Homecoming has been a fun and exciting tradition at Simpson College since its humble beginnings in 1921. This year is especially meaningful for me, as it is my first year returning to my alma mater to serve as president.

I still very much remember my first Simpson College Homecoming in the Fall of 1989 as if it were yesterday. Yell Like Hell, skit night, the bonfire, street painting, house decorations, the dance, and of course the football game were all part of the festivities. Our high-powered football team, led by Simpson legends Ricky Gales, Joe Blake, and many others, was truly a force to be reckoned with. 

All that being said, what impacted me the most during my first Homecoming at Simpson was connecting with our alumni. At the ATO house, we had a tradition at the time of roasting a hog and hosting our alumni for lunch before the game. I was looking forward to it, but as a kid from small town Iowa, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. 

That was the first time I met Bob and Ardene Downing. Both Bob and Ardene were and continue to be high profile volunteer leaders for the college and the Indianola community at large. I clearly remember them actively engaging me and the other students at the lunch. They treated us like adults, were truly interested in learning about our personal stories, and made us feel that they were actively invested in our success at Simpson and beyond. 

This experience sent a powerful message to me. It was at that moment that I truly understood how special it is to be part of the Simpson family. After graduating from Simpson, I have returned to campus for Homecoming almost every year. I have made it a priority to follow the lead of people like Bob, Ardene and so many others to give back and to pay it forward. 

As we celebrate Homecoming this year, I hope that you fully embrace all the fun activities. I also encourage you to go out of your way to connect with the alumni who will be back on campus and make them feel welcome. Alumni who return to campus choose to do so because of the friends, faculty, and staff they met and the meaningful experiences they had as undergrads. They are also interested in getting to meet our current students, learning more about what is happening on campus now, and are often looking for opportunities to get more engaged. 

Being a part of the Simpson family is something that is truly special. It is a commitment to each other that spans generations and lasts a lifetime. Your undergrad experience is just the beginning of the journey. Roll Storm!