Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn (ret.) and David Oman to Speak at Simpson

Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn (ret.), President Emeritus of The World Food Prize and David Oman, former chief of staff to Governors Robert D. Ray and Terry Branstad, are visiting Simpson College to discuss Refugee Resettlement in Iowa. The program will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, in Hubbell Hall, Kent Campus Center, on Simpson’s main campus in Indianola, Iowa. It is presented by the John C. Culver Public Policy Center with co-sponsorship from the Iowa History Center and the Religious Life Community at Simpson College.

Amb. Quinn and Oman worked with former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray, the first U.S. governor to actively welcome refugees from Southeast Asia in the wake of the Vietnam War. Ambassador Quinn coordinated Governor Ray’s ambitious and groundbreaking refugee resettlement program from 1978-1982. Oman served in the Iowa Governor’s Office for ten years. He was the last Chief of Staff for Governor Robert Ray and the first Chief of Staff for former Governor Terry Branstad, making him the only Iowan to have served as Chief of Staff for two Governors. 

“The recent influx of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine has refocused public attention on Iowa’s historical and current refugee resettlement efforts,” said Seth Andersen, Director of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College. “The Culver Center is honored to welcome Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn and David Oman, who played key roles in leading and supporting Iowa’s refugee resettlement efforts under Gov. Ray’s leadership.”

This two-part program will examine the history of Iowa’s refugee resettlement programs and factors that can facilitate or hinder the successful resettlement of refugees. Following remarks from Quinn and Oman, Stephanie Moris of the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa will moderate a panel discussion with current representatives from refugee resettlement agencies in Iowa.

For those attending the in-person event, there is no registration required. However, a virtual option is available that requires registration. Register here.