Mathematics

Alumni


A complete list of Simpson College alumni who graduated with mathematics majors from 1987 to the present can be found in this file.  If you are a Simpson mathematics alum and would like to have your profile listed below or would like your profile to be updated, please contact Bill Schellhorn.

GRADUATE PROFILES

Shikha, Maya and Lwanda Class of 2009

Kendra Frush:  Kendra is working toward a Doctor in Medicine (M.D.) degree at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

Emily Lundt:  Emily is working on a Masters
in Biostatistics at the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.

Curt Bjork:  Curt is pursuing a Masters in Sports Administration at the University of Northern Colorado.

Tania Quiroz:  Tania returned to her home
country of Mexico is working on a Masters in Teaching degree.

Jessica Fletcher:  Jessica majored in Mathematics and minored in Marketing while at Simpson College.  Jessica is completing the Masters in Teaching program at Simpson College.

Suzanne Schnell:  Suzanne is taking engineering classes at Iowa State University.

Chelsy Croson:  Chelsy is volunteering with AmeriCorps Vista and will be working in the Des Moines area for a year before going on to graduate school in mathematics.

Tracy Robson:  Tracy is living at the Catholic Worker House and working with the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers Street Outreach in between substitute teaching gigs.

Dillon McKelvey:  Dillon is an actuarial assistant with the Sammons Annuity Group.

Raena Gordon:  Raena is an electric scheduler with MidAmerican Energy.

Jayson Crawford:  Jayson is teaching mathematics at Albia High School.

Jerilyn Geneser:  Jerilyn has a teaching position in the South Hamilton School District.

Robert Best:  Robert is teaching mathematics and Spanish at his alma mater, Lincoln High
School in Des Moines.

Class of 2008

Ashley Hopp: Ashley double majored in Economics and Mathematics while at Simpson College. Ashley interned two summers at the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field office in Des Moines. Ashley is currently employed at the NASS field office in Springfield, Illinois.

Casie Schmitt: Casie double majored in Physics and Mathematics while at Simpson College. While at Simpson, Casie attended an REU in Physics at the University of Oklahoma and was honored as the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics and an Outstanding Senior in Physics. Casie is currently employed at the NASS field office in Fargo, North Dakota.

Danielle Shelley: Danielle majored in Mathematics and Secondary Education while at Simpson College. While at Simpson College, Danielle spent a semester studying abroad in Australia and gave a presentation on her senior research project at the Iowa Council for Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting. Danielle is teaching 8th grade Mathematics in the Winterset Community School District.

John Kerr: John majored in Mathematics and Secondary Education while at Simpson College. John is teaching high school mathematics in the Farragut Community School District.

Nick Hay: Nick majored in Mathematics and minored in Political Science while at Simpson College. Nick successfully completed his first year of law school at Drake University.

Nick Bruhn: Nick majored in Mathematics and was a four year member of the football team while at Simpson College. Nick is currently employed by the Social Security Agency as a Service Representative in Des Moines, Iowa.

Class of 2007

Scott Bonz: Scott majored in Mathematics and minored in History while at Simpson College. Scott is currently employed by The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines as a Financial Analyst.

Jean Clipperton: Jean triple majored in Honors in Mathematics, Spanish and Philosophy while at Simpson College. Jean was chosen as the Outstanding Senior Major for each department and won the Jordan Award for the outstanding graduate in Humanities at the spring Honors Convocation. Jean was very active in the mathematics program, participating in undergraduate research, the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, and presenting results at undergraduate research conferences. As part of the Honors in Mathematics major, Jean continued her summer REU research in graph labeling and had a paper published in the Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal. Jean was awarded a NSF Graduate Fellowship that will pay her $30,000 for the next three years while she attends graduate school at the University of Michigan in their Modeling Program in Political Science.

"Prospective employers and graduate schools hope that students graduate from college with the skills to communicate, work in teams and handle the open-ended problems that are a regular part of the working environment. The Mathematical Contest in Modeling is one of many experiences we provide our students that gives them first hand experience to develop these skills. The contest also gives our students the external validation they need of the strength of their mathematical and communication skills. No classroom activities can match the contest in the ability to build self-confidence."
Murphy Waggoner, Professor of Mathematics, Simpson College

Natalie Chizek: Natalie majored in Mathematics and minored in Management. Natalie was a member of the women's soccer team at Simpson College and is a past winner of the team MVP award. Natalie is currently employed at Nationwide Insurance as a Pricing Analyst where she is was mentored by 2006 graduate Chase Richardson.

"A big part of the success of the Simpson College Mathematics program is due to the close ties we have with our graduates. Many of our graduates volunteer time to talk to our current students about their careers and give them advice when it comes time to look for jobs or apply to graduate schools. Our graduate's success at work or in graduate school has opened up many opportunities for our students at graduation time."
Rick Spellerberg, Professor of Mathematics, Chair of Mathematics, Simpson College

Laura Preston: Laura double majored in Mathematics and Accounting and passed her CPA exams. Laura participated in track and volleyball while attending Simpson College. Laura was employed with the accounting firm Ernst and Young in Des Moines. Laura has been accepted to the Ph.D. program in Applied Mathematics at Washington State University next fall and was awarded a position as a Research Assistant for the department.

"The analytical and problem solving skills one develops when studying Accounting and Mathematics are a perfect compliment to one another. We have found that our majors who also study Mathematics have many job opportunities and are more likely to get accepted into the top MBA programs."
Mark Juffernbruch, Associate Professor of Accounting, Simpson College

Alicia Uhde: Alicia majored in Mathematics and is currently employed with the insurance company ING in Des Moines. Alicia was a member of the Simpson softball team. Alicia's title is Brokerage Operations Coordinator where she establishes different investment accounts for ING clients.

Class of 2006

Shikha Basnet:  Shikha majored in Economics, won the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics award, and was the first student to graduate from Simpson College with the Honors in Mathematics major.  Shikha’s Honors thesis was entitled, “Monopolist Strategies in a Durable Goods Market,” and was published in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Mathematics Journal.  Shikha was a member of three teams in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling and twice received a ranking of Meritorious.  She also presented three times at the Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium.  Shikha is currently in her third year of study in the Ph.D. program in Economics at The University of Pittsburgh, the third highest rated program in the United States.

“The major Honors in Mathematics was established to challenge and reward gifted students who choose to study Mathematics.  This major is very rigorous in nature and requires the student to demonstrate outstanding work in mathematics and a related field as well as participate in many activities we provide our students outside the classroom.  These activities include undergraduate research, mathematical contests, and presenting at undergraduate research symposiums.  As a result, I was able to write a very compelling graduate school recommendation letter for Shikha that helped her get accepted to a number of the top graduate programs in Economics in the United States.”
Rick Spellerberg, Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair, Simpson College

Robert Delsing:  Robert double majored in Mathematics and English and participated in track while at Simpson College.  Robert used May Term his senior year to study for and pass the first actuary exam.  Robert completed the Masters program in Actuary Science at the University of Iowa and is currently employed by AEGON, one of the world's largest life insurance and pension groups.

Chase Richardson:  Chase majored in Mathematics and minored in both Economics and Physics.  Chase is currently employed at Nationwide Insurance as a Pricing Analyst.  As a Pricing Analyst, Chase analyzes claim histories of current and possible future clients to help Nationwide determine their insurance rates.  Chase has volunteered his services in meeting with our current students to talk about his career at Nationwide on numerous occasions and has become a valuable contact for students looking for internships and full time employment.

Angela Servais:  Angela majored in Mathematics and minored in Communications.  Angela participated in women’s basketball and was heavily involved with the Sports Information Department while at Simpson College.  This past year Angela successfully completed her studies in the MBA program at Drake University.  Angela has been working for the Drake Athletic Department part time while completing her studies.

Class of 2005

Brad Allen:  Brad majored in Mathematics, minored in Accounting, and participated in basketball while at Simpson College.  Brad is currently employed at the Principal Financial Group as a Financial Accountant.

Laura Becker:  Laura Becker double majored in Mathematics and Biology while at Simpson College.  Laura presented her results from her Senior Seminar research project at the Midwest Undergraduate Research Symposium.  The title of Laura’s presentation was “Accept or Reject:  Modeling Host Responses to Avian Brood Parasitism.”  Laura finished her Masters in Biostatistics at the University of Iowa and is currently employed by i3 Innovus as a Research Analyst doing statistical analysis using health claim data.  Laura has volunteered her time talking to our current students about her experiences in graduate school and her career as a Biostatistician.

Ashley (Bennett) Tomson:  Ashley majored in Mathematics and won the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics award.  Ashley was a member of two teams that earned the award of Meritorious in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates at Iowa State University, and presented at both the Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium and the Mathematics on the Great Plains Conference.  Ashley completed her Masters degree in Mathematics Education at Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2008.  She is currently teaching high school mathematics and is the head cheer coach at Norman High School in Oklahoma.

Jared Rokke:  Jared majored in Mathematics and minored in Computer Sciences while at Simpson College.  After graduation, he continued his education at Iowa State University and received a second degree in Civil Engineering.  He now works for Foth Infrastructure and Environment as a Civil Engineer.

"My new job incorporates things I learned at both Simpson and ISU. The problem solving aspect of a math degree is used every day. Using what you know to solve what you don't know is an important aspect of Engineering. I like that my Engineering job uses math skills to create a product that you can physically see, such as a bridge or roadway."
 Jared Rokke, class of 2005, Simpson College

Scott Roth:  Scott double majored in Mathematics and Philosophy and participated in men’s soccer while at Simpson College.  Scott is currently serving in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst.  This position in the Army is very selective and can serve as a fast track into the CIA, which is Scott’s ambition.

“What studying mathematics has done for me is it has taught me to think logically and analytically.  It has taught me how to address any problem, obstacle or situation (math related and non-related) with systematic method to find the solution. It has taught me how to be a ‘problem solver’ and to pay attention to detail.  All of which play a vital role in my current job as an Intelligence Analyst for the United States Army. As an analyst my primary responsibility is supervising, coordinating and participating in the analysis, processing and distribution of strategic and tactical intelligence.  My job is to assist in the analysis and evaluation of intelligence holdings to determine changes in enemy capabilities, vulnerabilities and probable courses of action using intelligence from satellite imagery, aerial photographs, electronic monitoring, and human observation.”
SPC Scott Roth, class of 2005, Simpson College

Class of 2002

Lindsay Coffman Foster:  Lindsay double majored in Mathematics and Economics while at Simpson College.  Lindsay was also a four year letter winner as a setter for the Simpson College volleyball team.  After graduation Lindsay earned her Masters degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa and is currently employed by The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines.  Lindsay recently passed her final actuarial exam and is now a member of the Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.  Lindsay has volunteered her time on numerous occasions to talk to our current students about her actuarial career.

Matt Behrens:  Matt double majored in Mathematics and Philosophy while at Simpson College.  After graduation Matt earned his Masters degree in Statistics from the University of Iowa.  Matt is currently employed at Epic Systems Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin, as a Technical Services Engineer.

Class of 2001

Marcy Baker:  Marcy double majored in Mathematics and Computer Science while at Simpson College and won the Outstanding Senior Major for both departments.  Marcy is a member of the Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and is employed by the insurance company Midland Life in Des Moines.  Marcy has volunteered her time on numerous occasions to talk to our current students about her actuarial career.

Class of 1999

James A. Myers:  James works as a claims supervisor with Amica Mutual Insurance Co. in their Danbury Regional Branch in Connecticut.  He has obtained the Insurance Institute of America's Associate in Claims (AIC) designation and its Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.  At Amica he oversees the handling of liability, bodily injury, and property claims involving regulatory complaints, complex coverage questions, litigation, and significant loss exposure.  He is also involved in developing paperless corporate workflows as well as piloting and troubleshooting emerging claims systems.  He believes that his mathematics degree, and especially his mathematical modeling course, gave him the 'real-world' analytical tools necessary to advance his career.  In his management role he now problem-solves on a daily basis.  The only difference is it could be crunching numbers during settlement negotiations one day while dealing with sensitive personnel issues the next.  He also minored in Economics and played varsity tennis at Simpson.

"I can honestly say that I use the problem-solving and analytical skills that I learned while studying mathematics at Simpson on a daily basis."
James A. Myers, class of 1999, Simpson College

Last Updated: 10/17/09