianola.

Stacie Kjellsen ’15 is working as a private nanny and administrative assistant in Missouri City, Texas.

Jeanet Crowell ’15 is employed by Medtronic in West Des Moines as a sales office coordinator.

Kyle Kusy ’15 is an actuary trainee at EMC Insurance Company in Des Moines.

32 SIMPSON COLLEGE

Stefi Lee ’15 works for KGAN as a multimedia journalist and resides in Marion.

Tessa Lengeling ’15 is employed by NextGen Climate Iowa as press secretary and resides in Des Moines.

Marcia Maher ’15 is a legal assistant at Lawyer, Dougherty, Palmer and Flansburg, PLC. Melissa Mann ’15 plans to pursue her master’s degree in biomedical sciences at Iowa State University.

Lauren Martin ’15 is pursuing a graduate degree in marriage and family counseling at St. Mary’s.

Claudia Martinez ’15 works for Genesis Development as community support staff.

Hannah McDaniel ’15 is a 5th grade general education teacher for the Chariton Community School District.

Connor McDermott ’15 is pursuing a degree in medicinal chemistry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Kelsey McLaughlin ’15 resides in West Des Moines and is employed as a tax accountant at BKD, LLP. Alyse Messa ’15 plans to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy.

Elizabeth Mongar ’15 is a business process quality manager for Wells Fargo Card Services.

Tony Moore ’15 is a product analyst for Athene USA and resides in West Des Moines.

Rachel Peterson ’15 is an online editor for F+W Media in Winterset.

Skye Puls ’15 plans to pursue a degree in optometry. She is employed as an interview and outbreak response team member for the Iowa Department of Health and as an immunotherapy technician at Heske Corporation.

Megan Quick ’15 resides in Lenexa, Kan., and is a graphic designer for Title Boxing Club.

Kristen Richert ’15 is working on her master’s degree in public relations at the University of Denver.

Shannon Rohlk ’15 plans to attend Allen College in Waterloo to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Jessica Routier ’15 is an English teacher at Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Junior/ Senior High School.

Jordan Rude ’15 is pursuing his law degree at the University of Minnesota.

Christopher Schaben ’15 works for Concerned, Inc., in Harlan as a site supported community living counselor.

Kathryn Sebring ’15 resides in Ankeny, where she is a receptionist for The Bridal Connection.

Alex Severn ’15 is working on his master’s degree in public policy at George Washington University.

Michelle Stolz ’15 is employed as a 5th grade teacher by the Indianola Community School District.

Ayana Taplin ’15 is a representative for Bright Future Management in Des Moines.

Jessica Taylor ’15 teaches Spanish in the Carlisle Community School District.

Brooke Thompson ’15 is pursuing her law degree at Drake University Law School.

Lauren Tirado ’15 is interning at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as a costuming project analyst.

Conner Uhlman ’15 works as an information technology application analyst for The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines.

Eleanor Weaver ’15 plans to pursue her master’s degree in sports management at the University of Central Florida.

Emma WitbolsFeugen ’15 is working on her master’s degree in vocal performance at DePaul University.

Kelsey Wittorf ’15 is attending Creighton University’s School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb. Brooke Wittry ’15 is pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy at Des Moines University.

Rachel Wollschlager ’15 is employed as assurance staff for Ernst & Young in Des Moines.

Mariah Young ’15 is a marketing coordinator for Dwolla in Des Moines.

Marriages Holly Erschens ’02 and Jeremiah Strehlow, April 26, 2014, Iowa City.

Karen Smith ’04 and Zach Butler, Aug. 2, 2014, Urbandale.

Evan Schaefer ’07 and Elizabeth Langowski, March 27, 2015, Stonebridge Manor, Mesa, Ariz.

Erin Vinnedge ’09 and Russell Newman, Jan. 3, 2015, Spring Hill, Tenn.

Mikayla Marie Palmer, June 17, 2015, to Justin L. Palmer ’03 and Lauren Palmer, Winterset.

Amelia Constance Petrovich, Feb. 23, 2015, to Andrea Diaz Petrovich ’03 and Andrew D. Petrovich, Des Moines.

Charlotte Rose Barrett, Sept. 30, 2014, to Stephanie Schloemer Barrett ’04 and Beau D. Barrett ’05, Des Moines.

Nicholas White ’10 and Kelsey Chaves, Jan. 24, 2015, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Patrick Laurence Butler, June 16, 2015, to Karen Smith Butler ’04 and Zach Butler, Urbandale.

Natalie Anliker ’11 and Darren Bogaards, April 25, 2015, West Des Moines.

Colton Wayne English, May 24, 2015, to Andrew C. English ’05 and Erin English, Carlisle, joins Hudson.

Caleb ’09 and Kelli Herzberg Anliker ’09 with their children, Mckynlee and Keaton (as members of wedding party at wedding of Natalie Anliker ’11 and Darren Bogaards).

Isabella Rose Chandler, April 22, 2014, to Brandon Chandler ’06 and Amanda Bell Chandler ’08, Johnston.

Zachariah Huebener ’13 and Bridget Wiesenauer, March 7, 2015, Martensdale.

Brinley Noelle Chaplin, Dec. 1, 2014, to Joanna Tebbe Chaplin ’06 and Brian Chaplin, Altoona.

Ryan Stumbo ’13 and Jordan Sundblad ’13, July 12, 2014, Newell.

Rory James Kreimeyer, Dec. 4, 2014, to Reid J. Kreimeyer ’06 and Breanna Byers Kreimeyer ’07, Altoona.

Emily Magers ’15 and Ramon Bonilla, June 6, 2015, Waterloo.

Births/Adoptions Kolby John Vander Weerdt, Sept. 21, 2014, to Joshua D. Vander Weerdt ’01 and Sandra Beattie Vander Weerdt ’03, Runnells, joined Karson and Hallie.

Harper Lee Schmidt, Sept. 17, 2014, to Elissia Speicher Schmidt ’02 and Jon S. Schmidt, Ankeny.

Lennon Dean McCulla, Jan. 28, 2015, to Tracie Whitney McCulla ’03 and Matthew R. McCulla ’03, Otley, joined Dana (5) and Sullivan (3).

33 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

Layton Levi Craig, Jan. 2014, to Zachary A. Craig ’07 and Chelsea Burns Craig ’08, Merriam, Kan. Braxton James Fletcher, Jan. 30, 2015, to Trevor J. Fletcher ’08 and Jessica Irvin Fletcher ’08, Bedford.

Emmett Mathew Gratz, Jan. 8, 2015, to Katie Wiggenjost Gratz ’08 and Eric Gratz, New London.

Isabella Jean Gomez, June 9, 2015, to Sarah Crary Gomez ’11 and Sam Gomez, South Sioux City, Neb.

Deaths

Robert D. Ruble ’57, March 9, 2015, Benson, Ariz.

Regina Abbey Larson ’34, April 25, 2015, Atlantic.

Helen Hutchins Whannel ’57, July 22, 2015, Urbandale.

Marjorie Heaton Lynn ’38, April 1, 2015, Boaz, Ala.

James L. Richardson ’58, June 14, 2015, Indianola.

Wilma Nolin Carter ’39, March 20, 2015, Oxford, Ohio.

Dr. Robert W. Shultice ’58, Dec. 18, 2014, Boonville, Mo.

Margaret “Lucille” Hudson Beaman ’40, Aug. 3, 2015, Arispe.

Thelma Martin Galbraith ’59, June 24, 2015, Sun City West, Ariz.

Grace Kokesch ’42, April 7, 2015, Peoria, Ariz.

A. Blaine Kloppenborg ’59, May 24, 2015, Webster City.

Mary Onstot Schimelfenig ’42, May 8, 2015, Norwalk.

Caryl W. McClure ’61, March 4, 2015, Urbandale.

James L. Steiner ’42, Sept. 25, 2014, Omaha, Neb.

John J. Ganeff ’63, May 6, 2014, Ft. Dodge.

Ruth Baughman Wilson ’42, May 6, 2015, Indianola.

Dr. Loren C. Gruber ’63, Nov. 9, 2014, Marshall, Mo.

Louise Squire Rhoads ’43, March 25, 2015, Longview, Wash.

Dr. Leslie D. Strong ’65, July 26, 2015, Ajijic, Mexico.

Grace Saunders Rogers ’45, April 16, 2015, Kennewick, Wash.

Manley C. Hall ’66, Dec. 9, 2014, Lake Mary, Fla.

Wendell A. Fetters ’49, July 31, 2015, Indianola.

David C. Holman ’67, July 29, 2014, Loveland, Colo.

Robert W. Fitz ’50, June 12, 2015, Des Moines.

Karen Hartung Pastori ’68, April 8, 2015, Bellevue, Wash.

Mary McBride Patterson ’50, Aug. 8, 2015, Osage.

William F. Thompson ’70, July 12, 2015, Cedar Rapids.

Carl C. Sandy ’51, June 5, 2015, Indianola.

Jadine “Jill” Nash Starmer ’71, March 27, 2015, Phoenix, Ariz.

Caryl K. Wright ’51, Jan. 28, 2015, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Barton E. Perrigo ’76, April 10, 2015, Mt. Ayr.

Wanda Stout Phillips ’52, March 9, 2015, Round Rock, Texas.

Mark W. Pendgraft ’89, April 29, 2015, Indianola.

Harley J. Corey ’53, March 16, 2015, Whitesboro, Texas.

Curt T. Bolte ’90, July 18, 2015, Ankeny.

Velma Stone Wolf ’53, Aug. 4, 2015, Jefferson.

Dr. Robert W. Embree ’54, June 29, 2015, West Branch.

James P. Killam ’54, March 12, 2015, Elk Grove Village, Ill. Raymond R. Burchett ’57, March 1, 2015, Sun City West, Ariz.

Douglas R. Kalbus ’91, July 25, 2015, Round Rock, Texas.

Gregory S. Wycoff ’94, April 22, 2015, Ankeny.

Nicole Trout Proctor ’97, April 30, 2015, Midland, Mich.

Christopher J. Jermier ’99, June 4, 2015, Grimes.

Dale C. Goodhue ’57, March 24, 2015, Carlisle.

34 SIMPSON COLLEGE

In Memoriam The Simpson community said goodbye to a loyal and supportive friend in June with the passing of Dr. John Farnham ’43 at the age of 94.

Farnham lettered in track, basketball and football at Simpson. He was a member of the ATO fraternity and president of the Simpson student body. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945.

After the war, he practiced family medicine in rural Iowa for 10 years and eventually pursued a specialty in radiology. He moved to Phoenix in 1963.

Farnham served on the Simpson Board of Trustees for 22 years and was elected an honorary life trustee in 1995. His committee assignments included student development, institutional advancement, development, business and finance, student affairs and strategic planning.

It was Farnham’s generosity that resulted in Farnham Galleries, which was part of the College’s Historical Anchorage Project.

Donations are suggested to Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org or the Dorothy Farnham Scholarship Fund at Simpson at www.simpson.edu. n

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C A L E N D A R

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Calendar events are subject to change. For complete details and updates, view the full calendar online at http://events.simpson.edu/calendar/.

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

FEBRUARY

Simpson College Opera: The Child and the Spells 5 Gallery Talk with Artist, Len Davis 5-6 Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Visit 7 McBride Lecture: Dr. Charles J. Wheelan 8 Presidents’ Society Dinner 9 The Honor Roll of Names That Live at Simpson Induction Luncheon

Alumni Recognition Reception

Red and Gold Celebration 10 Homecoming and Family Weekend

Mathematics Visit Day

Fall Visit Day - Homecoming Edition

Open House for Walt Research Library and Simpson College Archives 13 Honor Choir Concert 15 Matthew Simpson Lecture: Rev. Dr. Traci West 15-18 Theatre Simpson: Marisol 16 Business Visit Day 20 Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble in Concert 22 Peace, Love & Simpson 70s Gathering 22-23 Fall Break 28 Natural Sciences Summer Research Symposium II 30 Latino Expo 2015

Choir and Women’s Chorale in Concert 3 Guest Lecture: Marc Hansen and Tom Witosky 4 Watson Lecture: Dr. Tracy Dinesen 6 Voice Symposium and Music Scholarship Auditions

Faculty Recital: Dave Camwell, saxophone 7 Single Reed Symposium and Scholarship Day 8 Chamber Singers in Concert 9 Gallery Talk with Professor of Art, Azyz Sharafy 17 Jazz Ensemble Concert 20 Friday Fall Visit Day 20-22 Theatre Simpson: Noises Off! 25-27 Thanksgiving Break

Gallery Talk with Professor of Art, Sarah Smelser 12-13 Music Weekend 12-14 Theatre Simpson: Knowing Joan 26 Sociology and Criminal Justice Day 26-28 Simpson College Opera: The Marriage of Figaro 28 Opera Event and Scholarship Auditions 29 Sports Medicine and Healthcare Professional Day

2-4

1

DECEMBER 2

6 10 13 19

Instrumental Chamber Music Recital Community Orchestra Concert Symphonic Band in Concert Lessons and Carols December Commencement

JANUARY 12 16

Classes Begin Workshops in Music Education: Peter and Alice Amidon, Presenters 18 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance 28-29 Jazz Festival

35 SIMPSON.EDU/MAGAZINE

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MARCH

5-13 Spring Break 18-22 Instrumental Ensembles on Tour: Kansas City Area 18 Access Simpson (Admitted Student Day - Session 1) 24 Gallery Talk with Professor of Art, J.D. Larson 28 Easter Recess

APRIL 2-3 3 4 5 6 14

Iowa Flute Festival Choral Ensembles in Concert 2016 Senior Art Exhibition Jazz Ensemble in Concert Campus Day Instrumental Chamber Music Recital 15-17 Theatre Simpson: Festival of Short Plays 17 Madrigal Singers in Concert 18 Access Simpson (Admitted Student Day - Session 2) 21 Honors Convocation/Symposium

Symphonic Band in Concert 24 Community Orchestra Concert 30 Spring Commencement

701 North C Street Indianola, Iowa 50125 800.610.6369 l simpson.edu

2015 IOWA STATE FAIR Simpson College took full advantage of a record-setting year for the Iowa State Fair.

Our booth in the Varied Industries Building, staffed by volunteers, was a must-see stop for fairgoers.

Consider: • We had 231 prospect cards filled out by people who are interested in learning more about Simpson.

• We gave away 15,000 magnetic clips that will remind people of Simpson all year long.

• 1,000 special cups were given away to grateful alumni on a first-come, first-served basis.

• More than 5,200 people liked, commented or shared photos from the fair that were posted on Simpson’s Facebook page.

The word is spreading: Simpson is a great place! Pass it on!

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Des Moines, IA Permit No. 5740