Spring 2025 Magazine

Celebrating the life of President Jay Byers ’93 1970 I 2025

Remembering

President Jay Byers ’93

1970 I 2025

Big Ideas, Bigger Heart

The sudden passing of President Jay Byers ’93 on April 17, sent shockwaves throughout the Simpson community — and well beyond. President Byers’ larger-than-life enthusiasm and zeal for leading Simpson will be deeply missed as the College seeks to keep moving forward inspired by his legacy.

The outpouring of support for President Byers has been overwhelming with more than a 100,000 people engaging in the College’s various social media posts.

“Today I lost a brother, teammate and one of the best friends I’ve ever known,” Tom Galbraith ’92 wrote on Facebook. “And my beloved alma mater lost a leadership titan who will be hard to replace.”

Byers’ classmate Maureen Sullivan Coffey ’93 reminisced about his love for music, including memorable performances in the Great Hall for All College Sing. ‘Seven Bridges Road’ is just playing over and over in my head,” Coffey wrote on social media. “All my Jay memories are filled with music — [it’s] like his memories have a soundtrack.”

Byers’ greatest music moments also included a memorable impromptu performance during his 1992 May Term experience in Russia with Dr. Mark Green, a 40+ year faculty member now serving as professor of management. During their stay at the Astoria — a famous pre-revolutionary war hotel — word got out that a group of American college students was lodging there, and some were musicians. Green says one thing led to another, and he and Jay were invited on stage.

“Jay played guitar and sang, and I was on bass,” said Green. “He sang the 1986 Georgia Satellite hit, ‘Keep Your Hands to Yourself.’ The crowd loved it, and Jay was grinning from ear to ear when he came off stage.”

Coming Home Again

Just like his college days, Byers was the big man on campus when he returned to Simpson as president in the fall of 2023. His towering 6 foot, 6 inches presence had something to do with that, of course. But it was his humility and concern for others that really made him stand tall. As the Rev. Mara Bailey ’06, Simpson’s chaplain, shared at Byers’ Celebration of Life service, he was, “a man who never stopped showing up.”

“He showed up because that was how he moved through our lives, building connections, and lifting up the things that matter most to him, which consequently matter to us. And in each of those chapters of his life, Jay made us feel like the most important person in the room.”

Byers’ University of Iowa Law School classmate and Simpson trustee John Norris ’81 shared similar sentiments at the service, noting the president’s magnetic personality.

“Jay was both a lovable nerd and the cool guy that nerds loved to love,” said Norris. “You could combine his incredible compassion and love he showed everyone, and you would think you had discovered Mr. Rodgers’ twin brother with a bow tie.”

Always About the Students

No one was more important to Byers than Simpson students. He was virtually everywhere rooting them on — at their games, concerts, theatre performances and academic events.

Simpson Student Government Association (SGA) President Makayla Paulsen ’26 recalls the night last December when President Byers hosted an SGA meeting at Sigler House for her swearing in ceremony with SGA Vice President Caden Kingery ’26. She fondly remembers how Byers engaged her in a lively conversation about music when she discovered his impressive record collection on display in the house — a conversation that continued many times while meeting to discuss the latest SGA happenings and student concerns.

“It didn’t matter who you were or what you did, he always found a way to make a connection with you,” said Paulsen. “He created connections with students in so many ways and was a living example of his vision for community at Simpson. His care for us exhibited how important it was to him to create an inclusive, welcoming community.”

Similarly, Byers was also well known for his kind-spirited interactions with faculty and staff while eagerly serving as their genuine supporter and advocate.

“He restored a sense of community and confidence in leadership,” said Tracie Pavon ’90, assistant vice president for Enrollment and Financial Aid. “He remembered names and always spoke to us on a personal level. With Jay serving as our president, it was so easy to feel proud.”

Highly Engaged Community Partner

Community pride was also sky high, fuled by Byers’ enthusiastic desire to reinvigorate College partnerships throughout Indianola, Warren County and beyond. Kamie (Downing) Haynes ’92, Simpson trustee and owner of Lula Belle Designs on the Indianola Square, says she was thrilled he asked her to help form a “Town and Gown” committee.

“Jay believed so strongly that everyone in town should be connected to Simpson in some way, shape or form,” said Haynes. “He was visible everywhere as an advocate for the National Balloon Classic, the Des Moines Metro Opera, and many other community treasures. He was always going out of his way to do whatever he could for all things Indianola.”

Haynes’ trustee colleague Beth (Raymond) Nigut ’91 can also speak firsthand to Byers’ broader community commitment, dating back to her involvement with him in the Greater Des Moines Partnership and continuing through the days they shared at Simpson.

“Jay was so good at bringing people together,” said Nigut. “He had big ideas and was able to see the possibilities of what could be. He cared deeply about the work he did and about making our community a better place.”

Carried on by His Spirit

Now, the Simpson community must come together and carry on without Byers’ visionary leadership, winning drive, and loving spirit. Trustee Jim Spooner ’82 says Byers would want the College to keep pushing forward with boldness.

“Leading full speed ahead was always Jay’s style,” said Spooner. “And he wouldn’t want us to slow down now. His leadership put us on the fast track to heightened distinctive excellence and it’s up to us to grab the baton and keep running.”

And no doubt President Byers will be rooting the College on every step of the way with hearty shouts of “Roll Storm!”

Inspiring Us Onward

This edition of Simpson: The Magazine is dedicated to the life and legacy of President Jay Byers ’93. The last few weeks have been exceptionally difficult for all of us in the Simpson community, as we grieve the loss of not just a great leader, but a forever Red and Gold friend who showed us how to dream big. No words are sufficient to describe the depth of Jay’s character, integrity and innovative spirit. He was one of a kind, and we will miss him dearly.

The touching testimonies shared during our campus vigil and Jay’s Celebration of Life service elicited a beautiful blend of laughter and tears, as we remembered his remarkable impact. But knowing Jay well from my days serving with him on the Simpson Board of Trustees and these last two years working closely with him as Simpson’s president, the many glowing tributes would have made him uncomfortable. Jay never wanted his presidency to be about him.

As many have eloquently shared since Jay’s passing, he was laser focused on serving the best interests of Simpson students and watching them excel in pursuing their passions. From the moment he assumed the presidency, Jay engaged the campus community, as well as alumni and benefactors in pursuing a vision to, “make Simpson a national model of success for small liberal arts colleges.”

And in just two years, he was well on his way to doing just that. Last fall, under Jay's leadership, Simpson rolled out bold, new scholarship programs to maximize affordability, helping to produce the largest incoming class in more than a decade. At the same time,

first-year student retention jumped five percentage points to 81 percent — also the best in the last 10 years. Meanwhile, facility enhancements continue to take shape across campus with more big projects in the works. And athletics programs are rapidly growing — increasing opportunities for students while creating an ever more vibrant energy on campus.

President Byers helped establish major momentum for the College, and I know he was excited about our future. In fact, Jay expressed as much in the message he had drafted for this edition of the magazine — just a week before his death. Here’s an excerpt from that letter:

“As Simpson College turns 165 years old this year, we have so much for which to be grateful. We have stood the test of time with unwavering resolve through times of triumphs and trials. As the years roll by, Simpson just keeps getting stronger… Rest assured — Simpson’s best days are just ahead.”— President Jay Byers ’93

That is the optimism and can-do spirit Jay always sought to instill in our Simpson community. To honor his memory, let us rally together now and advance the great work he started with us.

Sincerely,

Terry Handley ’09 Acting President

Indescribable Family Joy

Commencement is always a time of festive celebration for graduates and their families. For Espoire Nkomezi ’25, (pictured at left) it was extra special.

“I can’t put into words what this day means to me, because when I graduated from [Johnston, Iowa] high school, my family wasn’t there. But, today, after 14 years of not seeing them — they are here. This is the best moment of my life.”

The jubilant reunion included Nkomezi’s parents, five siblings, uncle and many of his cousins. Nkomezi had to leave his family behind when he came to the U.S. as a refugee, escaping the ongoing civil war in his Democratic Republic of the Congo home. He landed at Simpson after his high school soccer coach at Johnston connected him with Storm Head Soccer Coach Rick Isaacson.

Nkomezi became team captain for the Storm, earning A-R-C Honorable Mention honors twice on his way to earning his degree in health and exercise science. He says everyone at Simpson made him feel at home.

“If I can describe Simpson in one word I would say ‘family.’ The professors treated me like my parents, guiding me as a firstgeneration student and giving me advice. The relationships I made here will last forever.”

Cast Your Vote for Wall of Honor

Every five years, Simpson College recognizes a select group of alumni and former faculty whose legacy has left a lasting mark on our community. “The Honor Roll of Names That Live at Simpson” celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the life and mission of the College. Honorees’ names are permanently engraved on the recognition walls at the south entrance to the Pedestrian Plaza.

We invite all alumni to take part in this meaningful tradition by voting for individuals deserving of this honor. Finalists will be announced in June 2025, with the final ballot available online from June 15 to July 15. The selected honorees will be recognized during Homecoming 2025.

Please contact Mady Nachtman, director of Alumni Relations, with questions. mady.nachtman@simpson.edu.

Memorable Alumni Gatherings

Arizona alums gathered in downtown Phoenix this winter for an afternoon of learning and fellowship. The event included a tour of the Arizona State Capitol and Judicial Building, led in part by Emma Schlenker ’19, clerk at the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Scan the QR code to cast your vote.

Back on campus, the Simpson community celebrated the anniversary of the Bryan Summer Research Program. Held in conjunction with the Midwest Undergraduate Math Symposium (MUMS), this special reunion welcomed back alumni, faculty mentors and friends to reflect on years of academic collaboration and impactful undergraduate research.

Simpson alumni also gathered in Adel for a spring happy hour at Great White Buffalo Public House.

Composing Community — and Now at Abbey Road

Simpson’s Jamie Poulsen brings a legacy of mentorship and music to the world’s most iconic recording studio.

When Assistant Professor of Music Jamie Poulsen sits down at the piano, it’s hard to tell where teaching ends and performing begins. For more than 30 years, Poulsen has been a quiet but powerful force at Simpson College, shaping the lives of music students through both classical and jazz.

Poulsen began teaching part time at Simpson in 1992, eventually joining the faculty full time in 2003. Since then, he’s become a mentor to hundreds of students, whether through music theory classes, private piano lessons, or weekly rehearsals where he often accompanies student and faculty performers. Over the years, he’s accompanied more than 200 student recitals — each one a personal investment in someone else’s musical journey.

"One of my favorite things at Simpson has been accompanying students," Poulsen said. "At the height of this experience, I was playing more than 225 different pieces each semester, hearing great voices all day, every day, when I wasn’t teaching classes or giving piano lessons. Many of those students went on to successful careers in singing and teaching."

Poulsen’s two works — “Piano Concerto,” premiered by the Des Moines Symphony in 2002, and “Heartland Poem,” commissioned in 2008 — will be recorded with Grammy-nominated pianist Robert Thies, whom Poulsen met through Simpson trustee Virginia Lauridsen.

Though trained as a classical pianist, Poulsen’s musical calendar is filled with jazz. He performs more than 100 times a year in the Des Moines area and across Iowa, appearing solo or in jazz duos, trios and big bands. He plays regularly with the Nola Jazz Band and has performed at major jazz festivals including the Bix Beiderbecke, Glenn Miller and Cedar Basin festivals.

For Poulsen, performing jazz is more than entertainment — it’s an extension of his teaching. “Jazz teaches listening, musical cooperation, and spontaneity,” he often tells students. Whether he’s onstage at a jazz venue or at Simpson, he treats every collaboration as a chance to learn together.

Scoring Success Beyond Simpson

Before teaching full time, Poulsen composed music for hundreds of commercials and corporate films, including projects for HyVee, Principal and Disney. He wrote music for more than 400 commercial productions over 12 years, earning 41 awards in both commercial and classical categories, including multiple Telly and Addy awards, as well as “Best Score” wins at the Iowa Film Awards. He recently wrote and produced a new jingle for Fareway Grocery Stores, which aired during the Super Bowl.

In July, Poulsen’s legacy will reach a global milestone. He’ll record two of his large orchestral compositions at London’s world-renowned Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Known globally as the site where The Beatles recorded nearly all their albums — not just “Abbey Road” — the studio has also hosted landmark recordings like “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd and the scores of iconic films including “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter.”

“This is a dream project,” Poulsen said. “To have my music recorded at Abbey Road, with the Royal Philharmonic, and with a pianist of Robert’s caliber — it’s humbling, thrilling, and deeply meaningful. I’ve always strived to create music that connects emotionally, and this gives those pieces a chance to reach a broader audience than ever before.”

And the hits will keep coming for Paulsen this summer. In August, he will be inducted into the Iowa Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Music Association. The award celebrates his lasting contributions to Iowa’s music scene through performance, education, and community connection.

Through all of it — the performances, the teaching, the composing — Poulsen’s goal has remained the same: to make music that matters and to inspire others with his compositions and performances.

And at Simpson, he’s helping the next generation do exactly that.

Time really does fly — faster than a rolling storm.

Where did the last 25 years go?

In many ways, it has been a turbulent quarter century — from the tragic events of 9/11 to the paralyzing pandemic of 2020. At the same time, we’ve experienced the many wonders of the digital revolution. Instagram and TikTok and AI, oh my!

Throughout that spectacular span, Simpson has continued to produce thousands of alumni making a meaningful impact around the world. They are champions of global change, innovative leaders in business and marketing, rising stars in science, healthcare, education, law and so much more.

In the pages that follow, you’ll meet just a sampling of our latest generation of impressive graduates — one from each Class of the 21st century.

PharmD Candidate,

University of North Carolina (Fall 2025)

B.A. Biochemistry

Simpson molded me into the scientist I am today. My mentors pushed me and believed in my potential to become a great scientist.

Cohesive Chemistry Connections

Sam Derning ’25 has earned his place in the nation’s top-ranked graduate program for pharmacy — the University of North Carolina. That’s an amazing accomplishment, especially when you consider his relative naivete about in-depth scientific studies when he arrived at Simpson.

“I didn’t have a clue about what research was,” he said. “As a sophomore, I attended an REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) session on campus, where I learned that research is super important for resume building and scientific discovery.”

So, Derning sought out Dr. Derek Lyons ’07, associate professor of chemistry and physics at Simpson, to see if he could get involved in research. His response was an enthusiastic, “yes.”

“What inspired me to take on Sam as a research student was his love for science and his interest in building the community around that,” said Lyons. “We had a senior project running and pulled in Sam to just jump in and be extra hands while getting mentored not just by me, but by the senior-level students.”

Big-Time Research Opportunities

From that moment, Derning was hooked on research and the rest, as they say, is history — or more accurately, science. Dr. Lyons helped Derning secure summer research opportunities at the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Colorado Medical Center, while also working side by side with him on multiple projects at Simpson.

Those prestigious experiences focused mainly on research surrounding life sciences, drug metabolism and prevention of overdose, and the like. This year, he continued his longitudinal research at Simpson related to enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. Also, this year, Derning enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something totally different, a research study he says that was “completely out of my wheelhouse.”

Led by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Aswati Subramanian, Derning teamed with classmates Layna Depping ’25, Sam Derning ’25, Paul Llamas ’25 and Maddy Streicher ’25 to conduct astrobiology research for NASA, funded by a grant from the space agency. Derning and the others had the rare privilege of collaborating with two NASA scientists in examining how microorganisms called tetrahedra can grow at hyper gravity.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much these experiences have impacted not only my growth as a scientist, but also as a person,” said Derning. “What you face in the lab challenges you both physically and mentally. Being able to get over those hurdles and fight through adversity, I think sophomore Sam would look at me now and be like, ‘Who is this guy?’”

Dream Destination

And it figures to only get better for Derning, when he begins his studies at UNC next fall. His dream is to become a pediatric oncology specialty pharmacist.

“Being a first-generation college student, I never imagined I would be able to attend the #1 pharmacy school in the nation,” said Derning. “It really means the world to me.”

No one is more impressed by his transformation from unsure sophomore to supremely confident Simpson graduate than Dr. Lyons. He’s eagerly anticipating what Derning will accomplish next.

“Sam has found his passion,” said Lyons. “And the community there in the [North Carolina] Research Triangle has everything a scientist would want to grow while doing projects that are going to impact society. So, this is big-time stuff. I’m excited to see where he goes.”

Associate Professor of Chemistry Derek Lyons ’07 is one of several Simpson faculty mentors who provided Sam Derning ’25 with research experience that helped him earn acceptance into the nation’s top pharmacy program at the University of North Carolina.

GRACE PORATH 24

M.A. Candidate, University of Northern Iowa, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

B.A.

Human Services

Simpson gave me time to to explore different opportunities … Through my degree in human services, I discovered a passion for mental health counseling.

All in the Family

Grace Porath ’24 is a third generation Simpson graduate, following the footsteps of her grandfather, Arnie Porath ’78 and her mom, Emily (Linn) Porath ’01. And now Grace is making the family proud as a graduate student at the University of Northern Iowa.

“I’m training to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a gerontology distinction,” said Porath. “I hope to help people understand the things they’ve been through and how those things affect their daily functioning.”

As she pursues her master’s degree, Porath is working as a graduate assistant for Dr. Olivia Chen. That experience is providing insights on best practices for training culturally competent counselors, including potential uses for AI in the field.

Porath says Simpson was integral in paving her path to graduate school, including playing a hands-on role in getting her into UNI.

“Simpson gave me time to explore different opportunities. My professors wrote letters of recommendation, the writing center helped present my best qualities on the application, and the career center helped me write my resume.”

Learning to Lead

At Simpson, Chase Henry ’23 took advantage of multiple leadership and internship opportunities that opened doors to a promising career in business management.

Today, Henry is a program manager with Innovative Captive Strategies, which offers businesses a non-traditional approach to insurance through what they call, “captive insurance.” In this model, businesses join together to form their own insurance group — a concept designed to create potential cost savings and more control in managing risks.

“I’m incredibly passionate about managing a captive insurance program for nearly 300 companies, including thousands of Amazon vans nationwide,” says Henry. “Every day, I learn something new and enjoy working with an innovative team that pushes boundaries.”

As he rises in his promising career, Henry is grateful for how Simpson showed him the way.

“The relationships I had with professors, coaches and advisers made campus feel like home. Simpson faculty and staff always challenged me to be the best person I can be and I carry that with me every day.”

CHASE HENRY 23

Program Manager, Innovative Captive Strategies

B.A. Economics: Finance Management

My experience at Simpson equipped me with the confidence and skills needed for success. The professional connections and mentorships I gained were key.

MADDIE (JANSEN) MAJOR 22

Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, UnityPoint Health

B.A. Health and Exercise Science, Biology

DPT University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine

DRAKE WOOD 21

J.D. Candidate, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

Senior Legislative Assistant, Water Strategies

B.A. Political Science

My anatomy knowledge and assessment skills are where they are today because of how well they were first taught to me at Simpson.

Caring Therapy for Sensitive Needs

Maddie (Jansen) Major ’22 provides physical therapy for medical needs most people don’t want to talk about — their pelvic health. Major has just begun her career at UnityPoint Grinnell, fresh from earning her DPT at the University of Iowa.

“It has always been a dream of mine to bring my education and healthcare experience back to a community in need,” said Major.

“One of the coolest things is that I get to be a safe space for those who have pelvic health concerns. They can share and express their concerns openly without judgment.”

Major’s many mentoring professors at Simpson prepared her exceptionally well for the rigors of becoming a DPT, as did her time working as an undergraduate assistant in Career Development. The combination of those experiences proved powerful.

“My professors made sure I was ready for graduate school and the curriculum made me a well-rounded individual who brings much more than anatomy, physiology and kinesiology skills to the table.”

Simpson helped me grow as a leader and advocate. I would not be here without my professors, friends and champions at Simpson who put me on this path.

Diving Into Legal Advocacy

Drake Wood ’21 is well on his way to earning his law degree in 2027. In addition to his legal studies, the former national debate champion also serves as a senior legislative assistant at Water Strategies. He helps represent various municipal, industrial and agricultural water users concerning federal matters.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing legislation I’ve helped develop get passed and signed into law,” said Wood.

“Much of what I do directly impacts municipal governments and local infrastructure, so it’s meaningful to know that my work can positively affect communities across the country.”

Wood says he’s very grateful to Simpson for preparing him to excel in all his pursuits.

“I have very fond memories of working closely with my professors and feeling their confidence and belief in me. They challenged me to be better and to pursue my passions.”

LEVI LEFEBURE 20

Membership Development Manager, Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)

B.A. History, Math and Political Science

Simpson fostered an environment of involvement. If you wanted to make a difference on campus, you were able to do so.

Going the Distance

As membership development manager for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), Levi Lefebure ’20 works to continually grow Iowa’s oldest and largest statewide business association.

“The coolest thing I get to do is travel the state learning about how many amazing companies there are right here in Iowa,” said Lefebure. “Last year, I had an event or meeting in just about half of Iowa’s 99 counties.”

Lefebure has earned a spot on the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s “Watch List,” which highlights up-and-coming community leaders. When he isn’t driving across the state, he’s running across the country, and soon the world — 26.2 miles at a time.

He says the “pure bliss” of completing Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., inspired his goal to run all seven of the Abbott World Major Marathons. He is well on his way, having already completed the Boston and Chicago Marathons. The remaining majors are in New York City, London, Tokyo, Sydney and Berlin, where he will compete in September.

JOHANNA BEIERLE 19

Social Media Strategist, Mall of America

B.A. Public Relations

[Simpson] College provided me with the knowledge, practical experience and networking opportunities necessary to thrive in the fastpaced world of social media.

Social Media Star

Few professionals enjoy a career that’s all about fun and games, but Johanna Beierle ’19 does. As social media strategist, she oversees the strategy and content creation for the Mall of America (MOA), Nickelodeon Universe and Crayola Experience Mall of America.

In her role, Beierle monitors guest sentiment while engaging with the Mall’s 32 million annual visitors to promote events, retailers, attractions and seasonal campaigns.

“Every day brings something fresh and unexpected. One day, I might be filming a thrilling rollercoaster point-of-view video and the next I could be capturing content of the legendary DJ Marshmello at our first-ever EDM pop-up rave.”

Beierle’s road to MOA was paved by several internships while at Simpson and a post-graduation internship with a Twin Cities advertising agency. That opportunity found her executing field marketing and movie promotion campaigns for major clients such as Lionsgate, Universal Pictures and Amazon Studios. Just six months later, she found her dream job at MOA.

Leveraging Connections

After graduating from Simpson in just two and a half years, Casey Nickel ’18 moved to Washington, D.C., to work for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst. Upon returning to Iowa, she has worked at the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Nyemaster Goode Law Firm, where she assisted with the firm’s government affairs practice as Director of Nyemaster Strategies.

Nickel left Nyemaster and founded Cupola Consulting, LLC, where she serves as president to provide lobbyists with a comprehensive legislative management package. The firm provides bill tracking and analysis, legislative communications, political action committee consulting, and political event planning to enable government affairs professionals with more tools to effectively advocate.

As of 2025, Cupola provides services to lobbying firms representing nearly 70 clients. Cupola also provides direct lobbying services, having partnered with CWL Group to directly represent 29 clients.

"Simpson encouraged me to think outside the box and pursue additional opportunities outside the classroom. The people I met there helped me grow exponentially and develop the necessary skills and connections to be successful.”

CASEY NICKEL 18

Founder & President, Cupola Consulting, LLC Director of Government Affairs, CWL Group

B.A. Political Science

Simpson’s encouragement to participate in multiple activities both in and out of the classroom provided flexibility to make the most of my college experience, accelerating my career after graduation.

BRITNEY APPELGATE

Vice President, Community Relations, Wells Fargo

B.A. Social Justice, Philosophy and Spanish

My [Simpson] professors, mentors and friends helped me build the confidence to take on leadership roles I might not have otherwise pursued.

Transforming Communities

As vice president for Community Relations at Wells Fargo, Britney Appelgate ’17 leads strategic charitable giving and community impact plans for Iowa and several other states throughout the Midwest. She manages grants to local nonprofit organizations to help create affordable housing, financial mobility, and small business growth.

Appelgate is especially proud to be part of a $700,000 grant awarded in 2023 for a game-changing project in Des Moines.

“We’re helping to fund a small business incubator on Center at 6th [Avenue] — the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the state,” said Appelgate. “The new building will open soon, and the impact will be transformative in supporting dozens of small businesses and driving broader economic development.”

Simpson has helped her open many career doors, especially through a trio of internships with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, United Way of Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

“Those opportunities allowed me to build a network of influential leaders before I even graduated college. My liberal arts education taught me so much about the world and expanded my horizons.”

LOUIS JOSLYN 16

Principal Scientist, Genentech

B.A. Math and Computer Science

Ph.D. Bioinformatics & Computational Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School

Pursuing the Science of Healing

Louis Joslyn ’16 is a principal scientist at Genentech, where he helps design clinical trials for drugs used in oncology, cancer immunotherapy and immunology.

“I’m driven by thinking about the patients who will end up being treated by the drugs I work on,” said Joslyn. “The types of drugs we are developing today were likely considered to be sci-fi 20 or 30 years ago.”

Joslyn’s impressive work with Genentech has already earned him two prestigious internal awards for “data-driven decision-making” and “scientific innovation.” The former two-time Academic All-American soccer player and NCAA Postgraduate Scholar is more than grateful for how well Simpson prepared him to thrive.

“My time at Simpson was pivotal,” said Joslyn. “My work demands that I interact with scientists, clinicians, doctors and businesspeople. Simpson’s emphasis on developing a broadly educated student has enabled me to interact better with people across all walks of life.”

Simpson allowed me to develop into an interdisciplinary student and researcher — an aspect I consider critical for successful research and collaboration in my field.

Innovative Strategist

Mariah K. Young ’15 serves as senior director for experience and innovation strategy at VML — a business growth partner with 26,000 employees worldwide that is “equal parts creative agency, consultancy, and technology powerhouse.”

At VML, Young brings innovation and design thinking expertise to drive business growth for clients, diagnosing the root of business challenges and developing solutions at “the intersection of business and human.”

“One of my more recognizable clients and larger projects has been developing the paid membership product from Walgreens Healthcare,” said Young. “This includes leading the agency team to define, design, concept and plan for going to market with a new way to interact with healthcare and pharmacy providers.”

She eagerly anticipates the next iteration of amazing advancements in her industry.

The use of LLMs [Large Language Models] and AI to augment how we think and deliver better insights has me inspired and curious. I’m excited to be leading the charge to define how AI will improve the depth and richness of strategy coming out of VML.”

K. YOUNG 15

Customer Experience and Growth Strategy

B.A. Integrated Marketing Communications

Professor Brian Steffen was the single biggest influence in helping to prepare and shape me as a person and professional. He challenged me to be a stronger critical thinker, while nurturing my natural curiosity.

MARIAH

Finding her Place in the World

Shanice Whitney ’14 has always hungered for international adventures. After teaching in Kuwait for four years, she returned to the U.S. for five years. But Whitney’s heart called her back to the Middle East for a one-year teaching assignment in Doha, Qatar, before accepting her current educator role in Dubai.

Her dream is to equip other educators to discover the joy of teaching and living abroad, through her Teach Travel Thrive initiative. She provides guidance, resources and support for teachers desiring to live and work outside of the U.S.

“I believe every teacher deserves the chance to explore the world and thrive,” said Whitney. “Teaching abroad has given me that gift, and I am dedicated to inspiring teachers who want to enjoy the same kind of journey.”

Whitney has never shied away from intimidating challenges — dating back to her days at Simpson.

“Simpson gave me the space to step into my natural role as a leader, which ultimately led to the founding of Teach Travel Thrive. I’ll always be grateful for that opportunity to grow.”

SHANICE WHITNEY 14

Elementary Teacher, Dubai, UAE Founder, Teach Travel Thrive

B.A. Elementary Education

Simpson helped me shape my ability to lead and inspire.

BRENTON MINISH 13

Director of Partnerships, Otto

B.A. Management

MBA Wake Forest University

Simpson has played a huge part in my success. It gave me exposure to areas I would have never been exposed to at other schools.

Team Player

Brenton Minish’13 has flourished in the animal health industry. His career started soaring at Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), where his team created a digital platform to help veterinary practices more efficiently engage customers and grow their businesses.

“Once we developed the platform, I was tasked with rolling it out and getting at least 100 animal hospitals using it within a year — a goal we achieved in six months,” said Minish. “We actually grew to more than 1,000 hospitals at which point our company realized it had outgrown itself.”

Minish then moved onto Otto, which acquired BI’s 1,000 partners. As Otto’s director of partnerships, he has played an integral role in helping the company grow its customer base to more than 3,000 veterinary offices nationwide.

JESSICA MALLOW GULLEY 12

President and CEO, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

B.M. Vocal Performance

M.A. Management, American University

My training at Simpson to be an opera singer and musician, and it’s in-depth music curriculum set me up better than anywhere in the country could have for a professional career.

Making Magical Music Memories

Sometimes you don’t end up performing the musical score you’ve envisioned for your life. Sometimes you end up unexpectedly rearranging the score and it becomes something even better — a beautiful symphony. Such is the case for Jessica Mallow Gulley ’12, whose musical journey has taken her places she never imagined.

“If you had told me in 2012 that a determined opera singer would be the CEO of a symphony orchestra, I might have laughed,” said Gulley. “But sometimes, your path finds you, as mine did, and I realized it was the perfect balance for all the skills and training I worked so hard to acquire.”

As president and CEO of the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Symphony, Gulley says she wears many hats. She plays the role of visionary, fundraiser, musical program designer, community partnership builder and more while overseeing a team of 380 employees.

Pursuing Innovation

Each year, Gulley works with more than 30 community partners to build symphony programs, which leads to many “cool” experiences.

“I get to work on commissions for new pieces of music with artists like Branford Marsalis, produce operas, create ballet productions and imagine new kinds of shows that keep the symphony relevant,” said Gulley. “We just produced our first hip-hop show with more than 25 local artists featured.”

Gulley’s original plan was to get a master’s degree in voice and become an opera performer. But after graduating from Simpson, she took a summer internship at Orchestra Iowa, where she fell in love with managing orchestras. So, she changed career course by earning a Master of Arts Management degree from American University while also working full time for the Washington (D.C.) Performing Arts.

After earning her master’s, Gulley enjoyed a four-year fundraising role with the Jacksonville (Fla.) Symphony, which led to accepting her current role — just three months before COVID rocked the world. She’s grateful for the Simpson education that taught her how to navigate extremely challenging, unchartered waters.

“In my multiple roles, I’m forced to stretch my brain over many different knowledge areas and activities. My music and marketing training I received at Simpson serves me well. Simpson gave me the solid foundation of opportunities to explore my skills, start my career early and gain the knowledge I use every day.”

“The [symphony orchestra] industry is shifting and I love being a driver of that,” says Gulley. “We push to feature living voices, center the perspectives of local artists and build genre-bending shows that challenge the norms.”

MICHAEL SCHWOLL 11

Sales Director, Grand Napa Vineyards

B.A. International Management

Simpson College helped me understand the importance of international business and marketing, especially in today’s world.

Doing Business in Good Taste

German-born Michael Schwoll ’11 had the good fortune of being hosted by legendary Simpson professor Joe Walt while attending Indianola High School as an exchange student. Schwoll knew that attending Simpson would set him up to thrive anywhere on the planet.

“My international marketing courses at Simpson were a big steppingstone,” said Schwoll. “They sparked my interest to travel more and learn about businesses in all parts of the world. My study trip to China and the World Exposition in Shanghai is a memory I will never forget.”

Since then, Schwoll has worked for a logistics and freight forwarding company in Hong Kong, where he also earned an industry certificate from the German Swiss International School. For the last 10 years, he’s served as the sales director for Grand Napa Vineyards in California.

“We conduct business all over Californa,” said Schwoll. “No days are the same and every challenge is unique. The winery is fully family owned and operated, so our operation is very dynamic and quick to adapt.”

TARA (CHRISTENSEN) WACHENDORF 10

President, GreenState Foundation Vice President, Public Relations, GreenState Credit Union

B.A. Marketing

Simpson is the best experience I could have asked for. It forced me to try new things, step outside my comfort zone and learn to communicate more confidently.

The Joy of Leading and Giving

If anyone ever exuded the best in college spirit, it was Tara (Christensen) Wachendorf ’10. The former student ambassador, homecoming queen and varsity athlete says she loved her days at Simpson. Her countless fond memories include starting all four years on the volleyball team, organizing the Goodwill Fashion Show, participating in Yell Like Hell, and a May Term trip to Ecuadorwhere she tasted a lemon ant and biked down a volcano.

Today, Wachendorf drives winning teams while holding dual leadership roles as president of GreenState Foundation and vice president of public relations for GreenState Credit Union. At the foundation, she vets local non-profits in Iowa and Illinois, granting funding for community service providers to support financial education, housing and children’s health.

“It’s pretty fulfilling and rewarding,” said Wachendorf. “There’s not a day in my career where I’m not either smiling, crying — or both — because we are making impacts in so many ways. And I get to hear the stories of the partners we fund.”

On Top of His Game

Josh Blackford ’09 admits he’s not the world’s biggest soccer fan, but the former Storm basketball player sure gets a kick out of it. As vice president of operations and stadium general manager for Major League Soccer (MLS) team Sporting Kansas City, he has the whole field covered.

It’s just the latest stop in a sport administration career filled with championship glory. He’s worked the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, MLB playoffs, NCAA Championships and many more pinnacle sporting events.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be part of some of the biggest events in sports,” said Blackford. “These are the kinds of opportunities I dreamt about as a kid.”

Blackford broke into his career while earning his master’s degree in counseling from Kansas State University, where he served as a graduate assistant in athletics operations. From there, he played similar roles at the University of California, Berkeley, and San Jose State University.

During his time in the San Francisco Bay area, Blackford enjoyed the thrill of working with the Golden State Warriors, the former Oakland Athletics and the former Oakland Raiders. He vividly recalls the days he would work an A’s day game, then have to hustle through the tunnel to work a Warriors game the same night.

JOSH BLACKFORD 09

Vice President, Operations & Stadium

General Manager, Sporting Kansas City

B.A. Sport Administration

M.S. Counseling & Student Development

Kansas State University

Simpson provided the foundation for my professional journey. It was the small college environment that helped make my education more personal, more relevant and more well-rounded.

“I would literally change my uniform while walking from the stadium to the arena. It was nonstop, 24/7, and I loved it. I just wanted to be around the energy, to learn, to contribute, to be a part of something special. That tunnel became more than a shortcut between venues — it was the symbol of the hustle, the commitment, and the dream I was chasing.”

Blackford poses with colleagues Derek Michelson (left) and Nic Vajen (right) after Sporting Kansas City hosted Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, 2024, in front of more than 72,000 fans.

His latest dream come true is playing a prominent role in helping Kansas City prepare to host the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2026.

“It’s a global moment watched by more than 5 billion people that will leave a lasting impact on Kansas City and the growth of soccer in America for generations to come. To play a role in that effort … is something I’ll carry forever.”

BENAY HICKS 08

Chief External Relations Officer, Book Harvest, Durham, N.C.

B.A. Psychology and Religion

MTS Boston University

Doctoral Student, Leadership Psychology, William James College

I’ll never be able to fully articulate what Simpson did for me...My professors were exceptional and didn’t just teach me the subject matter, they taught me about life.

Growing Literacy from the Get-Go

Benay Hicks ’08 is chief external relations officer for Book Harvest, a children’s literacy nonprofit based in Durham, N.C. Among her many roles, Hicks leads the external strategy for scaling the organization's "Books from Birth" program.

“I’ve developed the program’s materials and branding — creating home library kits that new families receive before leaving the hospital,” said Hicks. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we are helping to close opportunity gaps by ensuring that every child has access to books starting at birth.”

Hicks’ desire to make an impact where it matters most was cultivated in many ways during her days at Simpson. She fondly recalls her role as service chaplain while co-leading spring and fall break trips to Mexico, South Carolina, and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

“I’m grateful to Simpson for mailing me that VHS recruitment tape all those years ago. It changed my life in so many incredible ways.”

Enlightening Educator

As a Simpson liberal arts graduate, Danielle Farrell ’07 is the quintessential lifelong learner with an enduring commitment to education. Farrell taught high school English for 15 years before transitioning into adult learning and development roles.

In 2023, Farrell became employee development partner with The Iowa Clinic. There she curated an employee development program that prioritized strategies designed to reduce compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals.

“I think there is a tipping point occurring in regard to understanding compassion fatigue and its impact on productivity and engagement,” said Farrell. “The landscape seems to be shifting, and employees are beginning to prioritize experiences that are more human-centered.”

Most recently, Farrell has just begun her work as a leadership training specialist for Artemis Arc in Alexandria, Va.

DANIELLE FARRELL 07

Training Specialist, Artemis Arc, Alexandria, Va.

B.A. English and Secondary Education

M.A. Creative Writing, Fairleigh Dickinson University

M.A. Educational Leadership, Drake University

Ph.D. Education, Drake University

I can’t begin to describe the vast ways that Simpson has contributed to my life journey, both professionally and personally.

CHUCK PETERSEN TAMMY (FOSTER) EVRARD 06 05

Senior Manager, Team Operations, Minnesota Vikings

B.A. Business Management

M.S. Sport Administration, Canisius University

Simpson taught me to be responsible, organized and how to prepare for life experiences. It challenged and pushed me to grow in areas outside my comfort zone.

Finding His SKOL Purpose

Chuck Petersen ’06 is the picture of persistence. He’s paid his dues — and then some — to become an important behind-the-scenes player in the NFL.

His numerous internships included stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Omaha Nighthawks, Carolina Panthers, Omaha Beef, USA Football, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Iowa Western Community College football.

He then turned a second internship with the Vikings into a fulltime position, and several promotions later he now serves as senior manager of team operations.

“Our department prides itself on supporting our players, coaches and football staff with a first class, professional and team-first mindset.”

Vice President, Brand Partnerships, Atmosphere TV

Co-Owner, Evolve Yoga & Fitness

B.A. Corporate Communications

I think the biggest lesson from my time at Simpson is that it’s valuable to have a unique point of view and not be lost in a sea of sameness. The hard things are worth the challenge — challenges bring the biggest reward.

Prolific Brand Builder

Tammy (Foster) Evrard ’05 has done virtually everything in the advertising industry, since landing her first job at Martha Stewart Living in Chicago 20 years ago.

In 2019, Evrard became vice president of brand partnerships for Atmosphere TV, which hails itself as the “world’s leading streaming TV service for businesses.”

“We are starting to build foundational tech that will make real-time connections with who is in front of our Atmosphere TV streaming experiences,” said Evrard. “We can now deliver a more customized, hyper-targeted message to customers throughout their daily journey.”

Additionally, Evrard's work involves developing the “SheLeads” women’s initiative at Atmosphere. She also operates Evolve Yoga & Fitness in Chicago with her husband.

Entrepreneurial Difference Maker

Orphaned at age 12 and raised by his grandmother in Zimbabwe, Africa, Fungisai Nota ’04 has taken full advantage of every educational opportunity available to him. Attending a United Methodist High School in Zimbabwe opened the door for him to attend Simpson, where his desire to serve others deepened.

“I recognized that my calling was in serving people living at the intersection of poverty and healthcare disparities,” said Nota. “So, I went to work for a healthcare nonprofit [AIDS Care Group] in Philadelphia. That firsthand experience gave me the confidence to be an entrepreneur.”

Nota is the founder and CEO of four businesses seeking to improve the fortunes of others. Three of those businesses — Nota Consulting Group, Proverbs Capital and Pharmacy Solutions Simplified — serve healthcare organizations in 34 states. Partnering with retail pharmacies, their combined efforts have benefitted more than 10,000 people representing vulnerable populations.

This year, Nota launched his health tech business, Navala Global, with the vision to serve at least 30 countries in Africa while hoping to add South American countries by 2027.

FUNGISAI NOTA 04

Founder & CEO, Nota Consulting Group, Proverbs Capital, Pharmacy Solutions

Simplified (PSS), Navala Global Author, "Promise Me – You Will Take Care of Your Brother"

B.A. Economics, Finance, International Business

M.S. Economics, Iowa State

MPH Public Health, Drexel University

Ph.D. Economics, University of Nevada)

JAKE ABEL 03

Head of Marketing Strategy, Operations & Media, Delta Air Lines

B.A. Management

MBA Brand and Product Management, University of Wisconsin

My education at Simpson is what built the foundation of who I am — a driven, people-first leader who sees the big picture and leverages a wellrounded background to connect strategic dots.

The liberal arts education I received at Simpson made me open to embracing interdisciplinary solutions to any problems we aim to solve.

Soaring with Delta

After serving in logistics and operations with the Iowa and Minnesota Air National Guard, Jake Abel’s ’03 storied career as a marketing leader was set for takeoff. Today, he’s flying high at Delta Air Lines, where he is the head of marketing strategy, operations and media.

“I lead a team of more than 130 marketers responsible for developing Delta’s marketing strategy,” said Abel. “We build the capabilities that power our over 200 campaigns every year, as we look to build the world’s best airline brand.”

Fueled by his Simpson business management degree and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Abel’s ascension in marketing began at Nestle USA in 2009, where he held a variety of roles. From there, he worked on many other big brands during career stops in Los Angeles, Tampa and San Francisco. He moved to Atlanta in 2014 with Delta and has been working remotely since 2020 in Bozeman, Mont., where he lives with his partner, Cullan.

Matters of Life and Death

Meagan (Hoxmeier) Lineberger ’02 knew she wanted to work in medicine during her senior year at Simpson, when a member of her sorority had a medical emergency. Lineberger had planned a very different path for her life, she says, “but that experience opened my eyes.”

So, after graduating from Simpson with a degree in speech communications and rhetoric, Lineberger went on to get her nursing diploma and became a critical care nurse for 17 years. At that point, she decided to dive deeper into medicine, proceeding to earn her BS in nursing from the University of Alabama and her MS in nursing from Duke University — graduating magna cum laude from both programs.

“The fact that I graduated with such high honors from the Ivy league of nursing and medical schools reinforced what I had been told from my early days at Simpson — you really can do anything if you put in the time and work.”

As a vascular surgery nurse practitioner, Lineberger provides care for a large, diverse area in North Carolina. “My patients are usually impoverished with low health literacy and have not had easy access to good health care. My practice offers a ‘last chance’ before amputation of a limb, fingers or toes due to severe peripheral arterial and/or venous disease.”

When she’s not working to save lives, Lineberger has the tender task of caring for those who have died. As a medical examiner, she considers such a role a sacred privilege.

“Giving the deceased in my community one last medical care appointment is so important,” said Lineberger. “It provides a sense of closure for families. I like to think I provide a small sense of calm for them when their world is turned upside down. It’s pretty rewarding to be called a last responder.”

Nurse Practitioner, Vascular Surgery, Vascular Solutions of North Carolina

Medical Examiner, Office of Chief Medical Examiner of North Carolina

B.A. Rhetoric and Speech Communications

RN Watts College of Nursing

BSN University of Alabama

MSN Duke University

I cannot say enough positive things about starting your educational journey at a place like Simpson, where the faculty and students are your family and mentors.

Want to read more about these outstanding alumni and others? Please use the QR code to visit the College Website and see how Simpson alumni are making a profound difference in their careers and communities, just as you are.

Gaining a World of Wisdom

In a life that has pivoted from politics to healthcare IT — from the White House to the UK — Distie (Carstensen) Profit ’01 has been on the front lines of a world experiencing dramatic change.

While at Simpson, Profit worked on George W. Bush’s presidential campaign. Following his victory, Profit went to Washington, D.C., to study at American University while enjoying some rare opportunities.

“I was able to finish my final semester and work on the Inauguration Committee — and then in the White House [as a presidential scheduler],” said Profit. “Working for the president of the United States is one of the greatest honors and privileges of all times.”

During those days, Profit was also busy earning her master’s in campaign management from George Washington University. She was working at the White House during the tragic events and aftermath of 9-11. In the government shake up that followed, she found herself moving into a new role.

“I was asked to join the transition team for the largest structural change of the U.S. government with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security,” said Profit. “Spending two years travelling with Secretary Tom Ridge all over the world to ensure security for citizens everywhere was the ultimate example of living through purpose.”

Profit’s purpose shifted to Healthcare IT in 2005, when she joined Cerner — now Oracle Health. She moved to the UK in 2008 and has remained with the company while holding a variety of leadership roles.

“I lead a team of amazing people to work with healthcare providers in using digital and data to ensure they have the right information at the right time, in the right place,” said Profit, now also a British citizen. “The work we are doing around the use of AI … is going to be industry changing and lifesaving.”

DISTIE (CARSTENSEN) PROFIT 01

Vice President and Country General Manager, Oracle Health, UK

B.A. Communications and Political Science

M.A. Campaign Management, George Washington University

[Simpson] professors were wonderful and really helped me balance academics with gaining practical experiences in my fields of study.

Placing Things in God’s Hands

Tyler Kamerman ’00 has held numerous positions in sales and financial services, and he’s an in-demand voice over and on camera talent with his own podcast, “Pursue Your Passion.” His current passion is serving as chief development officer for Many Hands — a faith-based international nonprofit with campuses in Haiti and Abaco, Bahamas, and a local focus through its Many Hands Thrift Markets.

“This wasn’t something I was looking for,” said Kamerman. “The founder/CEO of Many Hands and I interned together at Pella Corp. 25 years ago and we’ve always stayed in touch. He threw me a curveball with this position offer in 2022, and I really felt this was where God was leading me.”

Kamerman partners with businesses, organizations, churches and individuals to raise funds in support of Many Hands.

TYLER KAMERMAN 00

Chief Development Officer, Many Hands

B.A. Corporate Communication

Simpson allowed me to build relationships with professors and others, which prepped me for building relationships in the workplace.

Vance Accepted to SLMath Research Program

Dr. Katherine Vance

Dr. Katherine Vance, associate professor of mathematics, has been selected for the 2025 Summer Research in Mathematics program at the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute in Berkeley, California.

Vance will spend two weeks in residence to advance a collaborative research project that began during her 2024 sabbatical. “This opportunity recognizes the work my collaborators and I are doing,” Vance said. “Our time at SLMath will fuel years of progress ahead.”

N.Y. Times Journalist Presents Culver Lecture

Jennifer Medina, political correspondent for The New York Times, drew a large audience during her visit in April to deliver the 14th annual Culver Lecture, which focused on Latino political identity. Medina’s talk explored the complexity of Latino voting patterns and their influence on American politics.

Faculty, Students Earn Seed Coalition Awards

A Simpson faculty member and three students have been named 2025 Presidents’ and Engaged Campus Award winners by the Seed Coalition, recognizing their outstanding contributions to civic and community engagement.

Simpson College Student Government Association Vice President Illiana Murphy ’25 received the Presidents’ Student Leadership Award for her extensive leadership across campus, including in student government, as an interfaith intern and religion tutor, as well as an intern with Advocacy Strategies and participation as a Culver Fellow.

Meanwhile, Simpson Philosophy Professor John Pauley received the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award for his work in the Critical Thinking in Systems Course, where students explored social issues and solutions, culminating in a Dec. 13 presentation to the campus and local communities.

Pauley and students Jack Campbell ’27 and Ava Carnes ’27 (both pictured left) were invited by the City of Indianola to research adolescent mental health services and develop a resource map identifying gaps in Warren County. In recognition of their work with Dr. Pauley, Campbell and Carnes received the Emerging Innovation Award.

Speech and Debate Team Takes Third at Nationals

Simpson College captured third place in Overall Sweepstakes at the 45-team Pi Kappa Delta National Speech & Debate Tournament hosted by Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, in March. Simpson claimed second place in Debate Sweepstakes.

Simpson’s strong showing featured a pair of individual national runner-up honors: Garrett Bond ’26 in Novice IPDA Debate and Sydni Powell ’25 in Congressional Debate.

Other season highlights included Tiana Brownen’s team claiming first place at the 25-team Gorlok Gala hosted by Webster University, St. Louis — the largest tournament Simpson competes in outside of nationals.

Also, this year, Marisa Mayo, assistant director of Speech and Debate, received the 2024 Bob R. Derryberry Award from Pi Kappa Delta, which honors outstanding early-career educators. The award was presented at the organization’s national convention in New Orleans.

Espy Receives George Washington Carver Medal

The Hon. Mike Espy, the nation’s first African American U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former U.S. representative from Mississippi, received the George Washington Carver Medal on Jan. 30, as part of George Washington Carver celebrations at Simpson College.

Espy’s passion for solving agricultural challenges, including his work in fighting rampant discrimination against black farmers, is rooted in his father’s close connection to George Washington Carver. Espy’s father, Henry W. Espy Sr., studied directly under Carver and served as his lab assistant at Tuskegee College. Carver’s mentorship paved the way for Espy’s father to become the first African American county agent for the USDA Extension Service in Arkansas.

Marketing Receives National Recognition

Simpson’s Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication earned two gold and two silver distinctions in this year’s 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

The marketing team received gold honors for Instagram content highlighting Inauguration and Homecoming weekend last fall and for its “Here for It” integrated marketing campaign to help drive student recruitment yield for Fall 2024. Silver award recognition was given for the Fall 2024 issue of Simpson: The Magazine and for the refresh of the College’s website, created in partnership with OHO Interactive.

Simpson Earns Tree Campus USA Award

Simpson was one of only 10 Iowa institutions to receive the 2024 Tree Campus USA Award presented by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in April. Qualifying colleges must meet five core standards: a campus tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for the campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and a student service-learning project.

Simpson’s Sustainability Task Force and the Sustainability Club hosted the College’s annual Arbor Day Tree Planting event on April 25. This year, 12 native trees were planted across campus.

Simpson Shines on Campus Day, #ONESimpsonDay

Students, faculty, staff and alumni turned out in force to be part of Simpson’s Campus Day on April 2. Overall, 42 teams rallied together to take part in 46 campus and community projects.

Generous College supporters also made #ONESimpsonDay a huge success.

$135,019

Students Present at Research and Creativity Symposium

More than 170 students presented their research projects at the 15th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium in April. Participants showcased their work through oral presentations, posters, artistic performances and class panel discussions.

“What makes the symposium especially valuable is the chance for us to share our work with people from different backgrounds and disciplines,” said Jace Howard ’25. “The broader audience can offer diverse feedback we might not receive elsewhere, often being focused primarily on our own fields.”

Honors Convocation

Celebrates Scholarship

More than 100 students received awards during this spring’s Simpson’s annual Honors Convocation, which celebrates academic excellence, leadership and service across all disciplines.

In addition to student recognition, Jeremy Griffin, assistant professor of English was honored with the Distinguished Research Award.

Simpson Contingent Attends NAACP Event

Simpson student leaders, faculty, staff and alumni attended the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in Des Moines in December. The event celebrated those making a difference in the greater Des Moines community.

Pictured above (left to right) are: Adrian Hawkins ’14, academic advisor, Simpson Online; Eh "Moo" Say ’25; Jennifer Chittenden, director of Workforce Partnerships; Allie Martinez ’23 , ACDEI representative and loan coordinator, Financial Aid; Corteney Louis ’25, president of Black Student Union; Dr. Nick Payton, assistant professor of Human Services; Nina Cardamone, dairy products inspector, State of Iowa; and Dr. John Cardamone, director of International Education and Study Abroad, Simpson.

STORM

Softball Slugs Way to Conference Crown, NCAA Tourney

Simpson softball advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament this season after rewriting the record books to claim a share of its first American Rivers Conference title since 2010 — and its eighth overall.

The Storm reached the opening round NCAA regional title showdown after a thrilling 3-2 win over host St. Mary’s (Minn.), but the Saints avenged that loss by defeating Simpson 10-2 in the winnertake-all game of the double elimination tourney. The Storm finished the season 34-9, notching its most wins in 25 years.

During the regular season, Simpson set school records for most home runs (46), runs driven in (264) and team batting average (.355).

A-R-C Position Player of the Year Megan Heidelbauer ’26 led the way with a .527 batting average while belting 15 homers and driving in 66 runs. Ashlyn Steen ’26 hit .464 with a team-leading 24 stolen bases.

“Winning a conference championship in one of the toughest softball leagues in the country is an amazing feeling,” said ninth-year Head Coach Brent Matthias, whose staff earned A-R-C Coaching Staff of the Year honors. “It really shines a light on the hard work this year’s team put in to reach their goals”.

Not only were the Storm a force at the plate, but the pitchers posted the second lowest ERA in the conference with a 2.55 team mark. Emma LaFave ’26 stood tall on the hill, notching an 11-1 record with a 2.70 ERA.

Eight Storm players received A-R-C All-Conference distinction. First Team selections included Heidelbauer, Steen, Alexis Ehlers ’25 and Kate Kriegel ’25. LaFave, Katie Shaner ’27, Caelynn Obleton ’26 and Mackenzie James ’27 were all named to the Second Team.

Patterson Named Field Athlete of the Year

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) honored Ulysses Patterson ’25 as its Midwest Field Athlete of the Year for his brilliant indoor season.

Patterson earned his third All-American honor at the NCAA Indoor National Championships with an eighth-place finish in the heptathlon. Earlier, Patterson broke the school record by notching 5,021 points to win the A-R-C Indoor Championship.

Six Men’s Gymnasts Reach Nationals

Simpson sent six competitors to the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Gymnastics Championships, hosted by the University of Michigan. Brian Rollison ’27 and Jake Smith ’27 earned spots as all-around competitors, while four other Storm gymnasts qualified in individual events. Alex Catchpole ’26 returned for the third consecutive year to compete on pommel horse and parallel bars. Alex Campbell ’28 qualified on still rings, Braxton Jones ’28 showcased his talents on vault, and Paul Tiedemann ’27 secured a spot on high bar. Rollison led the way, becoming the first gymnast in program history to reach the NCAA Finals.

Women’s Wrestling Sends Nine to Nationals

Tally Tallies Top 10 Finish

Kaelyn Tally ’26 turned in one of her best vaults of the season to claim ninth place at the NCGA National Championships in Saint Peter, Minn., narrowly missing NCAA All-American status. She did receive recognition from the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA), earning Second Team honors after posting an impressive 9.730 vault average.

For the first time in program history, the Simpson College women's wrestling team sent multiple wrestlers to the NCWWC Championships in Coralville, Iowa.

Gracie Waage ’27 (103); Sarah Zimmerman ’27 (110); Layla Phillips ’28 (110); Ashley Cannon ’27 (124); Dionni GarciaVasquez ’28 (131); Paige Gershmel ’28 (138); Annelise Obermark ’28 (145); Breanna Wier ’27 (160); and Keeley Kehrli ’27 (160) all qualified for nationals.

Kehrli (pictured above) fell just one win shy of earning All-American honors, reaching the quarterfinals to complete her season with a 34-8 record. Gershmel (39-11) and Obermark (32-6) joined Kehrli in reaching 30+ wins.

Haley Rasmussen ’25 (left) and Molly Lutmer ’25 (right) provided a lethal 1-2 shooting force this season. Game-in, game-out, their relentless assault of three-pointers often overwhelmed the opposition and kept the Storm rolling to a 15-win season and third place conference finish.

“There were times when they were both feeling it and there wasn’t anything the other team could do to stop them,” said Brian Niemuth, head women’s basketball coach. “I just had to sit there and remind myself to enjoy it — because this isn’t going to happen again.”

Rasmussen drained a school-record 75 treys to top the league, while shooting a remarkable 51.7 percent from that range to lead all NCAA divisions. Lutmer added 70 three-pointers and was the league’s second-best scorer with 19.1 points per game. Both eclipsed 1,000 career points and leave Simpson among the top five in program history for made three-pointers.

Niemuth hasn’t seen anything like it in his 38 seasons coaching Simpson.

“This was a generational thing to have two shooters like Haley and Molly. I don’t think I’ve had a pair that was able to make that high of a percentage with such a high volume of three-point attempts. They are a unique tandem.”

Despite their dominant play, Lutmer and Rasmussen were anything but showy on the court. Both are extremely competitive, but very even-keeled in their demeanor — preferring to let their games do the talking.

“I don’t know if I said a word my freshman year,” said Rasmussen. “But over these last four years, I’ve definitely grown in my leadership, confidence and finding my voice.”

The shooting stars didn’t meet until sophomore season when Lutmer transferred into the program. They roomed together and became close friends on and off the court, while quickly gaining a deep appreciation for each other’s basketball gifts.

“My first impression coming in was she [Haley] just seemed like a poised, confident player —very much a leader by example,” said Lutmer. “I have always respected her and am just grateful to have shared the court with Haley.”

The feelings are mutual. “Molly was always our go-to person,” said Rasmussen. “If I was kind of down on myself, I knew that she would be there to pick me up…we just had a connection that no one else had, it was really special.”

Trying to replace what they brought and meant to the program will be a tall task.

“I don’t think it will sink in until the first day of practice,” said Niemuth. That’s when it will hit me the hardest.”

Myers Earns Presidential Honor

Deborah Myers ’74 has been honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the nation’s highest civilian recognition for volunteer service. Myers received the prestigious award during a special ceremony in New York City in June 2024.

Since graduating from Simpson with a degree in sociology and social justice, Myers has embarked on a life of service. She first worked as a probation officer and mediator, creating programs for at-risk youth. But a 1993 car accident changed Myers’ path, leading her to explore acupressure and the healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. She became certified and launched Deborah Myers Wellness in 1995.

Myers’ signature nine-step self-care routine, the Daily Clean Your House Flow®, is now used by schools and organizations across the country, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Her work empowers individuals, especially youth, to manage stress and boost well-being through simple, daily techniques. She continues to lead wellness programs from her home in Sonoma County, California.

“I couldn’t have done it all without the environment Simpson created,” she said. “I couldn’t have begun that way of belief.”

Births / Adoptions

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

Delaney Busby, January 29, 2024 to Bayley Fleshner Busby ‘15 and Dylan Busby.

Katrina Hartman Greenwalt ‘20 and Austin Greenwalt ‘20 married June 1, 2024. The couple resides in Circle Pines, Minn.

Kennedy Horton Wilson ‘12 and Joe Wilson were married November, 2024. The couple resides in Altoona, Iowa.

Foxie Fern Dooley, May 22, 2023, to Dustin Dooley ‘02 and Jeni Dooley.

Bennett Ott, May 31, 2024 to Megan Miller Ott ‘17 and Andrew Ott.

In an effort to be better stewards of our resources, the Class Notes portion of Touring the Years is published electronically. 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 alumni.office@simpson.edu.

In Memoriam

Evelyn Swagel Van Syoc ‘48

December 31, 2024, Toledo, Iowa

Mary Christian Chisman ‘49

March 1, 2025, Cherokee, Iowa

Dawn Shearer Dixon ‘51

November 28, 2024, Indianola, Iowa

Viola (Annie) Roed ‘51

April 7, 2025, Mount Ayr, Iowa

H. Maxine Robinson ‘52

November 23, 2024, Des Moines, Iowa

Mary Bonnett Craft ‘52

March 29, 2025, Des Moines, Iowa

Marion Barnard Akes ‘52

March 15, 2025, Osceola, Iowa

Phyllis Durham Powell ‘52

December 27, 2024, Clayton, Ohio

Keith Nichols ‘55

March 10, 2025, Dallas, Texas

Janice Meadows Farley ‘55

January 19, 2025, Mt Prospect, Illinois

Stephanie Westrum Quick ‘56

December 19, 2024, Des Moines, Iowa

Donald “Don” Roberts ‘57

December 5, 2024, Milton, Wisconsin

Margaret Olson McDonald ‘57

January 20, 2025, Hudson, Ohio

Pauline Kay Mumby Crossett ‘57

February 23, 2025, Indianola, Iowa

Jana Miller McDonald ‘58

January 19, 2025, Vermillion, South Dakota

Doriene Crouse Neill ‘58

February 14, 2025, Indianola, Iowa

Janice Acker Tidgren ‘59

February 12, 2025, Camdenton, Missouri

Jerry White ‘60

February 13, 2025, Mount Ayr, Iowa

Elizabeth Miller Youngberg ‘61

April 17, 2025, West Des Moines, Iowa

Judith Hinkley Schatz ‘62

December 10, 2024, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dorothy Binau Higdon ‘62

November 25, 2024, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Marcia Tschirgi Kirkley ‘62

April 4, 2025, Aurora, Colorado

Robert “Bob” Dietrich ‘63

January 28, 2025, Iowa City, Iowa

Donald Arendt ‘64

March 19, 2025, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Peter Getz ‘64

February 17, 2025, East Moline, Illinois

Richard Kruse ‘65

November 25, 2024, Ankeny, Iowa

Martin Bishop ‘65

February 10, 2025, Indianola, Iowa

Thomas Cappel ‘66

December 29, 2024, Atlantic, Iowa

Timothy Wilson ‘68

December 31, 2024, Des Moines, Iowa

Verle McGraw ‘68

December 12, 2024, Pleasantville, Iowa

Linda Miller Chinn ‘69

February 10, 2025, Fort Pierce, Florida

Richard Cohen ‘70

December 24, 2024, Irvington, New York

Andrew “Steve” Healey ‘70

January 19, 2025, Toms River, New Jersey

Dennis Moore ‘72

December 14, 2024, Des Moines, Iowa

Everett Kephart ‘73

January 15, 2025, New Virginia, Iowa

Mark Burns ‘79

February 9, 2025, Jupiter, Florida

Marilee Reetz ‘81

January 20, 2024, Sun City, Arizona

Jana Johnson Teachout ‘88

March 5, 2025, Van Meter, Iowa

David Dierking ‘95

January 12, 2025, Indianola, Iowa

Justin Terry ‘04

January 4, 2025, Polk City, Iowa

Matthew Turnley ‘20

March 28, 2025, Manchester, Kansas

Simpson Mourns Loss of Former Longtime Faculty Members

Dr. Owen Duncan

March 21 Des Moines, Iowa

Duncan taught history at Simpson from 1969 to 2007. He and a group of professors helped create Simpson’s Cornerstone’s Study program. “If ever there was a fit between a professor and a college, Duncan and Simpson were a splendid match,” wrote Joe Walt in his history of Simpson College, “Beneath the Whispering Maples.”

Dr. Janet (Jan) Louise (Hart) Heinicke

January 12, 2025, Johnston, Iowa

From 1982 to 2001, Dr. Heinicke served as chair of Simpson’s Department of Art, and for 13 of those years, she also chaired the Fine Arts Division. Though she officially retired in 2001, her dedication to education continued as she taught as adjunct faculty at Simpson until 2004, and later at the Des Moines Art Center, as well as offering lessons from her home.

Gerry Berry ’67 Recalls His History-Making Mission

Five decades have passed since Colonel Berry, USMC Ret., flew his daring rescue mission to the U.S. Embassy in Saigon in the final days of the Vietnam War. It’s a story he’s shared countless times, and the memories are as vivid as if it all happened yesterday.

“More than anything I remember the chaos and massive amounts of people trying to get out,” said Berry. “Unfortunately, there was no way to get them all out.”

Berry stands next to the CH-46 helicopter he flew in Vietnam, while speaking at an event on April 29, 2025, in Irvine, Calif., commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind during the Fall of Saigon.

Not What He Expected

As part of Operation Frequent Wind, Berry helped rescue more than 7,000 Vietnamese and Americans over an intense two-day span on April 29-30, 1975. During recent media interviews with CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, BBC and others to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the event, Berry shared anew how the incredible drama played out.

“I thought it was going to be the simplest operation anybody ever had,” said Berry. “My mission was essentially just to go to the embassy and pick up the ambassador [Graham Martin] and take him to the command ship. So, I was pumped about that — I thought it was kind of a nice honor.”

Ambassador Martin had ordered the evacuation of Saigon, as the city came under fierce attack from the North Vietnamese. Berry, flying under the call signal of Lady Ace 09, was the first to arrive at the embassy, landing at 1 p.m. on April 29. But at that time, Martin insisted on staying behind so that thousands of others could be airlifted from the embassy, which had become the impromptu emergency staging area as the Dao Compound near the airport runways became inaccessible.

So, instead of taking Ambassador Martin to safety, Berry’s mission became so much more than he bargained for. He proceeded to airlift more than 300 people to the command ship — making 15 round trips between the ship and the embassy over the next 18 hours, nonstop.

“It’s obviously the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Berry. “The mental part is draining when you’re landing on carriers, the weather is not good, and most of the flying is at night.”

Time for More Assertive Action

By 4 a.m., April 30, Berry and his wingman were the only 2 of 71 pilots who began the mission still flying — the others had returned to base long ago. Thoroughly exhausted and growing increasingly concerned about running out of time to safely retrieve the ambassador amidst escalating danger, Berry made a bold move.

Sitting on the embassy rooftop, he called the Marine security guard over and said, “Go tell the ambassador that Lady Ace 09 is not leaving the roof until he’s on board. Then I tell everybody in my best aviator voice, ‘The president sends an order.’”

Finally, the ambassador boarded, and Berry brought him to safety, making one of the last flights out of Vietnam. Berry jokes about the power play, noting that President Ford and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger could have ordered the ambassador out, but they didn’t.

“I always tell people that the ambassador to Vietnam was ordered out by that roguishly handsome global soldier Gerry Berry from Des Moines, Iowa — and Simpson College.”

Degree to Distinction

Little did Berry realize when he earned his history degree from Simpson that he himself would become such a profound part of history. He remains grateful for all that Simpson did to prepare him for a remarkable 25-year military career that included earning three Distinguished Flying Crosses.

“I always tell people that I got the greatest education I could ask for at Simpson. Dr. [Joe] Walt was kind of my sponsor there and being captain of the football team really helped to shape me.”

Berry had a public relations job lined up after Simpson, but after getting his draft notice, his plans had to change. One of his friends suggested he take a test in Des Moines for the Marine Corps officer program. After passing the test, he noticed a giant poster of a marine standing by an F4 Phantom jet, which instantly inspired his future.

“I asked the OSO [Operational Support Officer], ‘Could I do that?’’ The OSO said it would require passing another test, which Berry did. “So, they sent me to Great Lakes Naval Station for a physical. I passed that, and the rest is why you and I are talking. I flew for 25

Berry starred as football team captain and quarterback during his days at Simpson.

701 N. C Street

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Simpson will welcome alumni, families and friends back to campus October 24–26 for Homecoming 2025. The weekend offers a chance to reconnect with classmates, celebrate our shared Simpson experience, and enjoy the energy and spirit that define fall on campus.

Weekend highlights include the Alumni Awards Ceremony to recognize several Simpson graduates for their professional achievements, service and ongoing contributions to the College and their communities.

Saturday’s festivities include a tailgate before the Homecoming football game. The Simpson community is invited to join in for an afternoon of food, conversation and Storm pride. This year’s tailgate will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and a dedicated area for children’s games — something for all ages.