CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached to a world that was experiencing great division between economic classes during the heart of the industrial revolution. He was speaking to revitalize the church, but wanted the church to be a place where any and all could hear words of grace. He believed in the transformative power of education, and how access to education could provide someone the means to move forward in society. Education removed barriers that many were experiencing to live healthy and whole lives.

Methodism Spreads Westward

As Methodism spread throughout the West, and especially in North America, Wesley encouraged churches to build up schools and colleges while they were forming communities of faith. Charles Wesley, who authored many Methodist hymns, penned these words:

“Unite the pair so long disjoined, Knowledge and vital piety: Learning and holiness combined, And truth and love, let all men see In those whom up to thee we give, Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.”

It was out of the belief that faith and knowledge complement each other and that once was seen as separate should be rejoined, that Simpson College was born. The faithful Methodist congregation in Indianola sought to answer the call to provide a space for higher education for men and women in their community. And so, in 1860, Simpson College opened its doors. At their recent meeting, the Board of Trustees passed new Mission, Vision, and Values statements. There are six values named as our core guiding principles: Discovery, Access, Citizenship, Belonging, Justice, and Integrity. The statement on access reads: "We extend higher education opportunities to all types of learners, empowering students to pursue intellectual, personal, and professional growth.”

Just as the early Methodists sought to make education accessible, we continue in this work today. The ethos of access is inherent in much of our campus work, and it has been part of our approach since our founding. Access has been at the heart of Methodist higher education since churches worked to begin schools across the country. Engaging the mind is vital to a living faith. Our society is made stronger when EVERYONE has access to high quality education.

This is what we do — when we create innovative pathways for first-generation college students to access education; when we remove barriers for students so that they can meet their learning goals; when we provide supports for a student’s academic, social, emotional and spiritual needs — we are making what has been a proud heritage a lived reality. I love our campus for our commitment to making education accessible. Access for all has been at our core for over 150 years, and it is a value that will serve our society well into the future.