Simpson College

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For the college in Redding, California associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, see Simpson University.

Simpson College is a four-year, coeducational liberal arts institution situated in Indianola, Iowa and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Simpson is a small school with approximately 1300 full-time students and nearly 500 part-time students. In addition to the main campus in Indianola, the college has classroom facilities in West Des Moines and Ankeny.

Simpson has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. In the 2004 report, Simpson College was named number 1 in the "Best Value" category for midwestern comprehensive colleges.

The Des Moines Metro Opera makes its home on the Simpson campus with performances held during the summer. Operas are normally performed in English.

Simpson College was founded in 1860 and was named after the Methodist minister Matthew Simpson. Matthew Simpson is best known as the minister who spoke the last words at Abraham Lincoln's grave in Springfield, Illinois.

[edit] Notable students

Simpson College was the first college attended by George Washington Carver. Carver entered Simpson as an art major, but became interested in the natural sciences. Carver left Simpson College to complete his undergraduate education at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University). Both schools have buildings named in his honor.

Nick Ackerman attended Simpson College in the late 1990's and early 2000's. His wrestling performance in which he won the 2001 NCAA Division III Championships was named as one of the top 25 moments in NCAA history. Nick lost his legs to bacterial meningitis as a baby but this did not hold him back.

[edit] Campus life

Simpson College is home to eight greek organizations: three national fraternities, one local fraternity and four national sororities.

The Simpsonian, the nation’s oldest continuously published college newspaper, is the student newspaper. It provides formal practical experience for students interested in journalism and serves as a forum for student opinions and ideas.

The Zenith, the College yearbook, founded in 1890, is published under the direction of a student editor and student staff.

The Sequel is a literary magazine in which are assembled the best contributions from students with an interest in creative writing.

KSTM is the student operated campus radio station.