A ceremony for the inauguration of John W. Byrd as the 22nd president of Simpson College will be at 1:30 p.m. on March 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. A procession from the college to the church featuring faculty, delegates, greeters and administration of the college begins at 1 p.m. A reception in the Hubbell Atrium of the Carver Science Center will follow the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.

Byrd began his duties at Simpson in June of 2005 after serving as the executive vice president of the University of Evansville in Indiana. Since 1978 Byrd has held various appointments at Evansville, including vice president for academic services, director of planning and institutional research, assistant dean of the college of arts and sciences and assistant professor.

Byrd holds a bachelor’s degree and masters of education degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a doctorate in health education from Southern Illinois University. He succeeds R. Kevin LaGree who left the college to return to pastoral work for the United Methodist Church.

The Simpson College community will celebrate the inauguration with a number of public events including a student worship service in Smith Chapel at 9 p.m. on March 29 and the Matthew Simpson Lecture and Reception with speaker Robin Lovin at 7 p.m. on March 30, also in Smith Chapel. In addition, the All College Sing will be at 8:30 p.m. on March 30 in Pote Theater of the Blank Performing Arts Center and a recital featuring Theodore Green will be at 8 p.m. on March 31 in Great Hall.  For more information, phone (515) 961-1600.

Click here for a list of all inaugural activities.