InaugurationInaugurationJAY K. SIMMONS, Ph.D.

SIM

PSON COLLEGE

IO

WA.

IND I A N O LA ,

M A R C H 2 0 , 2 0 1 4

SuccessPAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

THE INAUGURATION OF

Jay K. Simmons, Ph.D.AS THE TWENT Y-THIRD PRESIDENT

OF SIMPSON COLLEGE

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

AT TWO O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON

THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

307 WEST ASHL AND

INDIANOL A, IOWA

A RECEPTION IN THE KENT CAMPUS CENTER

WILL FOLLOW THE CEREMONY

Simpson CollegeSimpson CollegeSimpson College is a United Methodist-affiliated institution that claims among its alumni the famous scientist, George Washington Carver, who came to Simpson in 1890 after being rejected at another college because of the color of his skin. Carver said later, “At Simpson I found the kind of people who made me believe I was a human being.”

Simpson has been named one of the top ten comprehensive liberal arts colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges Guide, and was recently listed as one of the “Best Bang for the Buck” liberal arts schools in the nation by Washington Monthly. Additionally, Peterson’s Competitive Colleges consistently lists Simpson as one of the approximately 440 colleges and universities that the top students in the nation attend.

In 2011, Simpson implemented a new ‘hands-on” approach to the foundational liberal arts component of the Simpson Experience. This new methodology builds upon the strengths of the traditional liberal arts approach to undergraduate education, but adapts it to the needs of current students and future employers. This integrative process links the historic mission of the institution to educating students to become productive, engaged citizens.

John Wesley’s United Methodist legacy of commitment to social justice and the good of the general community is alive and well at Simpson. Most students take part in campus-sponsored organizations or projects that contribute to the more than 41,000 hours of volunteer service each year.

Simpson College is in a position of strength as it welcomes new leadership in Jay and Jenné Simmons. With campuses in Indianola, West Des Moines and Ankeny, Simpson has the unique advantage of providing a small college education to its students while maximizing the many internship and career opportunities afforded by being so close to Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines. Enrollment is optimal, retention numbers are growing and the college’s endowment is strong at $82 million. The investment in new facilities like the Kent Campus Center and the Steven Johnson Fitness Center reflect the commitment to providing an environment that welcomes students to embark on their educational and personal journeys beneath the whispering maples.

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Jay K. SimmonsJay K. Simmons, Ph.D.We are pleased to receive Jay K. Simmons, Ph.D., as Simpson College’s 23rd president. He has been serving as president since June 2013.

Dr. Simmons is a scholar, educator, strategist, fundraiser and leader. His commitment to a liberal arts education – especially an education based in the United Methodist traditions, where he has spent the bulk of his career – started when he enrolled at Birmingham-Southern College and has now led him to Simpson College. In each of his professional roles, he has promoted integrative learning that prepares students for success in their chosen field, as well as instilling in them the importance of being responsible citizens in an increasingly diverse and global society.

Most recently, Dr. Simmons served as President of Iowa Wesleyan College, where he helped restructure enrollment, advancement and the college’s educational programs. Under his tenure, the college met a $3 million annual matching grant challenge, reduced the discount rate and increased the ACT average for incoming students.

Prior to his tenure at Iowa Wesleyan, Dr. Simmons was Vice President for Academic Affairs at La Grange College, where he came to fully appreciate that the greatest service a college can provide its students is to offer challenging, engaging academic programs. While at LaGrange College, he updated faculty governance, expanded curriculum and program activities and increased international programs.

Dr. Simmons has also served at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was Dean of Liberal Arts, and at his alma mater, Birmingham-Southern College, where he was Assistant to the Dean and later, Assistant Dean.

A native of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Dr. Simmons has impressed the Simpson community with his proven leadership capability, broad academic experience, fund-raising success, ability to face challenges, work ethic and open and collaborative management style. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Birmingham-Southern College, he has been very involved with the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), including serving as its President. Dr. Simmons holds Master’s and Doctorate degrees in political science from the University of Alabama.

He and his wife Jenné have two daughters, Samantha and Madison.

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Inaugural ProgramInaugural ProgramPrelude March (Sonata Breve) by Gerald Near Carl Gravander, OrganistProcessionOrder of Procession Flag Bearers Jessalyn Holdcraft, Junior Class President Taylor Van De Krol, Senior Class President Grand Marshal Sunnie Richer, Board Chair Medallion Bearer Jazmin Rubel, Student Government Association Manager The Simpson College Choir and Chamber Singers Timothy McMillin, Conductor Simpson College Trustees Simpson College Faculty Simpson College Administrators Delegates Greeters Steven J. Griffith, Senior Vice President and Academic Dean The Reverend Julius C. Trimble, Resident Bishop, Iowa Area, The United Methodist Church Jay K. Simmons, President, Simpson College

Processional in D by David N. Johnson Carl Gravander, Organist

Welcome Sunnie Richer Chair, Board of Trustees

Invocation The Reverend Philip J. Webb Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church Indianola, IowaInvocation Response Glorious God by Sven Lekberg

Greetings The Board of Trustees Sunnie Richer, Chair, Board of Trustees The United Methodist Church The Reverend Julius C. Trimble, Resident Bishop, Iowa Area The United Methodist Church The Faculty Fred O. Jones, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice The Students Alexander P. Severn, Student Body President

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

The Alumni Nathaniel R. Boulton, President Simpson College Alumni Association The City of Indianola Eric S. Hanson, City Manager, Indianola The Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Gary Steinke, President

The Investiture of the President Sunnie Richer Chair, Board of Trustees Choral Anthem Let Knowledge Grow by Michael Patterson Professor of Music

Strong Son of God, Let knowledge grow.We trust it comes from Thee.

Strong Son of God, immortal Love We’ve not yet seen thy face.By faith, and faith alone, embrace,Believing where we cannot prove;

Thou seemest human and divine,The highest, holiest presence, thou.Our wills are ours, we know not how,Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;They have their day and cease to be:They are but broken lights of thee,And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith alone: we cannot know;For knowledge is of things, of things we see;And yet we trust it comes from thee,A beam in darkness: let it grow.

Let knowledge grow from more to more,But more of reverence in us dwell;That mind and soul, according well,May make one music as before.

God forgive these wild and wandering cries,Confusions of a wasted youth;Forgive them where they fail in truth,And in thy wisdom make me wise.

Let knowledge grow, Strong Son of GodIn thy wisdom make us wise.

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

Introduction of Jay K. Simmons Steven J. Griffith Senior Vice President and Academic Dean

President’s Response Jay K. Simmons PresidentSinging of The Red and Gold (lyrics on the back)

Benediction The Reverend Mara Bailey Chaplain, Simpson College

Recessional Allegro maestoso e vivace (Sonata 2) by Felix Mendelssohn Carl Gravander, OrganistPostlude Fuga. Allegro moderato (Sonata 2) by Felix Mendelssohn Carl Gravander, Organist

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Board of TrusteesBoard of TrusteesJessica Braunschweig-Norris ’03

General CounselProperty Assessment Appeal Board - State of Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

Nathaniel R. Boulton ’02Attorney

Hedberg & Boulton, P.C.Des Moines, Iowa

Jay R. Byers ’93Chief Executive Officer

Greater Des Moines PartnershipDes Moines, Iowa

Mary Sconiers ChapmanVice President Emeritus

Des Moines Area Community CollegeDes Moines, Iowa

D. Robert Downing ’63Chairman of the Board

Downing Construction, Inc.Indianola, Iowa

Steven C. Fiterman ’68President

Ground Development, Inc.Golden Valley, Minnesota

Barbara M. GartnerDes Moines, Iowa

Ben F. Gaumer ’75Vice President and Regional

Chief Medical Informatics OfficerCatholic Health Initiatives

Indianola, Iowa

Darrell J. Goodhue ’62District Court Judge, retired

Carlisle, Iowa

Joseph D. Hall ’58Radiologist, retired

Iowa Radiology, P.C.Des Moines, Iowa

Jordan B. HansellTreasurer of the Board

Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerNetJets®, Inc.

Columbus, Ohio

Phillip E. Harlow ’71Principal

Falcon Opportunity PartnersFort Lauderdale, Florida

Mark L. Hill ’78Des Moines, Iowa

Frederick S. HubbellMember Executive Board, retired

ING GroepDes Moines, Iowa

Steven G. Johnson ’81President and Chief Operating Officer

Care View CommunicationsLewisville, Texas

Gage A. KentChairman and Chief Executive Officer

Kent CorporationMuscatine, Iowa

Linda KoehnDes Moines, Iowa

Terrance J. Lillis ’77Secretary of the Board

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerPrincipal Financial Group, Inc.

Des Moines, Iowa

Fred LorberPresident and Chairman of the Board, retired

Lortex, Inc.Des Moines, Iowa

Mary Rose Main ’53National Executive Director, retired

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.New York, New York

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Barbara A. Miller ’64Executive Director

Center for Education in Law and DemocracyDenver, Colorado

Mark C. Miller ’79Corporate Services Director

DuPont PioneerJohnston, Iowa

Owen J. NewlinSenior Vice President and Director, retired

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Des Moines, Iowa

Lizz S. NicholsVice President

Noble FordIndianola, Iowa

James R. Oplt ’72Senior Vice President, Investments

UBS Financial Services, Inc.West Des Moines, Iowa

Nile D. Ramsbottom ’66Executive Vice President Global Sales

Renewable Energy GroupInnsbrook, Missouri

Sunnie RicherBoard ChairChairman

Doextra CorporationDes Moines, Iowa

Robert G. Riley, Jr.President and Chief Executive Officer

Feed Energy CompanyDes Moines, Iowa

Gary L. Ruble ’63Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer

Multi-Tech, Inc.Indianola, Iowa

Travis J. Rychnovsky ’01Chief Operating Officer

Foster Group, Inc.West Des Moines, Iowa

Jay K. SimmonsPresident

Simpson CollegeIndianola, Iowa

Deanna Strable-SoethoutSenior Vice President, Individual Life

and Specialty BenefitsPrincipal Financial Group, Inc.

Des Moines, Iowa

Julius C. TrimbleResident Bishop, Iowa Area

The United Methodist ChurchDes Moines, Iowa

Kirk J. TylerPresident

Atlantic Bottling CompanyWaukee, Iowa

Thomas N. UrbanDes Moines, Iowa

Philip J. WebbSenior Pastor

First United Methodist ChurchIndianola, Iowa

David A. WeesnerSuperintendent, Central DistrictThe United Methodist Church

Ankeny, Iowa

Richard M. Willis ’74President

Willis Auto CampusClive, Iowa

P. Sumner WorthPresident

Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber CompanyWaukee, Iowa

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Honorary Life TrusteesHonorary Life Trustees Douglas J. Barakat ’68

Senior Vice President, Director of Sales, retiredAmerican Republic Insurance Company

Boulder, Colorado

Wayne L. Carse ’50President

Carse Oil Company, Inc.Orlando, Florida

Jerry L. ChicoineChairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Scottsdale, Arizona

Karen A. Conner ’69Professor EmeritaDrake University

Scottsdale, Arizona

John B. Farnham ’43Physician, retiredPhoenix, Arizona

Michael G. GartnerChairman

The Iowa CubsDes Moines, Iowa

Robert L. Lester ’64Senior Vice President, retired

Iowa PowerIndianola, Iowa

Marvin E. MazieChairman of the Board, retired

Firstar Bank of Des MoinesSan Diego, California

Katherine C. MeredithDes Moines, Iowa

Vernon H. Pooley ’50President and Chief Executive Officer, retired

Pooley and Associates, Inc.Cedar Rapids, Iowa

James M. Reed ’54Private Equity Investor

Scottsdale, Arizona

Charles E. RohmExecutive Vice President, retiredPrincipal Financial Group, Inc.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Ralph F. SchlenkerSenior Vice Chairman, retired

MidAmerican EnergyIndianola, Iowa

H. Richard Smith ’53Of Counsel

Ahlers and Cooney, P.C.Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Keith R. Swanson ’54Physician

Atlantic, Iowa

Marilyn M. VernonNaples, Florida

Fred W. WeitzPresident

Essex Meadows, Inc.Des Moines, Iowa

A. Roger WitkeOf Counsel

Whitfield and Eddy, P.L.C.Des Moines, IowaAdvisorsAdvisors

David A. McNeill ’79Des Moines, Iowa

Marilee ScieszinskiAlbia, Iowa

James C. Spooner ’82Des Moines, Iowa

Dennis E. YoungDes Moines, Iowa

Honorary Life Trustees

Advisors

Presidents of Simpson CollegePresidents of Samuel Milton Vernon 1867-1868

Alexander Burns 1868-1878

Thomas Stribling Berry 1878-1880

Edward Lamay Parks 1880-1886

William Ennis Hamilton 1887-1889

Edmund Meek Holmes 1889-1892

Fletcher Brown 1892-1898

Joseph Benson Harris 1898-1899

Charles Eldred Shelton 1899-1910

Francis L. Strickland 1910-1915

James Watson Campbell 1916-1919

John Linnaeus Hillman 1919-1936

Earl E. Harper 1936-1938

John Owen Gross 1938-1941

Edwin Edgar Voigt 1942-1952

William Edward Kerstetter 1953-1963

Ralph Candler John 1963-1972

Richard Bailey Lancaster 1972-1979

Robert Edward McBride 1979-1987

Stephen Grant Jennings 1987-1998

Roger Kevin LaGree 1999-2005

John Warren Byrd 2005-2013

Jay Keith Simmons 2013-Present

I N A U G U R A T I O N 2 0 1 4

Acting PresidentsActing PresidentsWilliam Ennis Hamilton February-March 1868

William Ennis Hamilton 1886-1887

William Ennis Hamilton 1915-1916

Adm. Committee: Francis Moats, Clyde Emmons, Rae Dean July-November 1938

Adm. Committee: Forrest Brown, chairman 1941-1942

Hurford Stone April-November 1953

M. Bruce Haddox 1998-1999

INDIANOL A, IOWA 50125

Come we will sing together Though in the years before us,Once more the ringing song, Life’s skies grow dull and gray,A strain that the coming classes The friends of our youth are scatteredUnceasingly shall prolong We journey our lonely way;The praise of our Alma Mater, Sweet memories oft will lingerDear Simpson, will e’er be told Of those dear days of oldWe’ll cherish thy recollections When beneath the whispering maplesAnd swear by the Red and Gold We flaunted the Red and Gold

The Red and GoldThe Red and Gold