Chapel Assistant Ann Shepherd, has been part of the Simpson community for quite some time. This summer she will starting her 18th year working on campus.

“First I started at the bookstore,” Shepard said. “Then this position opened up.”

The Religion Department has seen a lot of growth while Shepherd has been here. It went from a small program to a department that handles the Religious Life program, Holy Grounds, the trips the RLC sponsors and weddings held on campus. Shepherd’s position started out part time and then grew to full time as the department grew.

Simpson has had quite an influence in Shepherd’s life. Both she and her husband graduated from Simpson, as well as one of her daughters.

“It took me 10 years, part time to get my degree,” Shepherd said.

Despite how busy Shepard is, she really enjoys her work. She enjoys watching the students grow and become more aware of who they are and experience things that open their eyes to the world around them.

“It keeps you young,” Shepherd said. “I know all this stuff about the culture by being around students.”

Shepherd is a strong advocate of the RLC program. She thinks students should get the chance to experience something outside of their comfort zone and see the world. She also has high hopes for the students that become part of the religious life community.

“I want students to be independent and socially aware,” Shepherd said. “I want them to know they don’t have to have the best of everything to be happy.”