Fall 2021 Magazine

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

Fall 2021

CONSTRUC TING A C U LT U R E O F

RESEARCH PAGE 14

SIMPSON .EDU/MAGA ZINE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Decades of Discovery This edition of The Simpson Magazine offers compelling accounts of our rich history and continuing innovation in student-faculty research at Simpson College. You will surely beam with pride as you read about the transformative impact these experiences have had on generations of Simpson alumni and certainly today’s students. My bet is that most, if not all of you, know exactly what I’m talking about.

The research opportunities we offer go light years beyond beakers and Bunsen burners. Virtually every discipline taught here comes with exciting possibilities for in-the-field investigation and discovery. It’s especially thrilling to see how faculty are collaborating to create interdisciplinary projects that provide students with real-world experience in problem-solving, as they learn how to contribute and excel in a team environment.

Take for example Derek Lyons ’07 and Ryan Skaar ’17. The professor-to-student duo took what began as a research project in Carver Science Hall and built a budding startup receiving national attention (page 16). Or Brady Spangenberg ’04, who uses his background in English and religion to research global agricultural trends for multinational chemical company BASF (page 19).

2 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

What our students gain through unique, often multiple, research experiences is precisely what the nation’s top graduate schools and employers desire. So, we continue to push forward to new frontiers in student-faculty research.

Having learned so much about the amazing research that happens every year at Simpson, I’m eagerly anticipating the chance to experience my first Research and Creativity Symposium next spring – live and in-person! In the meantime, I look forward to continuing my own journey of collaborative exploration and discovery in our quest to lead this great College to new heights of distinction.

Happy reading, everyone!

Kind regards,

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04

08

12

24

06

10

14

28

07

11

20

29

This is Simpson

Faculty Pursuits

Alumni Association

Coming out of Covid

Then & Now

Continuing and Graduate

Chaplain's Message

08

News

Advancement

Feature Stories

Touring the Years

Athletics

10

14

20

Simpson: The Magazine Marsha Kelliher Simpson College President

Jessica Thomas Virtual Media Specialist

Produced by the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication (OMSC) Roger Degerman VP of OMSC

Kenneth Ndzedzeni Website Administrator

Bryan Geelan '07 Marketing Communication Director

Contributing Writers Andy English '05 Bryan Geelan '07 Mia Platz

Contributing Designers Leslie Byars Diehl '03 Ellie Walter Photography Luke Behaunek Jessica Thomas Office of Alumni Relations Andy English ’05 Director 515-961-1547

Office of College Advancement Bob Lane '81 Vice President 515-961-1417 The Simpson Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication. Send correspondence to alumni.office@simpson.edu.

FA L L 2 021 | 3

Students present research at the 2013 Research and Creativity Symposium.

THIS IS SIMPSON

A history of research Pat Singer and Ron Warnet receive a research grant to work with 7-10 students over three summers

1986 Ron Warnet is the inaugural winner of the Distinguished Faculty Research award 4 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

1989

The first Summer Research Symposium is held

2002

2008

Simpson hires its first full-time grant writer

The Dr. Albert H. and Greta A. Bryan Summer Research Program in Mathematics begins

THIS IS SIMPSON

When Ron Warnet joined the faculty at Simpson College in 1969, he had a vision.

Originally from New Jersey and fresh off finishing his doctorate from the University of Nebraska, Warnet wanted to build a research component into the chemistry department. At the time, little research was taking place on campus. But he knew he could become a better teacher if he was exposed to the profession on a larger scale.

And he knew students would benefit from a research experience that transformed them from consumers of information to creators of information.

The first Research and Creativity Symposium came as a result of more than 20 years of small steps to increase the role of research at Simpson.

In 1989, Warnet and former professor Pat Singer received a grant from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. The grant allowed Warnet and Singer to conduct research with 7-10 students over multiple summers. Though the grant was relatively humble in its scope, it was significant in that it paved the way for additional grants.

It helped create a culture of research at the college.

Fast forward to today and Warnet’s vision has become reality.

Research takes place across campus, in all departments – not just in the sciences. A staple of the institution, research has become a vital part of the liberal arts education all students receive.

Warnet noticed a change in the students who took part in research.

“Students become much more confident and self-assured because they see themselves in a whole different light,” Warnet said. “They become a participant in the culture of their area of study.”

“For all of us, good teaching and research go hand-in-hand,” said John Woell, senior vice president and academic dean. “We need to be current in our fields and actively pursuing new avenues of scholarship to provide the very best experience to our students in and out of the classroom. Faculty can also engage students in the research experience, giving them opportunities that might not be available at larger institutions.”

Many Simpson students have immersed themselves in their subject matter, both during and after their Simpson careers.

Stephen Henrich ’13, for example, started researching as an undergraduate. Now, the MD-Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University is part of a team making strides in prostate cancer treatment. Recent graduates Kathryn Hays ’20 and Paige Bendt-Wake ’20 were chosen to present research at national conferences in 2020. Bendt-Wake was selected to present her research on gaslighting at the inaugural Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium hosted by Johns Hopkins University. Hays was invited to present her research on disinformation campaigns at the Council on Undergraduate Research

Simpson’s research emphasis is put on full display during the annual Research and Creativity Symposium. Held every spring since 2010, the all-campus event allows students and faculty to celebrate the work that’s taken place over the academic year.

Delivery methods include oral presentations, poster presentations and class panels. Despite taking place virtually due to COVID-19, the 2021 symposium featured 41 individual and group presentations.

confidence, they move from being a student of knowledge to being a creator of knowledge. That’s a whole different ballgame."

Ron Warnet Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C. The biggest benefit of students engaging in research – of diving into a subject, creating hypotheses, testing the outcomes and taking ownership of the process – is the unshakable confidence that grows throughout the process.

“People change when they feel confident, when they know they have something to share,” Warnet said. “When [a student] has that confidence, they move from being a student of knowledge to being a creator of knowledge. That’s a whole different ballgame.”

Simpson establishes the Riley Research Farm, a partnership between the Robert Riley family and Simpson College for environmental research

The first all-campus Research & Creativity Symposium is held, open to all disciplines

2010

"When [a student] has that

2011 The school receives an environmental research grant from global food corporation, Cargill

2014

2021 The all-campus Research & Creativity Symposium is held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic FA L L 2 021 | 5

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

SAVE THE DATE

MARCH 3- 6, 2022

Theatre Simpson ’70s Reunion Relive the 1970s with Theatre Simpson! Join fellow 70s Theatre Simpson alumni for a weekend to reconnect with classmates, honor those we’ve lost and reinforce the strength of Theatre Simpson as a foundation in our lives.

Interact with the current members of Simpson Productions and take in their performance of Guys and Dolls on Saturday, March 5.

For a complete schedule and to register, visit simpson.edu/TheatreSimpsonReunion.

Matt DeWolf takes helm of Simpson College Alumni Association Matt DeWolf ’03 is the new president of the Simpson College Alumni Association.

DeWolf will lead the Simpson College Alumni Association Board of Directors for a two-year term followed by a one-year appointment as past-president. He took the helm at the Oct. 24 Alumni Board Annual Meeting.

A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, DeWolf earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in both English and journalism and mass communications in 2003. While at Simpson, he took part in student media as a member of both The Simpsonian and KSTM Radio. He was also a letterwinner and academic all-conference performer for the Storm baseball team. He’s a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was president of ATO during his Simpson tenure.

6 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

Immediately following graduation, DeWolf served as the director of marketing for the Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity. In April of 2008, he founded content marketing company MK Quinn Media, Inc. As the company’s CEO, DeWolf develops content strategy and helps organizations better tell their stories across all media channels.

In 2020, DeWolf co-founded The Board Builders, a resource that provides on-demand video training resources, coaching and an online community to help build better nonprofit governing boards. The Board Builders guides governing boards and their members to improve governance – both in terms of performance and experience.

A member of the Simpson College Alumni Board for six years, DeWolf was instrumental in developing the Twin Cities Alumni Chapter. As

Chair of the Leadership Committee of the Twin Cities Chapter, DeWolf showcases his ability to manage, engage and lead.

DeWolf is excited to focus the Simpson College Alumni Association Board of Directors’ efforts on the high-impact areas of admissions and recruitment, student career exploration and internships, and alumni engagement.

“I’m a big believer in giving back to the organizations that help shape you,” DeWolf said. “Simpson had a tremendous amount of influence on who I am today. I’m honored to serve as president and am looking forward to helping our alumni association really focus on the areas where we can have the most impact.”

DeWolf resides in Plymouth, Minnesota with his wife, Kacie Sweeney DeWolf ’03 and three children, Quinn, Reese and Asher.

1

GETTING BACK TOGETHER While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter our everyday lives, the Simpson College community has found ways to get back together safely and responsibly.

2 3

1. 2020 and 2021 Commencement Ceremony 2. Simpson Night at the Iowa Cubs 3. Move-In Day 4. Simpson Day at the Iowa State Fair 5. Warren County Fair

4

6. Simpson Cup Alumni Golf Outing 7. Master of Music in Choral Conducting Commencement 8. Back Together Block Party 9. Homecoming

6

5

9

7

8

FA L L 2 021 | 7

FACULTY PURSUITS

A New Way of Doing Things Chad Timm ’95 uses popular culture to connect with students Deontology and utilitarianism are competing philosophical theories. Deontology refers to the idea that humans should follow set rules to determine right from wrong. Utilitarianism refers to the idea that people make decisions to benefit the greater good.

These philosophical theories – like most aspects of philosophy – are abstract and complex. Without concrete examples and realworld application, the theories can be difficult to grasp.

How can a teacher or professor break down these theories for their students? If you ask Chad Timm ’95, the answer is simple: popular culture.

Let’s look at the theories of deontology and utilitarianism using a pair of popular superheroes.

Batman is a superhero who follows a strict set of principles. Batman doesn’t kill his enemies because doing so would go against his principles, an application of deontology.

Deadpool, another superhero, takes a different approach. He doesn’t hesitate to kill his enemies because of the potential future benefits, an application of utilitarianism.

“These concepts are abstract and hard to wrap your brain around,” Timm said. “So over the years I have used pop culture – whether it’s

"Over the years I have used pop culture – whether it’s films or graphic novels or comic books – as a concrete connection to an abstract concept.”

Chad Timm ’95

8 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

films or graphic novels or comic books – as a concrete connection to an abstract concept.”

An associate professor of teacher education and chair of the department of teacher education at Simpson, Timm began using popular culture references in his lesson plans more than 25 years ago. Following his graduation from Simpson in 1995, Timm taught middle school and high school social studies in Central Iowa.

Around the time he started teaching, “Forrest Gump” hit the big screen.

The Oscar winner for best picture starring Tom Hanks depicts multiple historical events from the perspective of a fictional character named Forrest Gump. Timm found that his students referenced the movie as fact, not fiction.

Some believed Gump was a real person. They believed the historical events portrayed in the movie were entirely accurate.

“That was the first time I realized my students were learning about history from what they were seeing in movies and they were not necessarily learning accurately,” Timm said.

“During the first part of my teaching career, I would tell students to not watch those types of films. Then I came to a point in the early 2000s when I realized that telling my students to resist pop culture wasn’t teaching them how to interact with it. It wasn’t teaching them how to use it, or how to be critical media literate.

So, I gave in and started using pop culture.

Not to say ‘this is what happened’ but to make them question what they were seeing.”

Timm said he sees a higher level of engagement from his students when he uses pop culture examples to deepen their understanding of the subject matter. They start to consume pop culture critically and connect concepts they’ve learned in class to what they experience in their daily lives.

“That’s one of my goals,” Timm said, “that they are more critically aware of what they’re hearing, what they’re reading, what they’re seeing.”

Timm isn’t alone in his methods. He’s contributed to numerous texts highlighting the ways pop culture can be used as a teaching tool. Timm’s work is featured in titles like “Educating Through Popular Culture: You’re Not Cool Just Because You Teach With Comics,” “Deadpool and Philosophy: My Common Sense is Tingling” and “Doctor Strange and Philosophy: The Other Forbidden Book of Knowledge.”

Since returning to his alma mater in 2016, Timm’s teaching methods have earned notoriety from his students and peers alike.

Timm has collected two distinguished faculty awards, earning Simpson’s Exemplary Teaching Award in 2020 and winning the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2021.

While Timm’s students do their fair share of reading popular comics, watching movies and listening to songs, they aren’t excused from digging into important scholarly texts.

“My students read [Plato’s] ‘The Trial and Death of Socrates,’ ” he said. “They read ‘The Apology.’ They read ‘Crito.’ They read ‘Meno.’

Then, we listen to Mumford and Sons’ ‘The Cave’ and draw connections to ‘The Allegory of the Cave.’ ” Timm’s preference to teach using pop culture didn’t happen by accident. He is, admittedly, a lifelong comic book fan. His favorite superhero? Dr. Strange.

“Dr. Strange resonates with me because of the transformation he has to go through to become Dr. Strange,” Timm said. “It’s one where he has to humble himself and recognize how little he knows to learn a new way of doing things.”

Just like his favorite superhero, Timm saw an opportunity to better reach his students. So, he learned a new way of doing things.

FACULTY PURSUITS

FA L L 2 021 | 9

CONTINUING & GRADUATE

College launches new online certificate program in trauma and resiliency The newest academic offering from Simpson College addresses a growing societal need for specially trained professionals to work with people who have experienced trauma in their life.

Simpson announced in July 2021 the addition of an online graduate certificate program in trauma and resiliency beginning fall 2021. The certification is the first of its kind in the state of Iowa and is designed to help professionals develop self-care, social justice and crisis response skills. Simpson has partnered with industry leader Starr Commonwealth to provide the fully online certification program, building on the College’s strong online reputation.

“We’re proud to offer this new online program to help professionals serve individuals who have experienced trauma at a time when there’s been so much discussion regarding non-violent interventions and mental health,” said John Woell, senior vice president and academic dean. “The program fits with Simpson’s mission to provide high-quality online programs and to create better citizens in a complex world.”

The four-course certification program is ideal for any professional who works with at-risk youth or adults. A bachelor’s degree is necessary for enrollment. The required courses can be applied toward the master of arts in criminal justice degree at Simpson.

10 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

“Many professionals – including teachers, social workers and criminal justice practitioners – work with people who have faced traumatic experiences on a regular basis,” said Denise Leifker, associate professor and director of the master of arts in criminal justice program.

“Unfortunately, these same professionals don’t always have the skills needed to understand and assist the individuals they serve. This program was created to help improve that rising need.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. Those who experience trauma are more likely to experience learning and behavioral disorders, as well as become incarcerated.

“At Starr Commonwealth, we are driven to heal trauma and build resilience in children and families,” said Elizabeth Carey, Starr Commonwealth president and CEO. “To do so, we must empower communities for whole health support. Criminal justice systems play a vital role in accomplishing this goal, and the positive ripple effect to such efforts creates a tremendous impact on the community’s future. We are honored to partner with Simpson College, and take pride in knowing that their students will help countless families flourish.”

Prospective students can learn more and apply at simpson.edu/trauma-and-resiliency.

CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

A WAY FORWARD

At its May 14, 2021 meeting, the Simpson College Board of Trustees voted to affiliate the college with the Reconciling Ministries Network, a nonprofit organization seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of the United Methodist Church.

This important, meaningful move creates a way forward for the college. We can continue to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church while maintaining our commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion for all persons.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church convened a special session in 2019 to consider the matter of inclusion. The special session focused on two primary topics: whether or not clergy who openly identified as gay or lesbian could be ordained and whether or not clergy could preside over same-sex marriages. Ultimately, officials passed what is known as the Traditionalist Plan, which upholds the language in the Book of Discipline and prohibits the primary topics considered at the special session.

Shortly after the passage of the Traditionalist Plan, colleges like Simpson wondered how they could remain related to the denomination yet uphold important values like inclusivity (the college has an Inclusivity Statement that had been previously affirmed by the Board).

As the Chaplain at the time of the 2019 General Conference, I engaged in an unending stream of conversations with students, faculty, staff and alumni who wondered how they could fully embrace their own identities – or the identities of those they loved – and still feel at peace with the college’s connection to the denomination.

The harm this policy perpetuates has always been clear to me. An inclusive understanding of the Gospel of Christ has led me to a ministry that is unapologetically affirming for all gender identities so all persons can believe they are truly beloved by God. I am grateful for Simpson’s leadership in the movement of United Methodist-related colleges becoming Reconciling Communities.

Out of over 100 United Methodist Churchaffiliated colleges and universities in the nation, we are just the third college to make this move.

Our alignment with RMN shows that faith and inclusion are not mutually exclusive. The values that have helped to inform our campus community over the decades come from a history of inclusion reaching back to our founding as the Men’s and Women’s Seminary in Indianola. My hope is that faculty, staff, alumni and prospective members of our community better understand the rich traditions of the Church, which guide us in matters of justice, equity and inclusion. These traditions remind us that we can embrace and welcome all identities and that we take this work seriously.

Reconciling Ministries Network “equips and mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”

Any United Methodist individual can sign up as a Reconciling United Methodist to support the movement.

VISIT

RMNETWORK.ORG TO LEARN MORE.

Mara Lehew Bailey '06, Simpson College Chaplain

FA L L 2 021 | 1 1

THEN AND NOW

THEN & NOW:

Buxton Stadium Scoreboard 12 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

THEN AND NOW

Bill Buxton Stadium received a facelift in the summer of 2021 with the installation of a new, high-definition video board. The project was made possible by gifts from members of Simpson’s 1969 Mineral Water Bowl football team and other generous donors. Located at the north end of the stadium, the state-of-the-art video display spans 15 feet by 28 feet and showcases a multimedia, LED video display.

The new board will enhance the gameday experience for both fans and student-athletes alike.

FA L L 2 021 | 1 3

FEAUTRE STORIES

CONS TRUC TING A CULTURE OF

RESEAR H Interdisciplinary. Collaborative. Transformative.

Research at Simpson College turns students into colleagues, faculty into mentors and problems into solutions.

14 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

H

“We were encouraged to take courses outside of

America the Ballad: Keeping history alive

music, and we’re better singers now for it.”

Audrey Johnson ’05

History is often shared through old books or the spoken word. Audrey Johnson ’05 has made a career by telling it through song.

A classically trained opera singer who earned a bachelor of music in vocal performance at Simpson, Johnson recently founded the solo touring company, Of Thee I Sing: American Heritage Through Song. The company offers concert programs that combine historic songs, authentic costumes, images and spoken narrative. The result is an interactive performance that allows the audience to experience history in a manner hard to accomplish through the spoken word.

“By wielding the power of music, we’re educating people without them realizing it,” Johnson said. “These performances provide a direct portal into the day-to-day lives of historical figures. You can read their words, but when you hear words combined with music, there’s something all-encompassing that transports you through time. It has a way of staying with us that is so much more deep and lasting.”

One stop on the tour was a virtual performance arranged specially for Women’s History Month at Simpson in March 2021. “We’ve Come a Long Way, Ladies! A Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment Through Song” featured songs inspired by the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

“She’s a singer, a teacher and a researcher,” said Michael Patterson, composer and former Simpson professor. “When you think about what all goes into her programs – the costumes, the music, all of it - she really had to do her homework in order to be accurate. I very much admire what she is doing.”

Johnson credits her time at Simpson – specifically the vocal performance faculty – with preparing her for her current role. She first learned about composers writing for the voice of a particular singer in Maria DiPalma’s class and she credits former professor and current Board of Trustees member Virginia Croskery Lauridsen for her vocal training exercises, which she still uses to this day.

“I don’t think I could have founded Of Thee I Sing without my Simpson College foundation,” Johnson said. “There are few schools where students can get a conservatory-level degree and liberal arts education at the same time. I know people who attended conservatories, and they just don’t have the philosophy or literary background that I received going to Simpson. We were encouraged to take courses outside of music, and we’re better singers now for it.”

Listen to Johnson’s performances on the Of Thee I Sing website at oftheeising.com

FA L L 2 021 | 1 5

“What I learned as a student that was super important was that if you want to solve a big problem, it has to be interdisciplinary. It’s not like a chemist alone can solve big problems for the world. You have to pull a bunch of people together.”

16 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

Derek Lyons ’07

Research sparks Simpson startup Derek Lyons ’07 remembers the moment he saw a change in Ryan Skaar ’17.

It was after midnight in Carver Science Hall.

Lyons – an associate professor of chemistry and physics – and Skaar – an upperclassman biochemistry major – were working on a research project that involved genetic testing.

It was a hard day and progress was slow.

Then the lightbulb came on.

“Those were the times we really started to collaborate,” Lyons said. “I think he got enough confidence to stop asking if it’s going to work and start pitching ideas.”

It’s not uncommon to see such breakthroughs at Simpson College, where undergraduates work directly with faculty on research projects every day. The College creates a safe space for students to grow and spark their curiosity and creativity. Eventually, students test theories and come to their own conclusions. That’s when a student transforms into something more.

In the early morning hours in Carver, Skaar went through that transformation. He was no longer a student. He was a colleague.

“All of a sudden, the ideas we’d been chatting about for years came to fruition,” Skaar said.

“It was meaningful, it worked and it led to everything else that’s happened from that point.”

The research project that grew out of the Carver basement became NanoBio Designs LLC, the startup that created the ExpresSeed platform. The platform provides fast, on-site genetic detection for grain, feed and hybrid seed distributors. The patent-pending process detects the presence of known genetic markers in as little as 10 minutes, an alternative to polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) tests that can take days. The growing company drew national attention when it was selected as one of five finalists for the 2020 Radicle Challenge

by Corteva, a contest to identify promising agtech startups solving challenges with novel technology solutions.

NanoBio Designs recently relocated to the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis after growing up in Maple Ventures, a West Des Moines-based entrepreneur support center launched by Simpson alumnus Hank Norem ’02. Lyons and Skaar are still heavily involved in the project. Lyons serves as board chair and platform chief technology officer and Skaar oversees a majority of the day-to-day work as chief operating officer.

From its founding, NanoBio Designs has enjoyed a strong footing in the Simpson community.

The core work of NanoBio Designs relies on converging scientific technologies. Lyons and Skaar know that for their project to grow, they need input from lots of different disciplines.

The work goes beyond chemistry. Math, engineering, marketing, computer science and more all play a significant role in the success of the platform. For both Lyons and Skaar, this approach got its start at Simpson.

Ryan Skaar ’17 (left) and Derek Lyons ’07 helped launch NanoBio Designs LLC and the ExpresSeed Platform. To learn more about this uniquely Simpson startup, visit nanobiodesigns.com.

“What I learned as a student that was super important was that if you want to solve a big problem, it has to be interdisciplinary,” Lyons said. “It’s not like a chemist alone can solve big problems for the world. You have to pull a bunch of people together.”

Lyons took the foundation he built as an undergraduate at Simpson and expanded upon it as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. There, his research focused on the structure of DNA and how it affects cancer.

Skaar did the same thing at the University of Kansas, where he studied pharmaceutical chemistry. Because the program at Kansas was interdisciplinary in nature – similar to his Simpson experience – Skaar felt comfortable.

Most of all, he felt prepared.

“You have to do a lot of collaboration at a small institution,” Skaar said. “That same collaboration happens at a larger institution, just on a bigger scale and with more people.

When you have enough knowledge of each individual little piece, you know how to at least initiate a conversation with someone who might be outside of the current project.”

As the work at NanoBio Designs expands, the technology developed by the startup – which traces its roots to the Emerge@ Simpson entrepreneurial venture – has implications beyond genetic testing in corn and soybeans. Because the technology behind ExpresSeed is a platform technology, it has the potential to test DNA in viruses, animals and bacteria. The expertise isn’t there yet, but the possibilities are many.

“That’s our business model here for the future,” Lyons said. “Companies will have a problem that this genetic test might be able to solve. The way to figure out if it works is we work together. They bring their expertise and we bring our core technology. That’s fundamentally what Simpson does too. We have our core identity and that gets spread out across the world as students graduate.”

FA L L 2 021 | 1 7

Building a problem-solving mindset Audrey LoVan ’18 started her professional career at Google just a few months after graduating from Simpson College.

In her role as a customer solutions engineer, LoVan works with advertisers to build prototypes to implement within their campaigns and accounts.

In a nutshell, LoVan spends her time solving problems.

“A lot of times, my clients don’t really know what they want,” she said.

“They have problems and I have to figure out what to build.”

The job comes naturally for LoVan, who developed a problem-solving mindset as a mathematics and computer science student at Simpson.

For her senior capstone project, LoVan wanted to find a faster way to render computer animated hair – a process that could take as long as 30 minutes for just four seconds of video.

“I worked on an algorithm that would take plane-like hair that used four points to control [instead of millions],” LoVan said. “The algorithm used linear algebra matrix manipulation to move those points in space for rendering. Since there were less, it was ultimately faster than vector points.”

Despite the complexity of the project itself, the most difficult aspect for LoVan was choosing a topic to research. Rather than being forced to work on a particular project – the more traditional approach in academia – LoVan had endless options. The task was intimidating at first, but she found a project that best fit her passions.

She applies that same principle at Google. If a client goes to her because their campaign is disapproved, she isn’t slowed down by the blank canvas. Instead, she immediately goes through the variety of solutions she has at her disposal.

18 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

"I have the background and education to better connect, explain, present and work with others."

Audrey LoVan ’18 “Research helped in situations like that because it was the first time I had to figure something out for myself,” she said.

Not surprisingly, LoVan works with many individuals who attended large research institutions. While those individuals are incredibly talented and incredibly valuable to the company, so is LoVan. Her liberal arts background – specifically as it applies to research – gives her a broad perspective when she tackles problems.

“You develop a wider scope of view when you research at a liberal arts institution,” LoVan said. “I got a little taste of everything. When it comes to research, it gives you a broader picture of what you’re able to do.”

LoVan also developed invaluable soft skills as an undergraduate.

Defined as the skills and abilities that relate to how individuals work and interact with others, LoVan honed her soft skills because of her interactions with a variety of people. Because she roomed with a theatre major, a communications major and a biology major, she was exposed to different backgrounds and viewpoints.

“One of the biggest features of my job is working with the sales team,” LoVan said. “I have to explain the prototypes I build. People who have a more specialized, bachelor of science background tend to struggle in those situations. I have the background and education to better connect, explain, present and work with others.”

Redefining the career path Global agriculture trends. Renaissance comparative literature. Business writing and translations.

Most companies would need to hire three separate individuals to offer expertise in these three different fields. BASF Agricultural Solutions, a leading global corporation, received all three through just one employee: Dr. Brady Spangenberg ’04.

As the senior marketing manager for strategy and services at BASF Agricultural Solutions US, Spangenberg helps coordinate incentive planning, forecasting, demand planning and campaign execution on a portfolio of over 100 products. He also has direct responsibility for private label and technical material sales to distribution.

Sometimes his days at Simpson College – where he double-majored in English and religion – feel like a distant memory. But his unique journey through academia and the corporate world embodies the spirit of an interdisciplinary, liberal arts education.

A Council Bluffs native, Spangenberg started out studying environmental science. He changed course after his first semester. “That’s when my love for languages and ideas developed,” Spangenberg said.

Spangenberg earned both a master’s and doctorate degree in comparative literature from Purdue University and served as a research fellow at the University of Freiburg (Germany). He wanted to stand out from other job candidates.

“The academic market was very competitive,” Spangenberg said. “I wanted a hedge, so I focused on my foreign language and business writing skills.”

Spangenberg landed a position as the global communications manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions’ headquarters in Germany. In his 10 years at the company, he’s also held roles in business systems, analytics and market intelligence.

While his career focuses heavily on agricultural business, Spangenberg credits his success on his liberal arts background.

“I use the things I learned in literature and humanities every day to be the swiss army knife my company needs me to be,” Spangenberg said.

“Throughout my career, I’ve needed to know how to tell a good story, frame an argument and manage people. I’ve had to bounce from project to project; from being detailed-oriented one minute to being creative the next. A liberal arts background was the best incubator for that.”

Spangenberg shared his story with the Simpson community as the inaugural lecturer at the Humanities Division Speaker Series in September 2021. His talk, “You Studied What?!? Applying Humanities Lessons to the Business of Agriculture” stressed the benefits of a broad-based, liberal arts education.

“I hope to show students that they shouldn’t be scared of studying something because there’s no direct role after graduation,” Spangenberg said. “There may be specific jobs for those who study biology, chemistry, and so on. But there will also be plenty of career paths for those that are comfortable with diving into uncertain or unknown subjects.”

ˮI use the things I learned in literature and humanities every day to be the swiss army knife my company needs me to be.”

Brady Spangenberg ’04

FA L L 2 021 | 1 9

ATHLETICS

Thunder bolts onto the scene The skies darken. There’s a rumble in the distance. A storm is coming. That means Thunder is on its way.

The new mascot of Simpson College and Storm Athletics is Thunder, a menacing elephant clad in red and gold. Appropriately named for the thunderous sound created when its feet hit the ground and the clear association with a storm, Thunder sets out to provide energy and school spirit for the Simpson community.

“An elephant is an ideal choice to represent the college,” Director of Athletics Marty Bell said. “Elephants are strong, elephants are intelligent, and just like the Simpson community, elephants work best as part of a team.”

The addition of a mascot – Simpson’s first official mascot since the early 2000s – is part of Bell’s new vision and direction for Storm athletics. The vision includes facility upgrades and program enhancements.

ˮAn elephant is an ideal choice to represent the college...elephants are strong, elephants are intelligent, and just like the Simpson community, elephants work best as part of a team."

Marty Bell, Director of Athletics 20 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

Thunder has been spotted around campus and became a mainstay at Storm football games. Look for Thunder at a variety of activities and events. Until then, follow the Storm's No. 1 fan on Twitter: @ThunderSCMascot.

ATHLETICS

The long road to success Jenna Taylor’s painful path to a championship If Jenna Taylor has learned one thing in her career, it’s that achieving success is a marathon, not a sprint.

It was a storybook chapter in a record-setting career. Taylor’s story, though, is anything but a fairytale.

As a fifth-year senior in 2020-21, Taylor led the Storm women’s basketball team to a perfect 12-0 record and an American Rivers Conference championship in a pandemicshortened season. She was named conference MVP, a first-team All-American and earned Academic All-America of the Year honors.

In her first four years at Simpson, Taylor missed 36 games. She sat out her entire freshman year with a stress fracture in her shin. Then, after developing into one of the top players in the league over the next two seasons, another stress fracture – this time in her back – caused Taylor to miss nine games of her senior season. She missed two months of practice and couldn’t return to full form.

Jenna Taylor’s 2020-21 Highlights > NCAA Woman of the Year Award Finalist > Division III Academic All-America of the Year > First Team All-American > All-West Region Player of the Year > American Rivers Conference MVP > Surpassed 1,000 career points

Despite the setbacks, Taylor stayed positive.

She credits her teammates with helping her push through the difficult times.

“I always tried to contribute as much as I could on the bench and was probably too animated for my role sometimes,” she said.

“Being surrounded by positive teammates and coaches really helped as well. It wasn’t hard to stay positive with those people around me.”

Following her injury-filled senior season, Taylor elected to come back for a fifth year.

The decision paid off for both her and the program as a whole. The team endured the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the only

undefeated season in school history and capture the program’s 13th conference title.

“I felt like I had something to prove headed into the season,” Taylor said. “Our team thought we could separate ourselves from the rest of the conference by going to the gym as much as we could. The back injury also propelled what I wanted to accomplish last year.”

Taylor has never focused on personal accolades. From her days as a standout at Creston High School to her collegiate career as one of the best players in Simpson history, Taylor sticks to the basics. She aims to get better every day and be a good teammate.

“All of the points, rebounds and wins came because I was a good teammate and leader, and I hope I have left a positive mark at Simpson College.”

Taylor has the opportunity to add to her legacy in 2021-22 as she returns to Simpson for a sixth year. She’s taking advantage of the ruling passed down by the NCAA granting all student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Taylor graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2021 with degrees in accounting and finance.

FA L L 2 021 | 2 1

ATHLETICS

Destination: National Championship Shooting Sports Club completes remarkable turnaround “Being part of the first recruiting class was not something that I thought was a big deal until I arrived at Simpson and realized how much we had to prove as new athletes,” said Molly Sheehan, one of the student-athletes on the roster when Martin took over. “The support from Simpson was very nice to get upfront and made us feel welcome to be a member of campus athletics.”

Over the course of three seasons, the Simpson College shooting sports club evolved from a program in rebuilding mode to a program celebrating a national title.

The Storm and head coach Dan Martin won a national championship in the international skeet competition at the 2021 Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships.

Along with the gold in international skeet, Simpson finished second in bunker/ international trap, third in American trap and fourth in American skeet and sporting clays.

Sheehan became a key part in the team’s success. The Marblehead, Massachusetts native won the individual national championship in international skeet at the 2021 SCTP National Championships and added two second-place honors.

“It felt amazing to win nationals,” she said.

“Everything came together on the last day of competition and I did what I knew I had to do, and came out on top. It especially felt good to end my nationals career with a win in

the discipline that I've been training in for the last 10 years.”

The growth of shooting sports on Simpson’s campus is mirrored throughout the nation.

Since 2018, nearly 30 high schools and six four-year colleges in Iowa have added the sport. Due to the increased popularity, Martin has crossed over the Iowa border in recruiting. His current roster showcases student-athletes from Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas and Wisconsin.

But no matter where they’re from, Martin looks beyond a prospect’s skills. Above all else, he wants a student-athlete who fits the program.

“My focus has been on the person,” Martin said. “I search to see what they bring to the table and how they can help us continue to grow as people and as a team.”

The road to the top began at the start of the 2018-19 season when Martin was hired as head coach.

“I was hired to take the team to the next level,” Martin said. “We knew we had to focus on the journey and the little things to arrive at our destination.”

At the start of Martin’s tenure, he had two student-athletes remaining from the previous year’s squad. Martin knew he had to rely on them to rebuild the program.

Molly Sheehan won the individual national championship in international skeet at the 2021 SCTP National Championships.

22 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

ATHLETICS

Simpson community mourns loss of hall of fame coaches The Simpson College family lost two all-time greats in May 2021 with the passing of Keith Ellingson and Dick Starr. Both coaches achieved great success during their careers at Simpson – Ellingson in track and field and cross country and Starr in basketball and tennis – but they’ll be remembered for more than wins and losses.

They’ll be remembered for their unmatched contributions to the College and their commitment to the betterment of their student-athletes.

Ellingson died May 14, 2021 at the age of 63. The hall of fame track and field and cross country coach led the programs from 1986-2001. During that time, Simpson achieved unmatched success at the national level.

Ellingson led the cross country team to ninth place at the 1986 national championships and guided the track and field team to fifth place at the 1988 national championships. Both results stand as the best in school history.

The Ellingson family has deep ties to the College. Keith's wife, Kristi, worked at Simpson for more than 20 years before her death in 2010. Of the couple's three daughters – Jessica, Catie and Bailey – two graduated from Simpson. Jessica Ellingson Hull is a member of the Class of 2008 and Catie is a member of the Class of 2012. Catie was a standout track and cross country student-athlete, earning AllAmerica honors six times.

Ellingson was inducted into the Simpson College Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.

Starr died May 23, 2021 at the age of 88. The hall of fame basketball and tennis coach spent 30 years at Simpson, coaching men’s basketball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. He won conference coach of the year honors in both sports and is one of just three coaches in Simpson men's basketball history to record 100 wins. Beyond athletics, Starr served as chair of the physical education department and developed the College's sports medicine program.

On the hardwood, Starr led the men’s basketball team to its first-ever NCAA postseason appearance in 1976. As the women’s tennis coach, he earned back-toback coach of the year accolades to close his career. He led the 1995-96 squad to 14 victories for the program's first double-digit win season and followed with a 10-win campaign.

Storm welcomes new coaches The Storm athletic department welcomed four new head coaches to the staff for the 2021-22 academic year. Another coach accepted an elevated role. Below is a summary of the changes. For complete details, visit SimpsonAthletics.com.

Jeremy Johnson, men’s and women’s golf – Johnson ’99 comes to the athletic department after spending 20 years working for Simpson’s admissions team. In addition to his coaching duties, Johnson also serves as the athletic recruitment coordinator.

Adam Cvetich, men’s and women’s swimming and diving – Cvetich comes to Simpson from Augsburg University, where he served as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Auggies.

Aaron Fuller, men’s and women’s track and field – Fuller comes to Simpson from Doane University, where he helped the Tigers tie for the men’s NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship as an assistant coach in 2021.

Sam Schmitz, strength and conditioning – Schmitz comes to Simpson from NCAA Division I Austin Peay State University. He has also trained student-athletes at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.

Heath Moenck, track and field and cross country – Moenck moves into the new role of director of track and field and cross country after 10 seasons as the head cross country and assistant track and field coach. He has retained his duties as head cross country coach.

Starr was inducted into the Simpson College Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997. An award in his name is presented annually to the top senior in physical education.

FA L L 2 021 | 2 3

NEWS

Saying goodbye to an ‘irreplaceable treasure’ Dr. Robert L. Larsen ’56, an influential and long-time faculty member integral to building the Simpson College Music Department, died Sunday, March 21, 2021 at age 86.

Larsen taught at Simpson for 55 years and served as chair of the Music Department for nearly 30 years. He founded and led the Madrigal Singers for 50 years and established the Des Moines Metro Opera in 1973. He influenced the lives and careers of hundreds of Simpson graduates, many of whom remained in touch with him until his passing.

In his more than five decades at Simpson, Larsen became known for his unwavering passion for music and unmatched drive to succeed. In “Beneath the Whispering Maples: The History of Simpson College,” historian Dr. Joe Walt wrote, “No one at Simpson worked harder than Larsen; no one produced work of higher quality; no one was more gifted professionally.”

Larsen also had a significant impact on the structural landscape of the college. He championed the construction of the Blank Performing Arts Center, Amy Robertson Music Center and the Salisbury wing of the Amy Robertson Music Center.

“His imprint on the Simpson music program, including its strong tradition of undergraduate opera, is deep and enduring,” professor of music John Benoit said. “He will long be remembered as one of the truly remarkable alumni and faculty of Simpson College.”

Originally from Walnut, Iowa, Larsen graduated from Simpson in 1956. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Michigan and his doctorate from Indiana University. He joined the faculty at Simpson in 1957, where he taught full-time until 2010. He remained active in the music department until 2017.

He is the only person to be inducted into both the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Faculty categories of the Honor Roll of the Names that Live at Simpson, the College's highest honor.

A 'spire of excellence' Below is an excerpt from Dr. Joe Walt’s “Beneath the Whispering Maples: The History of Simpson College” "Simpson's Music Department continued its record of excellence under

the direction of Robert Larsen. President [Robert] McBride called music Simpson's "spire of excellence" and its chairman "probably the most

valuable and indispensable member of our entire staff in terms of public relations, including the president himself." No one at Simpson worked

harder than Larsen; no one produced work of higher quality; no one was

more gifted professionally. The sheer quantity of the work he accomplished, the powerful impact of his personality on the College, the impressive

performances he coaxed out of talented students, led both insiders and outsiders to regard Larsen as an irreplaceable treasure."

24 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

NEWS

Debate team wins fourth national championship The 2020-21 Simpson College debate team continued its recent dominance on the national stage, winning the Pi Kappa Delta National Debate Championship in March. The title is the third in a row and fourth in five years for the program, which ascended from humble beginnings to become a national powerhouse.

Simpson took top honors among the 79 colleges competing in the tournament, which was originally scheduled to take place in Texas but was held online due to COVID-19. The closest competitors in the final standings – Boise State University and Whitworth University – were 124 points off the pace set by Simpson.

Such a dominant performance is impressive in and of itself. But what’s more impressive is how fast it all came together for the speech and debate program.

The program formed a decade ago. The team had four members in its inaugural season. The following year brought eight team members.

Then 17, then 40, then 45. Within five seasons, the 2015-16 team captured Simpson’s first national debate championship. The 2017-18 team won the program’s second title. Simpson has successfully defended its title every year

since. The only exception was in 2019-20 – that season ended without a national championship competition due to COVID-19.

Participation in each of the last four years has eclipsed 70 individuals.

“It’s hard to imagine a school our size competing at a national level against much larger universities,” said Spencer Waugh, director of speech, debate and mock trial. “Those first few years, we were only traveling with four, five, six students and competing in a single style of debate.”

Waugh built the program from the ground up. He used previous national championship teams as a model for success and began recruiting aggressively to fill entries for all seven debate formats while continuing to strengthen the speech program. Now, the strength of the team lies in its depth, a rarity for a school Simpson’s size.

“What sets us apart is we have a comprehensive program and we do multiple styles and formats of debate as well as having a speech team,” Waugh said. “It’s unusual for a school of our size to have a comprehensive debate program.”

The Pi Kappa Delta Championship is the largest national college comprehensive forensics tournament in the country. The Storm speech and debate team took part in four days of intense competition against 1,342 entries from 520 other students in 18 different events.

2021 Pi Kappa Delta Championship Debate Team Points 1. Simpson College, 302 2. Whitworth University, 178 3. Boise State University, 178 4. Hillsdale College, 148 5. College of Western Idaho, 124

FA L L 2 021 | 2 5

New cabinet members join leadership team

Keyah Levy joined the college on June 1, 2021 as vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. She came to Simpson from the University of Northern Iowa, where she served as director of multicultural education and gender and sexuality services.

Levy has 15 years of experience in both higher education and the private sector, serving in roles that have supported minoritized and marginalized communities. As part of her higher education experience, Levy has developed and implemented equitable policies, programs and environments to foster a sense of belonging for multicultural students. She has also helped create and implement initiatives for the campus community.

“We are thrilled to bring someone of Keyah’s caliber and experience to campus,” President Marsha Kelliher said. “She was, by far, the most qualified candidate for this newly created cabinet-level position and came to us with incredible references from past employers and colleagues around the country. She has accomplished a great deal and we are looking forward to working with her on opportunities we see at Simpson to become a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus.”

Roger Degerman joined the college on Sept. 7, 2021 as vice president for marketing and strategic communication. He came to Simpson from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served as vice president of marketing and enrollment. Degerman has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, implementing innovative marketing campaigns and brand positioning strategies that increased the profile of multiple institutions. Prior to his tenure at Guilford, Degerman spent almost 14 years as the senior director of marketing and communications at his alma mater, Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

“Roger has built an impressive track record as a higher education marketing and communications executive and we are excited to have him as part of the Simpson team,” President Marsha Kelliher said. “His leadership has strengthened the profile of his previous institutions through increased visibility, award-winning marketing campaigns and innovative web solutions. Roger’s vision will be an asset as Simpson positions itself in the competitive higher-education marketplace.”

Simpson says goodbye to retiring faculty members Five faculty members retired during or following the 2020-21 academic year. The group combined for 145 years of service to the College and will be remembered for unparalleled dedication to their students.

Patricia Calkins, professor of German, 23 years

26 |

Bill Friedricks, professor of history, 33 years

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

Marilyn Mueller, professor of management, 39 years

Murphy Waggoner, professor of mathematics, 29 years

David Wolf, professor of English, 21 years

NEWS

Names that Live at Simpson On Aug. 12, 2021, the Simpson College community celebrated six new additions to The Honor Roll of the Names That Live at Simpson.

Established in 1986 by the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Honor Roll recognizes the most distinguished alumni and former faculty who have made a significant impact on the College. The names of those inducted were added to the recognition walls at the south entrance to the Pedestrian Plaza.

2021 Inductees Keith R. Swanson ’54, Distinguished Alumni Nile D. Ramsbottom ’66, Distinguished Alumni Robert L. Larsen ’56, Distinguished Faculty Donna J. Helble ’71, Honored Benefactor Keith R. Swanson ’54

Terry ’77 and Joyce Lillis, Honored Benefactors Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, Honored Benefactor

Board of Trustees appoints Terry Handley as chair, welcomes new members The Simpson College Board of Trustees at its May meeting appointed Terry Handley ’09 as board chair and welcomed newly-elected members Beth Nigut ’91, Matt DeWolf ’03 and Joe Sorenson ’12 to the College’s governing body.

Susan E. Voss ’75 moved into the role of board secretary while Gary Ruble ’63, Brianne Fitzgerald ’02, Kyle Liske ’09 and Michael DeVito concluded their service to the board. Ruble was a board member since 2010, Fitzgerald since 2019, Liske since 2018 and DeVito since 2014.

Handley follows the tenure of Terry Lillis ’77, board chair since 2017.

He brings decades of leadership experience to his role. He retired as president and CEO of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. in 2019, closing a career that spanned almost 40 years.

Nigut is the executive vice president and chief people officer at EMC Insurance Companies. A political science major at Simpson, Nigut earned 2020 Human Resources Professional of the Year honors from the Des Moines Business Record.

DeWolf is founder and CEO of MK Quinn Media, Inc. An English and journalism major, DeWolf was a letterwinner and academic allconference performer for the Storm baseball team.

Sorenson is vice president of affiliate relations at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. A liberal arts, finance and applied philosophy major at Simpson, Sorenson was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 list in 2018.

Terry Handley ’09

FA L L 2 021 | 2 7

DONORS LIKE YOU

provide the dynamic and stimulating campus environment required for supporting our students as they grow at Simpson College.

“The ambitions and dreams are palpable, and I truly believe each Simpson student has a bright and boundless future!“ – President Kelliher –

YOU can help them turn potential into achievement with a gift today!

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.

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 '11

'18

Emily Ledger ’11 and David Zabner were married June 6, 2021, at Rapid Creek Cidery near Iowa City, Iowa.

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

Curt Castenson ’18 and and Annie Stolte ’18 were married Aug. 14, 2021. Simpson professor Cal Busby ’09 officiated the ceremony. The two met at Simpson during their fall semester of their freshman year.

FA L L 2 021 | 2 9

TOURING THE YEARS

Births/Adoptions

Porter James Ott, Feb. 13, 2020, to Lisa Rasmussen Ott ’06 and Justin Ott, Nevada, Iowa. Joins older brothers Trevor, Carver and Oliver.

Kenani James Kruger, Dec. 15, 2020, to James Kruger ’11 and Laura McIlravy Kruger ’13, Indianola, Iowa. Joins sister, Hazel.

Rhett Mahomes Ludwig, July 31, 2021, to Charlie Sandvick Ludwig ’13 and Scott Ludwig, Bondurant, Iowa.

'14

Reece Miller Terrizzi, Jan. 26, 2021, to Nicole Cleveringa Terrizzi ’08 and Mick Terrizzi, Oakland, California.

Theo Stein, March 30, 2021, to Mandi Deutsch Stein ’14 and Alex Stein, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Lincoln Emmett Edel, March 23, 2021, to Logan Edel ’09 and Kate Edel, Ankeny, Iowa. Joins sister Peyton.

Genevieve Lynn Newton, Oct. 30, 2020, to Keely Goshia Newton ’13 and Joel Newton ’14, North Aurora, Illinois.

30 |

S I M P S O N : T H E M AG A Z I N E

Jovie Lucille Singleton, July 13, 2021, to Morgan Moline Singleton ’17 and Cort Singleton ’17, Indianola, Iowa.

TOURING THE YEARS

Births/Adoptions '17

Annetta Kay Worden, July 28, 2021, to Laura Finneseth Worden ’17 and Anthony Worden, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Summer Rae Van Maanen, Aug. 5, 2021, to Sara Moore Van Maanen ’18 and Seth Van Maanen ’18, Omaha, Nebraska.

In Memoriam Evelyn Corrie Birkby ’38, February 7, 2021, Sidney, Iowa.

Larry Ferger ’56, February 21, 2021, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Robert Beaver ’67, March 28, 2021, Friendship, Wisconsin.

Richard Barker ’43, July 20, 2021, La Mesa, California.

David Pillar ’56, March 9, 2021, Fort Worth, Texas.

Larry Blinn ’67, March 24, 2021, Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Charles Brodersen ’57, April 25, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa.

Dan Mehl ’74, February 15, 2021, Wichita, Kansas.

Margaret Gray Whipp ’43, March 19, 2020, Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Jean Roberts ’45, August 31, 2020, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Roland Horn ’49, January 10, 2021, Knoxville, Iowa.

Joyce Hawbaker Irminger ’51, January 30, 2021, Holland, Michigan.

Beverly Balmer Rigler ’52, August 16, 2021, Olathe, Kansas.

Joan Walter Holstein ’53, August 6, 2021, Seal Beach, California.

Beverley Thomas Loseke ’53, November 23, 2018, Chandler, North Carolina.

Sonia Chang ’59, September 12, 2020, Walnut Creek, California.

Norman Battles ’62, May 22, 2020, Johnston, Iowa.

Nigel Walters, Jr. ’62, December 5, 2019, Park City, Utah.

Penney Ruth Braaksma ’87, May 16, 2020, Chariton, Iowa.

Darwin Green ’89, June 10, 2021, Hudson, Iowa.

Carla Burt Offenburger ’92, July 24, 2021, Jefferson, Iowa.

Robert Brown ’63, April 26, 2021, Clive, Iowa.

Faculty and Staff

Sharon Wolf Martin ’64, February 24, 2021, Joliet, Illinois.

Keith Ellingson, May 14, 2021, Indianola, Iowa

Judith Walden ’64, February 16, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa.

Glenn “Butch” Kuehl ’66, September 19, 2018, Indianola, Iowa.

Doug Larche, Aug. 27, 2021, Indianola, Iowa.

Robert Larsen ’56, March 21, 2021, Indianola, Iowa.

Richard ‘Dick’ Starr, May 23, 2021, Indianola, Iowa.

FA L L 2 021 | 3 1

NON - PROFIT ORG.

701 N. C STREET

INDIANOLA, IOWA 50125 SIMPSON.EDU

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Connect With Us: #SimpsonCollege

U. S. POS TAGE PAID

DES MOINES, IA

PERMIT NO. 5740