Distinguished Alumni

Jack Jetmund ’83 chose Simpson after an overnight prospective student visit. He was able to see a Simpson Theatre production and it blew him away. After that visit, he knew the diversity of Simpson made it the place he wanted to be.   

While at Simpson, Jack was a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre honorary society; he became president his senior year. Jack sang with the college choir, was CAB film chair, and designed The Cherry Orchard for a Theatre Simpson mainstage production. Jack was also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, where he led the chapter at All College Sing for homecoming events. He was the Director of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Regional Conclave and helped organize their gathering on the Simpson College campus which included over 150 visiting brothers. Jack earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Theatre, and Speech Communications in 1983. Jack later earned his Master’s in Public Administration from American University in 2010.   

Jack joined the Air Force shortly after graduation and began his 30-year career working in various government agencies specializing in intelligence. Jack spent many years overseas and ended his career in the National Security Agency where he was a senior intelligence analyst for 20 years.  Jack received several campaign medals and awards for his service.   

Since his retirement from active duty, he has worked primarily for the Federal Aviation Administration, initially on the Human Resources and Budget side where he lowered staff turnover, led teams through multiple reorganizations and managed the spending of $1.6 Billion annually. He currently serves as the Head of Security and manages three groups of federal employees working on physical security, guards, and corrective maintenance to keep more than 1,000 sites in the National Air Space safe. Mostly recently, he led a security system transition that improved overall security, eliminated budget overspending, and managed to garner four times the funding for his team.  His leadership in the FAA has had a profound impact on the safety of our nation’s Air Space.   

When asked how Simpson helped contribute to his success, Jack stated, “Simpson helped me develop the social skills and connections necessary for my success. The liberal arts education Simpson offered gave me the foundation to speak intelligently, to think critically, and to never be afraid of a challenge.” Jack continues to give back to Simpson College in four ways: he has been a member of the Alumni Board of Directors, helped found the DC Alumni Chapter, he persuaded one of thirteen of his great nieces and nephews to attend Simpson with more remaining  to be influenced, he stays up-to-date with the college via the Alumni newsletter, as well as generously sponsoring Simpson events in DC, and at Simpson Productions receptions.   

He feels it is important to give back as Simpson made him curious about the world and led him to steer clear of the question “why”; instead, he asks “why not“ or “why can’t I? which leads to a much better answer.  

Doug LaVelle’s ’70 professional story is one of remarkable achievement and diverse experiences. After graduating from Simpson College in the spring of 1970 and completing basic training in the U.S. Army Reserves that fall, Doug launched what turned out to be a 30-year corporate career with GTE Directories Corporation in January 1971. At that time, GTEDC was the Yellow Pages subsidiary of the largest independent telephone company in the United States, GTE Corporation. It is perhaps difficult to fathom now but in an era before cell phones and search engines, the Yellow Pages were the primary directional advertising medium for small businesses and an extremely successful business in its own right.

Identified early on by upper management as having excellent leadership skills, Doug steadily worked his way up within the Production Department, eventually reaching the position of Publishing Manager in the company’s suburban Chicago operation. In 1980, his office won the company’s coveted President’s Publishing Trophy, an honor that led him into GTE Directories Corporation’s Hall of Fame.  

In 1990, Doug was promoted to Vice President-Publishing and later to Senior Vice President-Production Operations. In this capacity, he was responsible for the company’s information management, publishing, graphics, printing, and distribution operations, and approximately 5,000 employees. In 1994, Doug was part of the senior management team when GTE Directories was awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. The award was presented by Vice President Al Gore at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.  

The last chapter of Doug’s corporate career took him to the global stage. As President-International Operations, he managed a $350 million business with operations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Canada—a role he describes as the best job he ever had. His corporate career concluded when GTE with Bell Atlantic to form Verizon Communications in 2000, leading Doug to retire and pursue a very different dream.  

In 1994, Doug purchased a 25-acre winery and vineyard near Eugene, Oregon. After his retirement from Verizon, Doug began replanting the vineyard and upgraded the winery, eventually earning numerous accolades for his wines in various competitions from New York to Texas, California, and the Pacific Northwest. His dedication to winemaking even caught the attention of then Simpson President, R. Kevin LaGree, who featured Doug’s story in Simpson Magazine in 2001. 

Doug’s career reflects a fascinating juxtaposition of global business success in a large international corporation and a return to his roots in rural Iowa through viticulture in Oregon.  After 24 years of developing a well-respected brand in the local wine market, Doug is all about enjoying life. Though the work never ends and the summer event schedule is packed, today, Doug and his wife Sherry are grateful for their life in the Pacific Northwest, their home on the vineyard, and all the friends they have made over the last 25 years through their business and their community activities. 

When reflecting on how Simpson College contributed to his success, Doug highlights the invaluable skills he gained while on campus: the ability to think independently and creatively. He always says, “I’m grateful that Simpson College taught me how to think, not what to think.” Doug’s fondest memory of Simpson College is the friendships he forged—connections that have endured and contributed to his life’s journey.  

Louis Joslyn ’16 has made a remarkable impact in the fields of bioinformatics and translational medicine. Since graduating from Simpson College in 2016, he has advanced his career significantly, currently serving as a Principal Scientist at Genentech, Inc. 

In his role at Genentech, Louis operates at the forefront of oncology and cancer immunotherapy. His expertise in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is crucial in predicting effective doses for new therapies, ensuring that only the most promising candidates advance to clinical trials. Through his innovative work, he has helped steer drug development, eliminating those that may perform well in preclinical studies but are unlikely to succeed in humans—a process that could save lives and resources. 

Louis’s contributions have not gone unnoticed by his employer. He is the proud recipient of the Development Sciences “Voice” Award for his pivotal role in data-driven decision-making, which led to the safe discontinuation of a drug under development. More recently, he received the “Scientific Innovation” Award for creating the first Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model of TCR-T cell therapies. This groundbreaking work showcases his technical prowess and dedication to advancing cancer treatment methodologies. 

Louis traces his success back to his time at Simpson College, where he cultivated the technical expertise that laid the foundation for his career. As a double major in mathematics and computer science, he engaged in hands-on research early on, gaining skills that are crucial to bioinformatics and computational medicine. Beyond academics, Louis was a standout athlete, serving as captain of the varsity soccer team, where he developed leadership and teamwork skills that have proven invaluable in his professional life. 

His involvement on campus extended to hosting perspective students and participating in various organizations, enhancing both his leadership abilities and his commitment to community. The intimate classroom settings at Simpson allowed him to build strong relationships with faculty, who fostered his curiosity and nurtured his potential. This diverse curriculum equipped him to collaborate effectively with scientists, clinicians, and business professionals—an important skill in his multidisciplinary field. 

In addition to his impressive professional achievements, Louis has remained dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists. He embodies the spirit of Simpson College by inspiring current students and alumni alike through his story of ambition, innovation, and commitment to improving human health. 

Jeremy Ward ’10 has made significant strides since his graduation from Simpson College in 2010, where he earned dual degrees in Physics and Mathematics, graduating Cum Laude and being recognized as the Outstanding Senior in Physics. His academic journey continued to Wake Forest University, culminating in a Ph.D. in Physics in 2015, where he was not only a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, but also a standout peer mentor. 

Currently, Jeremy serves as the Vice President of Products and Partnerships at VigiLife, where he plays a crucial role in shaping innovative solutions in healthcare. Prior to this, he led the Advanced Development Team for Soft Matter Materials at the United States Air Force Research Laboratory. 

Outside of his professional life, Jeremy served as a Staff Sergeant in both the Iowa and North Carolina Air National Guards while pursuing his education, demonstrating his dedication to service and leadership. He has also contributes to the community as a youth soccer coach, nurturing the next generation of athletes. 

What truly sets Jeremy apart is his unwavering commitment to giving back to Simpson College. He has mentored numerous students, offering career guidance and insights into the diverse paths to which a STEM education can lead. His engagement in activities like delivering invited talks and providing real-world challenges for senior thesis projects reflects his deep-rooted belief in the power of mentorship and community. 

Jeremy firmly believes that Simpson College was instrumental in shaping his approach to problem-solving and leadership. The intimate class sizes fostered meaningful relationships with faculty and peers, allowing for collaborative learning that extended beyond traditional lectures. His involvement in programs like the Bryan Research Fellowship provided him with invaluable hands-on research experience, further igniting his passion for tackling complex problems through diverse perspectives. These foundational experiences not only honed his analytical skills, but also instilled a deep appreciation for teamwork and empathy—qualities that continue to define his professional journey and drive his commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders.  

He attributes much of his success to the multidisciplinary training and collaborative spirit fostered at Simpson. He embodies the values of teamwork, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning—qualities that not only drive his professional achievements, but also his passion for empowering others. 

Dennis Moore’s ’72 loyalty to Simpson was apparent back when he was a student, as one of his proudest accomplishments as a student was that he attended every single one of his classes during his four years. Dennis has said that the college is especially important to him as he credits Simpson with opening many doors of opportunity for him over the years.  

While at Simpson, Dennis majored in English. He spent countless hours studying Western Civilization at Brenton Student Center and reading in Dunn Library.  

Following his time at Simpson, Dennis began teaching in the West Des Moines Community School District as an English teacher. He obtained his Master of Arts in English from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Dennis found a lifelong love of teaching and taught in the school district for 40 years. In 2006, he was a finalist for the statewide Mildred Middleton Crystal Key Award for Outstanding Mentoring. In 2012, Dennis began teaching as an adjunct English professor at Des Moines Area Community College, before retiring in 2022.  

Dennis makes frequent trips to Indianola to appreciate the beauty of Simpson. In 2016, Dennis contributed to the physical beauty of campus by having a sugar maple tree planted north of Hillman Hall, as well as installing a bench in the same area. One common theme in Dennis’ contributions to Simpson is gratitude. To illustrate his appreciation,  he places “gratitude rocks” on campus with a short poem, Too Many to Count, to remind students to always be grateful for what happens in life. For the last four years post-pandemic, Dennis has sponsored the Outside Scoop ice cream truck coming to campus to provide ice cream to students in the first few weeks of classes. He is fondly known as the “ice cream man” to our students, who look forward to his visits. Dennis’ proudest service to Simpson is the establishment of an endowed scholarship in the Spring of 2022, in memory of his parents, Charles and Lorraine Moore.  

Blaise Mikels ’12 is an Applied Research Mathematician at the National Security Agency or NSA, where he has been making significant strides since 2012. His journey from Simpson College to this prestigious role is a testament to his hard work, intellect, and unwavering dedication to his field. 

At Simpson, Blaise distinguished himself as a standout student, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2012, with dual majors in Mathematics and Computer Science, and minors in Economics and Ethics. For his academic excellence he was awarded the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics and Computer Science. Blaise was not only a top student, but also an active participant in campus life, serving as a Community Advisor and Student Hall Coordinator, and competing in various mathematics and computer science competitions. 

His contributions extended beyond the classroom, as part of the Bryan Summer Research Program, Blaise, under the mentorship of Dr. Heidi Berger, published research on time scales calculus applied to population modeling, and presented his findings at conferences in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. 

Blaise’s commitment to giving back to Simpson College is deeply rooted in appreciation for the support and opportunities he received.  Blaise established an academic liaison position between the NSA and Simpson College, fostering a STEM partnership that benefits both students and faculty. Blaise visits the campus annually to provide encouragement, share insights from his career, and connect with students, offering both guidance and potential employment opportunities. He has also been actively involved as a mentor for the Industry-Mentored Research mathematics course, a guest speaker for the Careers in Mathematical Sciences course, and a panelist at the Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium. 

When reflecting on how Simpson College contributed to his success, Blaise emphasizes the invaluable opportunities provided by the Mathematics and Computer Science departments. He deeply believes that the supportive faculty and the enriching experiences outside the classroom were instrumental in shaping his career and personal development. 

Blaise chose Simpson College because of the passionate faculty and the sense of being valued as an individual—a sentiment that proved true throughout his time here. His favorite memories include his involvement in residence life, where he met his future wife, and his engagement in various academic activities that led to lasting relationships. 

Mara Bailey’s ’06 journey with Simpson College began long before her current role as our College’s Chaplain. As a student, she was deeply involved in campus life, serving as a Student Chaplain in Religious Life for two years and actively participating in the Praise Band. Her leadership extended to the Women’s Bible Study, and she was a committed member of Alpha Phi Omega, our service fraternity, where she excelled as the philanthropy chair, organizing several successful blood drives each year. Her dedication was recognized with her induction into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society for leadership. 

Since joining Simpson College as Chaplain in 2013, Mara has exemplified a true spirit of service and leadership. Her tenure has been marked by a series of impressive accomplishments. In 2020, she received the Staff Service to the College Award, reflecting her tireless commitment to our institution. Mara also chaired the inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion search committee, a role that was crucial in steering Simpson towards a more inclusive future. 

Mara’s work has also garnered significant external support for Simpson College. She was instrumental in securing a $334,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment for the High School Youth Theology Institute, now known as the Simpson Youth Academy, and a $40,000 grant from the Young Clergy Initiative. Her efforts were pivotal in aligning Simpson College with the Reconciling Ministries Network in 2022, marking a significant step towards our commitment to social justice and inclusion. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Mara remains deeply committed to community service. She has served as a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Iowa Annual Conference since 2016 and volunteers as a troop co-leader with the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, demonstrating her dedication to nurturing and guiding young leaders. 

Mara’s connection to Simpson College is not only professional but deeply personal. She reflects on her time at Simpson with gratitude, noting how the resources and support she received—particularly through the discernment programs at the Maple House—were instrumental in shaping her calling to ministry. The leadership experiences she gained in Simpson’s Religious Life Community continue to guide her work today. 

By giving back, Mara ensures that future students have the same opportunities she had—regardless of their background or resources. Her belief in the transformative power of Simpson is unwavering, and she sees supporting the College as a way to contribute to a broader legacy of change and impact. 

Mara chose to come back and work at Simpson because it offered vital support for her faith and brought her closer to home, making it the perfect place for her growth. Her choice to give back reflects her enduring commitment to the institution that helped shape her path.