Many drivers can recall a time getting behind the wheel when they were exhausted. Jay Byers can, after his June 19 single-car accident on Highway 5 when he fell asleep at the wheel.

Byers experienced a life-altering event in that moment, he said. His strength and courage during his recovery have inspired the Simpson community, colleagues said.

Byers was driving to a work event in Des Moines around 7:30 a.m. when the accident occurred. The impact was severe, leading to multiple injuries, but he was released from the hospital the following day.

“I definitely had a guardian angel, because I was very lucky to be able to walk away from the accident,” Byers said. “I had a pretty major concussion, I broke my ankle, broke some ribs, and basically a partially punctured lung, and a number of lacerations with stitches and so forth too.”

Accidents like these remind people how easily fatigue can impact even the most responsible drivers. His experience is a reminder of how essential it is for people to listen to their bodies and ensure they are well-rested when behind the wheel.

“I think that’s a lesson that I can share with others as well, that if people are in high stress, high impact jobs, that they can’t take their eye off of self-care,” Byers said, “That was a real wake-up call for me, just in terms of how I’m living my life and focusing on that self-care in ways that I have not done for many, many years, maybe ever.”

With a full recovery after six weeks, Byers is now on his third week of being back full-time, and he is full steam ahead.
“I was working part-time the two weeks before that, but I’m feeling great and very grateful that I’m still here, for one, but just grateful for everybody that stepped up in my absence this summer when I was on the mend and getting ready to get fired up for the fall semester,” Byers said.

While Byers was recovering, he was off of social media and didn’t answer emails for six weeks.

“For someone who was heavily engaged with social media and a very social person, that was a lot of reflection time in terms of what’s most important and how to live my life as a result of these lessons learned, but it was hard,” Byers said.
His transparency and personal insights about his experience are ones he shares in hopes that they encourage others to practice self-care.

“I’m making sure that I’m taking care of what I need to do so I can be the most effective president possible, and the most effective husband, father, and friend,” Byers said. “Recovery has been a very cosmic and spiritual experience.”

The support from the Simpson community was unwavering. Staff took on additional responsibilities to ensure that the college continued to thrive, allowing Byers to heal knowing that the institution was in good hands.

Bret Mills, VP of Business/Finance was the Executive in Charge on campus during Byers’ absence. Terry Handley, the Board Chair for The Board of Trustees, was an additional help.

“In partnership with the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications, I managed the updates to the campus community, trustees, and alumni throughout President Byers’ recovery period,” Handley said.

Byers believed the college was well taken care of during his absence.

“Terry Handley, I thought, did a masterful job of handling the situation,” Byers said. “I heard from so many different people and felt very much that everyone around here stepped up to keep things moving forward.”

Megan Marquardt, Director of Presidential Initiatives, worked closely with Byers as a trustee and in his role as president. She was the point of contact for the community’s best wishes.

“There was a remarkable outpouring of help from both Simpson and the broader community,” Marquardt said. “Whether it was offering assistance with specific needs or providing general support, their willingness to pitch in and contribute has been invaluable, even more evidence of the Onesimpson family.”

Looking ahead, Byers is eager to continue his work with renewed dedication. This is his second year as president, and his inauguration is coming up on Oct. 11, homecoming weekend.

“I’m very excited about year two in terms of where the college is going, and the amazing potential that we have in terms of making that long-term goal of being the best small, private college in the Midwest,” Byers said.

Byers is a Simpson alum, graduating in 93’, and also served on the board of trustees as well as being an adjunct professor.

“We thought it made perfect sense to be able to host the inauguration activities at the same time as homecoming,” Byers said. “In many ways, this is my homecoming as well, too, and it’s a great opportunity for a lot of people to come back for homecoming.”
President Byers hopes to work with the community to position Simpson for the future while embracing the past.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue to move forward and do everything I can with the experience to make Simpson the best place it can be,” Byers said. “I want to make sure that I don’t waste any more opportunities moving forward with that second chance at life.”