Spring 2021 Magazine by Simpson College

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

Spring 2021

PURSUING A

PASSION PAGE 13

SIMPSON .EDU/MAGA ZINE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A Note from the President As I complete my first full year at Simpson College, I am astounded at how quickly the time has gone and how much has been accomplished! First, let me just thank everyone in the Simpson community who has gone out of their way to welcome me to campus. You have all been so gracious and warm in your invitations to events, Zoom meetings, in-person (but socially distanced, of course) interactions and some wonderful one-on-one conversations. I have learned a great deal and have much on my to-do list from your insights. We continue to be successful in our navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. With one spike in cases in November, we have remained relatively steady because of the efforts of our Crisis Management Team, led by vice president for student development and planning, Heidi Levine. As I write this, we enjoy a very low positivity rate. Our caring campus community continues to protect each other, a testament to our Simpson spirit.

We continue to attract students to Simpson and are refining our recruitment, enrollment and retention practices so they reflect the best of the best. The students and families I meet at our visit days are excited about Simpson and all we have to offer in and out of the classroom. Our future-proof messaging resonates with the students and their families and we are feeling the effects on campus in our enrollment numbers. I invite you to campus to feel the energy yourself. Wear your mask, stay six-feet apart from others but come take a walk. Visit some of your favorite places and just take in the overwhelming sense of optimism and beauty of the campus. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Kind regards,

Marsha Kelliher, J.D. LL.M. President, Simpson College

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

This is Simpson

Faculty Pursuits

Alumni Association

Advancement

Chaplain's Message

Continuing and Graduate

Then and Now

News

Touring the Years

Feature Stories

Athletics

Simpson: The Magazine Marsha Kelliher Simpson College President

Chelsea Grenier Marketing Coordinator

Produced by the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication (OMSC) Cathy Cole VP of OMSC

Jessica Thomas Virtual Media Specialist

Bryan Geelan '07 Marketing Communication Director

Mia Platz Marketing Communications Coordinator

Ellie Walter Senior Graphic Designer

Kenneth Ndzedzeni Website Administrator

Contributing Writers Bryan Geelan '07 Lisa Carponelli Mia Platz

Office of College Advancement Bob Lane '81 Vice President 515-961-1417

Photography Luke Behaunek Jessica Thomas

The Simpson Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication. Send correspondence to alumni.office@simpson.edu.

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

Cover Photo Nathanial Brown Productions

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THIS IS SIMPSON

IMPACT REALIZED College concludes $30.6 million fundraising campaign

On a rainy Saturday morning in October 2019, hundreds of tailgaters gathered in the Hillman Hall parking lot, eager for the day’s homecoming festivities. The crowd looked on as a 40-foot banner dropped from the top of Hillman Hall revealing the figure $20,323,561. The number represented the amount of money raised during the silent phase of Imagine the Impact: A Campaign for Simpson College. Soon after, the College announced an ambitious final goal of raising $25 million by May 31, 2020. Just five months later, the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation and everyone’s plans for the future shifted. Facing an uncertain future, the College decided to extend the campaign. The likelihood of reaching the campaign’s lofty goal was in doubt. But the strength of the ONESimpson spirit wasn’t shaken. On Oct. 29, 2020, just over a year from that rainy homecoming Saturday when it was first revealed to the public, the College closed the campaign after raising more than $30.6 million. ‘‘When this campaign began a year ago, none of us could imagine the impact it would have on our students and on our campus,” Simpson College president Marsha Kelliher said. “Our generous contributors have laid the foundation for us to move forward and inspired us to pursue more ambitious projects, new programs and new initiatives that will allow us to elevate the Simpson experience.’’ In all, the campaign raised $30,682,556. The funds focus on three pillars: physical renovations to Dunn Library and Carver Science Hall, increases to the College Endowment and significant contributions to The Simpson Fund. “To achieve this kind of success during a pandemic is very gratifying,” said Bob Lane, vice president for college advancement. “What this campaign was able to achieve speaks volumes of the confidence our alumni and friends have in the leadership of Simpson and its hopes for the future.” Funds secured during the campaign were used for upgrades in Carver Science Hall, including classroom and lab renovations and new equipment purchases. Future plans include a renovation of Dunn Library, which will house the new home for the College’s teacher education program. In addition to enhancing the physical aspects of campus, Imagine the Impact contributions will increase the endowment, positioning the College to more assuredly face the future. The Simpson Fund – a campus-wide, unrestricted fund for the areas of greatest need – will also benefit from the money raised for the campaign.

Dunn Library

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Campaign kickoff – Oct. 19, 2019

THIS IS SIMPSON

TOTAL RAISED

30,682,556

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Honoring family by paying it forward Alumni board member establishes endowed scholarship to honor parents costs,” Rauch said. “My family would have struggled to pay the entire amount of tuition, room and board without the help of scholarships funded by the generosity of others.” Having retired after more than 30 years with the United States Department of Defense, Rauch was looking to pay it forward. She wasn’t sure how until she visited with advancement gift officer Ken Converse. “Ken asked if I might be interested in establishing an endowed scholarship to honor my parents,” she said. “I knew this would be a wonderful, lasting tribute to my parents and their values.” Barbara Rauch ’72 (second from left) with her family.

As is true for many Simpson College students, Barbara Barker Rauch ’72 was encouraged to attend Simpson by a graduate of the college – her music teacher at Lenox Junior and Senior High School. Simpson only became a reality for Rauch due to a scholarship and work-study grant. “I was so grateful to Simpson for providing a portion of my college

Farmers by trade, Rauch’s parents worked hard to provide a comfortable life for their family. In addition to running the family farm, both of her parents held additional jobs. Her father sold feed and her mother worked as a waitress, school secretary and linotype operator for the newspaper. They also owned a dry-cleaning business later in life and drove school buses until their retirement. “My parents taught my sister, brother, and me the meaning of working hard,” Rauch said. “The Donald G. and Maralyn R. Barker Endowed Scholarship will help the next generation of students. It is incredibly special to honor my parents and the difference they made in my life.”

Endowed funds Endowed scholarship funds can be established with a gift of $25,000 or more from cash or stock (outright or over five years), or through your estate plan. Endowed scholarships can be named for the donor(s) or a loved one with only a percentage dispersed each year for the scholarship, making it possible to assist students for generations to come. To learn how to join Barbara in establishing a legacy at Simpson, contact Ken Converse at ken.converse@simpson.edu or 515-961-1548.

Simpson hosts an annual donor recognition luncheon for endowed and corporate supporters.

CARES Act Tax Incentives When You Give to Simpson College and other Charities in 2021 1. An expansion of the universal charitable deduction for cash gifts

The universal charitable deduction has not only been extended but given an upgrade. The new deduction is $300 for single filers and $600 for married couples filing jointly. This is available to taxpayers who take the standard deduction. This tax incentive is available for cash gifts to qualified charities (but not to supporting organizations or donor advised funds).

2. An extension of the cap on deductions for cash contributions

Contributions to public charities are generally limited to a percentage of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI). The CARES Act lifted the cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, increasing it from 60% to 100% of AGI in 2021. Any excess contributions available can be carried over to the next five years. (For corporations, the law raised the annual limit from 10% to 25% of taxable income.)

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WHAT'S YOUR

PASSION?

Knowing that you are making a difference

Preparing students for the future and whatever tomorrow may bring Ensuring each student has resources to inspire greatness in the world Providing scholarships to help deserving students balance multiple classes without multiple jobs Supporting opportunities for students to flourish through research, study abroad and other hands-on learning experiences

US TOO – AND WE NEED YOUR HELP Scan the QR code with your phone and donate any amount in seconds with your credit card or mobile wallet.

OR VISIT SIMPSON.EDU/GIVE Simpson is a 501(c)3. Check with your advisor for possible CARES Act tax benefits from your donation! S P R I N G 2 021 | 7

FACULTY PURSUITS

can select what they want to buy when they become available. Harrigan said she’s always been interested in environmentalism and even created upperlevel courses that incorporate the concept. One assignment in her senior colloquium challenged students to eat food grown locally as often as possible, then asked them to investigate the origins of their other choices. This exercise illustrates that even organic products can have an often-overlooked negative environmental impact when imported from far away. “When we buy produce from California, even if it’s cheap and tasty, it’s still loaded with petroleum products effectively,” Harrigan said. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fears of shortages to the national food supply, membership at the co-op exploded in early spring. Harrigan took notice of how people changed their buying habits during those early days of the lockdown. “I think it raised people’s awareness about just how much we rely on each other,” she said. Harrigan serves as the volunteer coordinator for the IFC’s satellite pick-up location in Indianola. During the pandemic, she scrambled to find places where members could safely pick up their orders. At one point, she resorted to running the operation out of her garage. In mid-July, the College offered the use of some open facility space off Howard Street, which Harrigan says has been a lifesaver. The move ensured that the relationships between local growers and the community continue to grow. “Food is not a luxury,” said Harrigan. “Getting fresh and local stuff should be as much of a human right as health care.”

Connecting local farms to local tables By Lisa Carponelli, associate professor of multimedia communication CoryAnne Harrigan remembers the first time she heard about a new food distribution program getting off the ground in Des Moines. It was early one morning back in 2008 and it popped up as a feature story on one of the local newscasts. “It promised to connect local food producers with consumers in the area,” Harrigan said. “I was immediately interested.” The English professor looked for more information online about the Iowa Food Cooperative and then talked about it with her

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spouse, Professor Emerita Patricia Calkins. They wanted to support local growers and decided to become two of the co-op’s founding members. Interest in joining the IFC continues to grow since those early days when a handful of producers and shoppers first signed up. According to its website, there are currently 150 vendors with more than one thousand products offered – everything from meats and dairy to fruits and vegetables. There are even personal care products and prepared foods. Items are seasonal, and members

CONTINUING & GRADUATE

A new headquarters Alan Crandall trades the force for the lake Many students come to Simpson College to pursue their passion. For one student, the career journey brought him to Simpson twice. Alan Crandall ’18 first enrolled at Simpson to advance in his law enforcement career. “When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a police officer because of family in law enforcement,” Crandall said. “Simpson has a really good reputation for its criminal justice program and that’s what led me to initially choose it.” After earning his degree, Crandall was promoted to police lieutenant with the U.S. Government. But he didn’t stop there. “Despite my dedication to serving the public, family has become incredibly important to me,” he said. “The pandemic made me fully realize how much I want to be present with my family and it ended up being a great time to explore my options.” One of those options was a hobby Crandall had nurtured since childhood: fishing.

“There is nothing like setting the hook on a giant bass and the thrill of the fight as you reel it in,” Crandall said. “As I got better and better at fishing, I wanted to learn more about the professional opportunities connected to my new passion.” Crandall’s next career move became clear. He wanted to open his own bait shop. Crandall returned to Simpson and is currently studying marketing communication with a minor in management. “Our Continuing and Graduate program is perfect for students like Alan who are seeking a career change or earning a second degree,” said Ignacio Alvarez Jr., academic advisor and director of the West Des Moines campus. “Our wrap-around academic advising and student services give them the assurance they need to succeed.” While leaving public service was a difficult decision for Crandall, he’s confident it was the right choice. “By going back to school, I’ll gain the education and skills I need to not only pursue a new path, but to still support my family and make meaningful contributions in our world.”

Graduate student finds connections through music Tegan Miller follows ‘burning desire’ to conduct Tegan Miller is no stranger to lifelong learning, especially when it comes to music. Her passion for music education first became clear during a chance encounter in high school when she was assigned to be a teacher’s aid for her choir director. Miller received her bachelor’s degree in music education and became a choir director at a local middle school. But she knew she wanted to do something more. “Although I loved my job, I felt this burning desire to do something for myself; to pursue a lifelong dream of performing musical theatre professionally.” She moved to New York City to explore a variety of musical pursuits, including conducting. During her tenure as an assistant conductor of Choral Chameleon, she met Matt Oltman. A resident faculty member with Simpson’s summer master’s program in choral conducting, he encouraged her to enroll. “I value education and feel like we should be

lifelong learners,” Miller said. “I want to always be working on my craft and learning about what I love so much. That’s why I wanted to go back to school.” The nationally-renowned Master of Music in Choral Conducting program at Simpson College provides a unique opportunity for candidates like Miller. The residency program takes place on the Indianola campus for seven weeks in the summer and candidates must complete three consecutive summer sessions to graduate. The summer-only approach is ideal for teachers who want to maintain full-time employment during the school year. Miller is on track to complete her master’s degree in the summer of 2021 and shows no signs of slowing down. Miller recently founded the MTC Music Academy, where she teaches voice and musicianship lessons online and eagerly awaits the return of in-person rehearsals. Miller can’t see herself doing anything else.

“Connecting with people and music have always been a big part of who I am, and I cannot think of a better medium for these two things than choir,” she said. “Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.”

LISTEN UP! Watch Miller

and her ensemble give a stirring performance during the annual Des Moines Choral Festival S P R I N G 2 021 | 9

THEN AND NOW

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THEN AND NOW

Scenes from Simpson College study abroad: Then and now On August 2, 1957, Alan Helland ’59 and David Allyn Jr. ’59 set sail from New York City on the Swedish liner, Kungsholn. Helland was heading to Norway and Allyn was on his way to Sweden. The Simpson College juniors were embarking on a year-long study abroad trip, an idea new to the College. “There was a group called ‘The Scandinavian Seminar’ that put up a poster David and I saw,” Helland said. “We applied and Dr. Joe Walt wrote us a recommendation. We were admitted and our lives were forever changed.” Once in Scandinavia, Helland and Allyn were given the opportunity to live with two separate host families for four weeks each – one rural and one urban. Living with those host families was life-changing. “This was 12 years after [World War II] and the Germans had taken whatever they could from Norway,” Helland said. “Our diet was slim, there was no waste and students told me that some still had nightmares.” From October through March, the students studied at a residential college. Allyn studied modern European history while Helland pursued sociology and cultural studies.

Nearly 64 years have passed since Helland and Allyn boarded the Kungsholn, but the goals of their experience parallel today’s study abroad programs. “The purpose of the study abroad seminar was to stimulate thought and interest in basic problems with which humans are faced as both individuals and as members of society,” Helland said. “By integrating into another culture, I was able to acquire a better understanding not only of my own culture but also of the larger world community. The Norwegian experience has been one of the most formative of my life. What I learned at Simpson was the value of a liberal arts education. The experience I had in Norway was a continuation of that.” Simpson’s modern study abroad program includes five, semester-long experiences abroad, approximately 10 three-week-long May Term abroad programs that change annually and numerous affiliate programs in which students can participate in exchange programs with other institutions. Additionally, Alumni Travel Programs have been offered on a bi-annual basis since 2015.

Visit www.simpson.edu/studyabroad to explore Simpson’s undergraduate study abroad opportunities. Alan Helland '59

Through a generous bequest by the late Dr. Joseph W. Walt, emeritus professor of history, Simpson College is pleased to offer more than 40 scholarships annually to help cover costs of a Simpson College student’s study abroad experience. The vintage photos shown here came from Walt’s personal slide collection. He is pictured here posing with a Chinese guardian lion, otherwise known as a foo dog.

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CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

The smallest bit of yeast

In a commencement speech made at Spelman College in 1980, Howard Thurman delivered these words: “ There is something in every one of you that waits, listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. And if you cannot hear it, you will never find whatever it is for which you are searching, and if you hear it and then do not follow it, it was better that you had never been born... “ You are the only you that has ever lived; your idiom is the only idiom of its kind in all of existence and if you cannot hear the sound of the genuine in you, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls...”

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Thurman’s words here evoke in me a strong caution – there is a part of our living, it seems, where finding (and responding to) our passion is vital. Thurman uses the language “the sound of the genuine” to refer to that thing that is uniquely you. We have to find a posture of openness within ourselves to discover that sound. If we are scared to find it, or of what it might reveal, we will go on living not actually in control of our own lives. Sometimes, those pulling our strings are those who doubt us or don’t support our passionate endeavors. In my many conversations with students and others who are exploring the concept of passion, vocation or calling, we often use the language of waking up or coming alive to our truest self. Those folks I know who work to support their passion (or find passion in their work!) often talk about doing the thing that makes them come alive. One of the parables of Jesus reminds us of the power and impact even the smallest particle can have: “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’” (Matthew 13:33)

The smallest bit of yeast impacts the whole measure of flour. The world needs people who pursue their passions in all kinds of ways. Christian communities often elevate the calling of those who are passionate for serving the people through ordained ministry. And yet, any one of us is capable of using our passion for positive change in our own lives and in the world around us. Passion doesn’t have to be any big thing; it can be something that only a few people might ever see or experience. What matters is that our passion is fully engaged and is a genuine response to our truest selves. Like the yeast of this parable, the impact of our passions isn’t always seen, but the results are always evident in our own lives and the lives of those we are blessed to engage with.

Mara Lehew Bailey '06, Simpson College Chaplain

Feature stories by Lisa Carponelli, associate professor of multimedia communication Photo of Gwen Dickmann Hefner ’07 by Justin Salem

PURSUING A One of the hallmarks of a Simpson College education is the freedom to explore. To uncover your true passion. These alumni not only found their passion — they’re living it.

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Fighting to protect women Cheryl Thomas ’79 fights tirelessly to make the world a safer and more equitable place for women.

Thomas' advocacy began when she left her law firm in 1992 and volunteered at a human rights organization. She quickly realized "deep in her core" that she wanted to fight against the discrimination and suffering of women and girls, both locally and abroad.

She wants to end the violence, abuse and subjugation that happens every day in both rural communities and bustling cities worldwide. Thomas cares as much about a victim in her hometown as she does for one in Nigeria or the Republic of Moldova.

She cites two pivotal moments where a fundamental shift in how people began to think about the treatment of women occurred: The United Nation’s World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in 1993 and Hillary Clinton’s famous U.N. speech in Beijing in 1995.

"I don't have a sense of geographical morality," Thomas said. "I just feel like a global citizen." Make no mistake; she is angry at what some women must endure. “It’s all been driven by my deep passion for ending the systemic inequality women have always faced,” she said. “I’m just mad about it.” The 63-year-old lawyer is the founder and chief executive officer of Global Rights for Women, a non-profit based in Minneapolis. Thomas and her team protect and promote the rights of women on a global scale. Their essential work entails developing laws and training programs that protect women in their communities and building support for equal rights.

ˮIt's all been driven by my deep passion for ending the systemic inequality women have always faced.” Cheryl Thomas ’79

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In both instances, Thomas says that some in the international community began to reframe the idea that women's rights are fundamental human rights and that any violence against women constitutes a human rights violation. While that concept may not seem revolutionary by today’s standards, at the time it was “pretty transformative,” Thomas said. Despite the work that remains, Thomas is an optimist. She says she’s witnessed progress in her nearly 30 years as an activist. She says she wants to dismantle power systems that have done so much harm to so many, especially women. “I believe in leadership,” she said. “Leadership should empower, not power over.”

Nashville bound

“I just want to push my music further and see where it goes. If I can throw a gold record on the wall someday, that would be awesome.” Jesse Allen Stewart '13 Photo Sydney Shae Harp

Jesse Allen Stewart ’13 belongs behind a microphone. You might catch him belting out a song on stage with his band, Jesse Allen, or hear him delivering the latest news and information on his nationally syndicated agriculture podcast, Market Talk. Wherever you are when you first catch his deep and authoritative voice, you can bet you'll notice it, and you'll likely remember it. Stewart spent several years in Mason City, Iowa, working for a radio station as the farm director. That was his job during the day. At night, he’d write music and perform shows with the band. In the fall of 2020, Stewart decided to make a change. A big one. He needed to see how far his music and broadcast career could take him. If you handed him a map, there was only one place he’d point to – Nashville, Tennessee. Like a country music lyric, Stewart took his

“maybe someday” refrain and rewrote it into “now or never.” "I packed up the truck and trailer and said it’s time to go,” Stewart said. With two of his bandmates, Stewart relocated to the town known as Music City. The 30-year-old wanted to live in a place with a thriving music scene, a place where you can just as easily run into a singing legend at the grocery store as you can at a concert venue. He needed to be right in the middle of all that talent. “I just want to push my music further and see where it goes,” he said. “If I can throw a gold record on the wall someday, that would be awesome.” Technology made it possible for Stewart to continue a career in broadcasting despite his

relocation. Everything he needs to produce his podcast and serve as the Farm and Ranch Director for the American Ag Network sits on a small table in his apartment: his laptop, a microphone and an internet connection. After all, working remotely is the new normal for many these days. Since the pandemic hit the United States, nearly all live music events shuttered. Stewart can’t wait to get back on stage and start performing again. He’s taking this time to refocus and book as many shows as he can for the second half of the year, hoping things look better in late summer or early fall. Stewart admits there’s a lot of satisfaction in taking the risk to chase a dream. “I’m just gonna throw my hat in the ring,” he said. “I’m going to bank on me.”

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A passion for fashion Renauld Shelton ’10 has always loved men’s fashion. He credits his mom for “spoiling him with clothes and shoes” at a young age. He even admits he might have been late to a few of his college classes because he didn’t mind getting ready in his dorm room. “I always liked to dress,” he said with a laugh. “Even though I was going to class on campus, I definitely took my time in front of my little closet over in Kresge (Hall).” If you combine Shelton’s passion for style with his studies in graphic design, it follows that he’d start a fashion label in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. With the help of his younger brother, Maurice Thomas III, they started Material Opulence – an online clothing retail store that features Shelton’s designs on t-shirts, hats, vests and hoodies.

ˮWith our products you look good, you feel good and you do good.” Renauld Shelton '10

Renauld Shelton ’10 (right) started Material Opulence with his brother, Maurice Thomas III. 16 |

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“When you see those items selling out, restocking and selling out again,” he said, “I can’t really explain the feeling, but it never gets old.” Shelton considers Material Opulence less of an urban streetwear brand and more of one that’s about lifestyle. He says it’s about selling confidence. “With our products,” Shelton said, “you look good, you feel good and you do good.” When Shelton isn’t busy designing new products, running the website, or filling orders, he’s working at his other job as a public health specialist. Most recently, he’s been responsible for contact tracing COVID-19 infections in and around the Kansas City area. For many entrepreneurs, juggling a separate, full-time job while building their business is the only viable way to start and grow. There is no 9-to-5 workday. They’re maximizing every free moment. Shelton said the reality is “I’m using my day job to support my dream.” Shelton and Thomas came up with the idea for the clothing label back in 2013. Shelton admits there have been “highs and lows” during the past eight years, but things have been going strong for the past year. Recently, Shelton said two Kansas City retailers started carrying Material Opulence in their stores, opening up the possibility for further expansion into the wholesale market. Ultimately, he envisions building a flagship store where customers can come in, try on and experience the brand firsthand.

Inspiring others through style Even though Gwen Dickmann Hefner ’07 struggles with the term influencer, there’s no denying the impact she has on an audience. “That word feels very shallow to me,” she said. “My goal is to inspire people to find their own style.” The 36-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri blogs about home renovation, gardening and entertaining. She is known online and across social media as The Makerista. With nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and a desire to share ideas for beautiful living, she describes herself as “a modern traditionalist who loves color.” She also runs a subscription site called Thrift Club for those passionate about “thrifting” – the repurposing and sharing of great finds at second-hand shops. She remembers leaving campus on the weekends, driving to Des Moines and spending hours looking for any hidden gems at “junk shops and thrift stores around the city.” Hefner studied music at Simpson, her initial dream to become a professional vocalist. But eventually, she admitted that the world of opera wasn’t what she was thinking about most of the time. "Honestly, I woke up one morning and realized my roommate, who was also a music major, would get up every day and she would get on operanews.com," she said. "And every morning, I would go to style.com."

Photo Justin Salem

With graduation quickly approaching and the deadline for applying to graduate music programs looming, she knew she had to make a new plan, and fast. She enrolled in a semester-long program in New York City known as The Fashion Experience. She interned at a high-end fashion label for several months right after finishing her degree. That exposure, combined with a position at a local magazine in Kansas City when she moved back home, helped Hefner leverage her fashion knowledge and marketing talent to build a successful brand. A brand that the national media and other companies are keen on associating with. Hefner says design and renovation projects shouldn’t be about wanting what someone else has, but discovering how to reimagine your own space in a new and different way. It’s not about a price tag. It’s about seeing potential. "I just think beauty can be found everywhere,” she said. “And I'm always searching for that."

ˮHonestly, I woke up one morning and realized my roommate, who was also a music major, would get up every day and she would get on operanews.com. And every morning, I would go to style.com.” Gwen Dickmann Hefner ’07 S P R I N G 2 021 | 1 7

Sharing his family's story ˮIn my heart, I was always going to come back to our operation.” Eric Christensen ’94

Eric Christensen ’94 remembers sitting in a marketing class at Simpson College in the fall of 1991. He still thinks about a question his teacher posed to the students in the room. Professor Mark Green challenged them to think about whether they’d want to sell a commodity or a “differentiated product” – the idea that a business will succeed when a quality good has a compelling and persuasive story attached to the brand. It’s about letting customers know what makes you stand out from the competition. “And I remember that his class started me thinking,” Christensen said, “how are we going to do that?” After graduating from Simpson, Christensen spent three years working for the Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity. While it was an exciting job right out of college, he admits that he instinctively knew where he would hang his hat one day. "In my heart, I was always going to come back to our operation,” he said. Christensen returned to his family’s cattle ranch and farm in eastern Colorado in 1997. Edward R. Christensen, Eric’s grandfather, started the ranch in 1923. The Christensen Ranch raises Red Angus cattle and the website promotes their beef as pastureraised, antibiotic and growth hormone-free.

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Displayed on the landing page is their mission statement, “We believe in transparency, from pasture to plate." When Christensen and his cousin ‘took the reins,’ they wanted to share the story of a fourgeneration family ranch and their approach to land conservation, stewardship and caring for the herd. "These are food animals; they're not pets," he said. "But we also have to take care of them and treat them with the respect and care they deserve." In the last 20 years, the online marketplace has exploded, and so has the opportunity to sell directly to consumers. “We asked ourselves how do we take this product that we produce and go from being in the cattle business to being in the food business,” Christensen said. So, while the commodity is beef, the Christensen Ranch is the brand. The story of the people who live there, work the land, and raise and handle the cattle provide what Professor Green would call a “differential advantage” in a crowded marketplace. “And the fact that we’ve been doing it in the same location for nearly 100 years,” Christensen said, “that's one of the best parts."

Learning through the lens Kyle Yarkosky ’10 captures stories through a viewfinder. His subjects aren't people, but places. And they frequently aren’t listed on any popular travel blogs—the smaller the town, the more remote the location, the better. “Photographing old buildings and rustic spots is so fascinating to me,” Yarkosky said. Yarkosky isn’t a professional photographer per se, although he will work a rare corporate event or wedding if he has the time. He prefers packing his car with camping gear and navigating to some out-of-the-way place. Sometimes he shoots the land. Sometimes he shoots the night sky, a practice known as astrophotography. Living in Austin, Texas, allows him to travel much of the West and Southwest. “I love exploring different geographic and cultural parts of the country,” he said. “I just try to capture that and tell a story in my own way.” When he takes his camera on the road, he says he’s building upon what he gained as a Simpson student. He confesses to a “deep love of learning” about the places people live, the impact they have on a landscape,

and ultimately what they leave behind. He’s photographed abandoned mining towns, historic cemeteries and ghost towns rich with history. “I was able to take a wide variety of classes at Simpson," Yarkosky said. “It goes back to a liberal arts philosophy of having diverse interests in diverse areas of knowledge.” Yarkosky didn’t study photography in college. He majored in exercise science and has spent the last decade in corporate wellness. He currently works for Capital Metro, which is Austin’s regional transportation provider. As a wellness program manager, it’s his responsibility to keep city bus drivers and mechanics healthy and injury-free. While the Albia, Iowa native has sold a few of his images, he decided he didn’t want to make it his career. “I’m always afraid that if I put too much pressure on myself, the passion and the creativity will just go away.”

Yarkosky encourages others to find a hobby or pastime as a means of living a healthcentered lifestyle. “Taking the time to explore your interests or passions or creative side is just an integral part of your overall wellness.”

“I love exploring different geographic and cultural parts of the country. I just try to capture that and tell a story in my own way.” Kyle Yarkosky ’10

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NEW DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

CALL HIM COACH Marty Bell has a proven track record as a director of intercollegiate athletics

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In 13 years leading the athletic department at Quincy University, Bell added 10 programs, grew the student-athlete population by more than 200 percent, raised millions of dollars for facility renovations, increased the department’s visibility in the community and built a culture of success. But you can call him Coach Bell.

ATHLETICS

Bell’s 40-year journey through college athletics can be traced back to a summer job at a basketball camp in his home state of Pennsylvania. He was 16 years old, the job didn’t pay much and it usually required him to perform more odd jobs than actual coaching. But it was there that he caught the attention of a young, up-and-coming college basketball coach named Bill Foster. Foster had just led Duke University to a national championship appearance in 1978 and recently took the job at the University of South Carolina. He wanted Bell on his staff as a student manager. Though already accepted into the meteorology program at Penn State University, Bell decided to pursue his passion for coaching. The rest, as they say, is history. “That little job – that paid $50 per week – turned into every opportunity I’ve had,” Bell said. “I was too young to know it at the moment, but now that I’m here and can look in the rearview mirror, I know that opportunity set the course for my future.”

500 student-athletes is a part of the Simpson College team. And he wants to contribute to the team’s success. “We can make a big difference,” he said. “When you have a group of student-athletes of this size, it has the potential to dictate the culture of the campus in a positive way. When you have vibrant athletic programs that are winning and producing great alumni, that impact is felt across the entire campus.” Though decades have passed since his summer camp days in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Bell’s core values haven’t changed. The same, roll-up-your-sleeves approach he used to get a job as a student assistant coach still serves him to this day. “I can tell you this: I’ll work my tail off, I’ll be loyal and I’ll operate with the utmost integrity. We will not fail.”

The position at South Carolina led to assistant coaching jobs at Lock Haven University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Drake University. His first head coaching break came at NCAA Division II Quincy in 2003, where he spent the next 14 seasons. He became the second-winningest coach in program history, going 240-168 while guiding the Hawks to five NCAA Tournament appearances. Four years into his time at Quincy, he took over as director of intercollegiate athletics in addition to his coaching duties. He held both roles until retiring from coaching in 2017. When his wife, Julie – who he met while coaching at Drake – took a job at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines to be closer to family, Bell started looking for opportunities outside of Quincy. His options were relatively limited because he knew he needed to work in intercollegiate athletics. As luck would have it, a week after Julie made her way to central Iowa, Bell saw the posting for director of athletics at Simpson. It was the right time, the right place and most importantly, the right opportunity for a person who values a good fit above all else.

“I’ve always been a coach and that’s how I approach the job of athletic director,” said Bell, who was hired as the director of intercollegiate athletics at Simpson College in January 2021. “Instead of coaching players, I’m coaching the coaches. The coaches are my team and I have to find roles for everyone. I have to make sure everyone is contributing to the goals of the team.”

“From the minute I walked on campus to the minute I left, I had this wonderful feeling,” Bell said of his interview. “The people are what sold me. They’re passionate, they care and they’re invested. That matters to me.” Possessing an authentic coaching mentality, Bell firmly believes that team success comes before individual accolades. His approach as director of intercollegiate athletics reflects that mindset. The department of more than

“The people are what sold me. They are passionate, they care and they’re invested. That matters to me.” Marty Bell, director of

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ATHLETICS

Taking the A-R-C by storm Women’s tennis star wins conference title after two-year hiatus In her first season with the Simpson College women’s tennis team, junior transfer Anna Wanek dominated the competition in the American Rivers Conference. She posted a perfect 14-0 singles record, won the league tournament and earned conference MVP honors. While her accomplishments on the court during the fall 2020 season were impressive – she is Simpson’s first conference MVP in women’s tennis since 1996 – they become more impressive when considering what she did on the tennis court the previous two seasons. Which was nothing. Nothing at all. The last time she played competitive tennis was her senior year at Dowling Catholic High School. Wanek transferred to Simpson from NCAA Division II Minnesota State University–Mankato, where she was a member of the basketball team. The time commitment required to play a scholarship sport at the Division II level didn’t provide the freedom to compete in more than one sport. “I started missing tennis right away,” Wanek said. “I brought my tennis racquet and balls with me to be able to go out and hit with friends when I wasn’t at basketball practice.” Wanek transferred for two primary reasons. She wanted to be closer to her family. And she wanted to play multiple sports. At Simpson, Wanek follows her passion for both tennis and basketball. “The best decision I have made so far in my life is enrolling at Simpson,” she said. “I will never regret this choice.”

Photo Corinne Thomas '21

Men’s cross country reaches new heights

Jenna Taylor surpasses 1,000 points

The Simpson College men’s cross country team raced to new heights in 2020 as the team finished third at the American Rivers Conference Championships, its best finish since 1990.

Simpson College women’s basketball senior Jenna Taylor reached the 1,000-point milestone in a win against Coe College on Jan. 30 in Cedar Rapids.

Three Storm runners earned all-conference honors at the season-ending meet on Nov. 7, the most by the program since 1988. Sophomore Spencer Moon led the pack with a fourth-place finish followed by senior Harry Dudley in 10th and sophomore Eric Baldus in 12th.

The Creston, Iowa native entered the game just 12 points shy of 1,000. She reached the milestone with a 3-pointer late in the second quarter, finishing with 16 points in the 78-68 Storm win.

Due to COVID-19, NCAA Division III leadership canceled national championships for fall sports.

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A first team all-conference performer and Academic All-American during her career, Taylor is the 17th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points.

NEWS

Lunch and Learn with NASA Simpson student and professor share innovative ideas with NASA scientists Ethan Madden has a standing invitation to visit the astrobiology lab at the NASA headquarters the next time he travels to Florida. The junior biology major and assistant biology professor Aswati Subramanian took part in NASA’s Lunch and Learn program late in the fall 2020 semester. Madden presented his model that utilizes coral-like structures to convert greenhouse gases to useful, non-toxic substances such as sugar. The idea is feasible, but the technology doesn’t yet exist to put his model into practice. NASA wasn’t interested in the practicality of Madden’s model, though. The astrobiologists on the virtual call were interested in how he came up with the idea. They wanted to know how he was challenged to combine principles from different disciplines to create such a unique concept.

boundaries,” Madden said. Subramanian’s portion of the presentation focused on the teaching side. How can educators get students to think innovatively? “I talked about how we can make students feel uncomfortable so they can think outside of the box,” she said. “Highly motivated students, when given a project, have a specific goal and want to do well. That can be restrictive in many ways. Instead, we have to tell them there are no limits. They can do anything.” Subramanian’s connections opened the door for the meeting. Before joining the faculty at Simpson, she published papers and ran experiments for NASA. She stayed in touch with one of the research scientists, who expressed an interest after a casual conversation.

The answer? In a nutshell, the challenges provided by the liberal arts education students get from Simpson College.

“I didn’t say it with any intention,” Subramanian said. “We were just generally talking about science and I said ‘I’m teaching this class as well.’ ”

The idea for Madden’s model came out of a May Term class he took with Subramanian on biomimetic design and how it can contribute to a more sustainable future. Translated, the class focused on how humans can design processes and structures based on those found in nature to solve problems. The interdisciplinary course – now part of the SC Honors program – combines the areas of biology, architecture and design. It welcomes majors from across campus.

A few months later, a scientist from NASA’s astrobiology program reached out to learn more about Subramanian’s class and how it combined biology and art. An invitation to the Lunch and Learn session followed.

“My presentation to NASA focused on the concepts of biomimicry and bio-design and how they help promote innovation and push

Madden said the discussion went well. A few scientists even had suggestions for how to promote his coral idea. “I thought it was interesting how these people in really high-up places could still take inspiration from a third-year undergraduate,” Madden said. “They really liked the things we had to say.”

Ethan Madden (left) presented his sustainability model to NASA, made possible by the connections of professor Aswati Subramanian (right).

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New cabinet members join leadership team

Philip Peña joined the College on Nov. 2, 2020 as senior vice president for business and finance. With more than 25 years of financial, technological, administrative and management experience, Peña has worked in higher education as a chief financial officer, chief information officer, treasurer and vice president of administration. Prior to entering higher education, Peña had a successful career as a business and technology consultant serving Fortune 500 and 1,000 clients in addition to numerous small- and medium-sized businesses. He has also taught at both Purdue University and Sawyer College. In addition, he is a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer working as an evaluator, consultant, multi-location reviewer and financial and non-financial panelist. “We are thrilled to bring someone of Phil’s caliber and experiencelevel to campus,” president Marsha Kelliher said. “He was by far the most qualified candidate and came to us with incredible references from past employers and colleagues around the country. He has accomplished a great deal and we are looking forward to working with him on opportunities we see at Simpson.”

Leigh Mlodzik joined the College on March 31, 2021 as vice president for enrollment. Previously the dean of admission at Ripon College, Mlodzik has been tasked with completing the seamless implementation of Simpson's partnership with enrollment management strategist EAB, creating a new tuition leveraging strategy and building a culture of recruitment and retention at the College. A Ripon graduate, Mlodzik began his career as an admissions counselor at his alma mater before rising to the dean of admission, a position he held for nine years. “We are excited that a professional with Leigh’s skills and leadership abilities has joined the Simpson team,” president Marsha Kelliher said. “As we face the challenges of recruiting, admitting and retaining students in this highly competitive marketplace, Leigh’s experience will serve us well. He has a broad knowledge in recruitment, enrollment, financial aid and transfer strategies for students of all backgrounds. His expertise in recruitment and enrollment, tuition leveraging and discount strategies particularly aligns with the Simpson mission.”

Legends of Simpson Lecture Series available online The popular Legends of Simpson Lecture Series featuring some of the College’s most beloved emeriti faculty is now available to view on the Simpson College website. All five installments can be viewed in their entirety at www.simpson.edu/LegendsOfSimpson. The series began in January 2021, providing a platform for legendary faculty to present on thought-provoking topics of importance to them. Joe Moody, Fred Jones, John Epperson, Pat Singer and Bruce Haddox all took part in 45-minute lectures via Zoom for hundreds of former students. The five presenting faculty combined for nearly two centuries of service to Simpson College.

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Education alumna turns garage into library for kindergarteners In a year that was so difficult for so many, Amy Rowe ’12 put smiles on the faces of her kindergarten class at Waukee Community School District when she turned her garage into a makeshift library following a semester of online learning. In an effort to keep her students engaged over winter break, Rowe invited her students to ‘check out’ books from her own expansive collection of more than 2,000 pieces of literature. It was the first time Rowe and her students met in person. The rewarding experience was beneficial to both the students and their teacher, who experienced multiple setbacks during the year. In addition to the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rowe lost her husband, Scott, to cancer in June. In November, her mother-in-law suffered a stroke. And her father was hospitalized with heart trouble. “This whole year has been traumatic,” Rowe said. “I thought the world – or at least my kindergarteners – needed something good.”

College factors prominently into national rankings Simpson College consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the country and the past year was no different. Simpson earned national accolades from numerous organizations across the country, including U.S. News & World Report, Money magazine and Washington Monthly. U.S. News & World Report recognized Simpson among the top national liberal arts colleges in the country in its 2021 Best Colleges rankings. Simpson ranked 149th overall and 51st on social mobility, which indicates how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. U.S. News & World Report also recognized Simpson as one of the top online bachelor’s degree programs in the country. According to the 2021 Best Online Programs rankings, Simpson jumped 64 spots from

last year’s rankings to tie for No. 144 overall, No. 53 among private colleges and No. 2 in the state of Iowa. Money magazine’s 2020 Best Colleges for Your Money report ranked Simpson No. 17 among small, private colleges and universities in the Midwest. The list identifies institutions based on the quality of education, affordability and outcomes. Washington Monthly solidified Simpson’s position as one of the elite schools in the nation for civic engagement with a No. 3 national ranking in its Best Colleges for Student Voting list. The ranking, released ahead of the 2020 general election, is largely a product of Simpson’s 87.4 percent voter registration rate in 2018.

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TOURING THE YEARS

In an effort to be better stewards of our resources, we have transitioned to an online platform for our Class Notes portion of Touring the Years. We invite you to visit simpson.edu/classnotes to view the accomplishments of our alumni. If you wish to receive a printed copy of Class Notes, please contact andy.english@simpson.edu.

Marriages

Robert Williams, Jr. ’73 and Karen Katen, Sept. 14, 2019, Deep River, Connecticut.

Grant Thomas ’12 and Juliana Pearson ’12, Apr. 25, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa.

Bradley Van Ee ’91 and Deborah Tossberg, Dec. 25, 2020, Woodinville, Washington.

Mandi Deutsch ’14 and Alex Stein, June 19, 2020, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Lyndsey Doonan ’04 and Sean Smith, Oct. 3, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa.

Annie Fullas ’14 and Alex Chechik, Oct. 3, 2020, Silver Springs, Maryland.

Amanda Mackey ’12 and Joshua Boss, Nov. 5, 2020, Stillwater, Minnesota.

Matt Burrell ’17 and Cassandra Reisen ’18, Oct. 3, 2020, Adel, Iowa.

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Triston Twedt ’17 and Rebecca Jensen ’17, Sept. 6, 2020, West Des Moines, Iowa.

To submit accomplishments and updates to be included in future editions, visit simpson.edu/ alumni/update.

TOURING THE YEARS

Births/Adoptions Mara Davis ’55, Oct. 31, 2020, Yorba Linda, California. Bonny Rierson Schoolmeester ’56, Aug. 21, 2020, Loveland, Colorado. Judith Hommer Newbury ’60, Oct. 6, 2020, Waukee, Iowa. Izola Fielding Storm ’60, Jan. 24, 2020, Earlham, Iowa.

Fira Jordan Ankeny Vriezelaar, Aug. 26, 2020, to Ellie Ankeny ’06 and Blaine Vriezelaar Des Moines, Iowa.

Cameron Michael Craig, Feb. 11, 2020, to Alicia Goetz Craig ’14 and Tyler Craig ’14, Altoona, Iowa.

Rose Frazier Bowery ’62, Dec. 3, 2020, Shenandoah, Iowa. Harris Coggeshall ’63, Aug. 29, 2020, West Des Moines, Iowa. James Kelley ’63, Oct. 8, 2020, Northbrook, Illinois. Gary Lucas ’63, Sept. 22, 2020, Indianola, Iowa. Floyd Jones ’66, Aug. 12, 2020, Shenandoah, Iowa. Thomas Heabel ’67, Dec. 28, 2020, Naples, Florida.

Flynn Moffitt, Feb. 19, 2019, to Beriet Bichel Moffitt and Matt Moffitt, Williamsburg, Iowa. Joins brother, Oliver.

Benson Drucker, May 13, 2020, to Tiffany Torno Drucker ’14 and David Drucker ’14, Clive, Iowa. Theodore Mayes, July 10, 2020, to Sara Miller Mayes ’16 and Andrew Mayes ’16, Windsor Heights, Iowa.

In Memoriam Robert Farr ’46, Apr. 25, 2020, Ames, Iowa.

Walt Louis Busby, Nov. 15, 2020, to Cal Busby ’09 and Jamie Elbert Busby ’13, Indianola, Iowa. Joins brother Gus.

Jean Liggett Burnham ’47, Sept. 6, 2020, St. Paul, Minnesota. Dorothy Berka Dudley ’48, Sept. 30, 2020, Indianola, Iowa. Russell Long ’49, Dec. 10, 2020, Indianola, Iowa. Robert Keller ’50, Oct. 29, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa. Mary Ann Peterson Larimer ’50, Sept. 14, 2020, Arroyo Grande, California. Rosalene Corbus Zike ’50, Nov. 17, 2020, Pacifica, California. Irma Lou Hamilton Day ’51, Sept. 23, 2020, San Jose, California.

Alder Marvin Morris, May 2020 to Elyse MacDonald Morris ’11 and Kyle Morris, Indianola, Iowa. Joins big brother, Augie (5).

Margaret Rockholz Devine ’51, Nov. 7, 2020, Firth, Nebraska. Ted Williams ’51, Jan. 15, 2021, Altoona, Iowa. Donald Frank ’53, Dec. 14, 2020, Indianola, Iowa.

Andrea Youngstrom Sherman ’68, May 11, 2019, Omaha, Nebraska. Cynthia Houghan ’70, Jan. 13, 2021, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Edwin Pace ’72, Oct. 29, 2020, Indianola, Iowa. Leonard Belas ’73, Jan. 1, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa. Allen Feightinger ’76, Dec. 26, 2009, Bethesda, Maryland. Kent Freese ’76, Dec. 19, 2019, Durango, Colorado. Arschel Morell, Jr. ’78, Dec. 11, 2020, Baltimore, Maryland. Sally Bouslog Davey ’80, Nov. 13, 2020, Kimberling City, Missouri. Lynne Langel Rihner ’87, Oct. 18, 2020, Denison, Iowa. Shane Rowse ’88, Sept. 17, 2020, Kansas City, Missouri. Mark Vetter ’89, June 28, 2020, Clive, Iowa.

Faculty and Staff Dr. Jack Carter, March 10, 2020, Silver City, New Mexico. Clarence Key, Jr. ’77, Aug. 30, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa. William Pendgraft ’55, Nov. 28, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa.

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