Simpson College and Indianola to Celebrate George Washington Carver Day

Simpson College is partnering with Indianola to host a three-day celebration on campus and throughout the community to commemorate George Washington Carver Day. 

The festivities begin at 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1, in Hubbell Hall with a presentation from members of the Carver Birthplace Association. They will discuss George Washington Carver’s early years and the current restoration of his first formal school, the 1872 Neosho Colored School. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Matthew Simpson room will be open for visitors to view artwork created by Carver’s art teacher and an oil painting of Carver and Henry C. Wallace from 1986.

On Friday, Feb. 2, the George Washington Carver Symposium will explore various themes relating to agricultural production innovations, scientific and technical advancements in food and nutrition. The symposium will also offer a global perspective on challenges and opportunities associated with climate change and its impacts on food production.

Moderated by Dave Price, Iowa Political Director at Gray Television and Editor at American Farmland Owner, the symposium features a distinguished lineup of panelists, including:

• Dr. George Annor, General Mills Endowed Professor in Cereal Chemistry and Technology, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota. 
• Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, 2009 World Food Prize Laureate; Distinguished Professor, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and International Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University; Executive Director, Purdue Center for Global Food Security.
• Dr. Rosalind James, Midwest Area Director, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Seth Andersen, director of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College and a member of the planning committee for this year’s Carver Day events, expressed his enthusiasm for the symposium panel. “Simpson College is honored to host this panel of globally recognized leaders in agriculture and food science for an exploration of leading-edge innovations in food production to feed a growing world population,” said Andersen. “We encourage interested community members from Central Iowa to attend the Carver Symposium and bring their questions for panelists to address during the Q&A period.”

Following the symposium, visitors may once again stop by the Matthew Simpson room from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There, attendees can visit with Ranger Gregory of the George Washington Carver National Monument and see a brief film, Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver.

Closing out the day, visitors are welcome at West Hill Brewing Company from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., to enjoy the “Peanut Genius,” a locally brewed beer with nodes of peanuts — produced by Simpson alums Doug Gaumer and Heather Norris Gaumer. A formal toast in memory of George Washington Carver will take place at 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3, is all about the Indianola community. There will be several engaging events taking place from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees can plant a seed, make a flower, enjoy story time, do a scavenger hunt, and enjoy treats and a movie.

For additional details on these events, visit simpson.edu/gwc-day-celebration.