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Whispers from the Maples

A Simpson College Alumni Oral History Project

The project 


As we welcome our 24th president, Marsha Kelliher, to our Simpson College family, we want her to understand the Simpson community from the perspective of our alumni. However, with over 20,000 living alumni it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That is why we decided to embark on a new project called Whispers from the Maples to gather college stories of alumni like you in your own words. In addition to sharing these stories with President Kelliher, we will also preserve them in a book that celebrates the impact Simpson College has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year that we do not capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we are excited to get started today! 
 

Have you moved?


As part of this project, we are also taking the opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Simpson College. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved, changed an email, or updated a phone number and inadvertently lost touch your alma mater. 

Your story


So what Simpson story will you tell?

  • Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
  • Did you find your Simpson Sweetheart at our alma mater?
  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at Simpson?
  • Have connections you made on campus turn into lifelong friendships?
  • Did Greek Life, Athletics, or Student Organizations shape you?
  • Were you on campus during a historical moment?
  • Are you a Simpson College legacy?
  • The list goes on...

With our limited resources, we would never be able to tackle a project like this alone. By partnering with PCI, we are able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also be helping us to collect and assemble stories into the Whispers from the Maples book that we can share throughout the Simpson family. Please note that we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes. PCI will not use your information for any purpose beyond this Oral History Project. 

Simpson has used PCI for alumni directory projects in the past and has found them to be professional and friendly.

Do I have to buy something?


No. This project is being done at NO COST to Simpson College. The project is completely funded by the alumni who CHOOSE to purchase the Whispers from the Maples book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various books packages will be offered, and PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other Simpson branded merchandise including a t-shirt, sweatshirt, ballcap and travel bag. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Whispers from the Maples book. 

What's next?


You will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first-of-its-kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until January 29, 2021. After that date, they will enter post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in late spring 2021. 

What to look for


Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from Simpson College, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and share your Simpson Experience with a PCI representative. 

POSTCARD PHOTO

Simpson alumni postcard

EMAIL PHOTO

simpson alumni email photo

*If you do not receive the email, please take this opportunity to cal PCI at 1-800-982-1590 and update your contact information so we can stay connected. 

FAQs
To get answers to frequently asked questions from alumni regarding the Oral History Project please visit our Whispers from the Maples FAQ webpage.

THANK YOU!

As our alma mater states, "Sweet memories oft will linger. Of those dear days of old, When beneath the whis'pring maples, We flaunted the Red and Gold." We look forward to hearing from each and every one of our Simpson alumni as you reflect on those memories and fluant the Red and Gold!