George Washington Carver Day Celebration
The George Washington Carver Day Celebration is a collaborative effort between Simpson College and Indianola community members. We work together to bring to life the rich history of Simpson College Alumni and past Indianola resident, George Washington Carver.
Join us for our three-day celebration
All events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, January 30
7 p.m. | George Washington Carver Medal Ceremony and Lecture | Smith Chapel
Presentation of the George Washington Carver Medal to Hon. Mike Espy, former Member of Congress from Mississippi and first African American U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Member of Congress.
Friday, January 31
1 – 2 p.m. | Open Forum With Hon. Mike Espy | Kent Campus Center, Hubbell Hall II
Hon. Mike Espy, 2025 Carver Medal Recipient, who will take questions and discuss his work as our nation’s first African American Secretary of Agriculture, Member of Congress from Mississippi, and current chair of Creating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CFNA), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of production agriculture in 44 countries.
4 – 5 p.m. | Peanut Beer for Sale | West Hill Brewing Company
Formal toast to the memory of George Washington Carver’s time in Indianola at 5 p.m.
Saturday, February 1
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Activities on the Square | Indianola Square
Children’s scavenger hunt, artwork displays and other fun, Carver-centered activities. All activities are free.
Take the Carver Self-Guided Walking Tour
Explore the places where George Washington Carver lived and studied, along with archives from his time at Simpson, and discover the buildings and halls dedicated to his legacy.
There is no equality without quality education
Education, in the broadest of truest sense, will make an individual seek to help all people, regardless of race, regardless of color, regardless of condition.
George Washington Carver
agricultural scientist, inventor, Simpson alumnus and Indianola resident
2024-25 Planning Committee Members
- Seth Andersen, Simpson College
- Mara Bailey, Simpson College
- Amy Duncan, Indianola Independent Advocate
- Cyd Dyer, Simpson College
- Elodie Opstad, The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune
- Alisa Reynolds-Good, Simpson College
- Amanda Zwanziger, Indianola Chamber of Commerce
