ransformSummer 2010

A quArterly look At how your investment impActs simpson university And its students

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Athletics: A Microcosm of Life

I am sure you have noticed that each issue of the Transform focuses on a different

dimension of Simpson University. The spring issue gave attention to our Music Department and featured several of our students and faculty members. This summer issue looks at the Athletic Department and highlights several of our student-athletes as well as the athletic director. Music and athletics are equally important and both support the mission of Simpson University (see bottom of adjacent page).

As a former college athlete, coach, and now as a president who enthusiastically supports our Red Hawks athletic teams, I wish to comment on just how sports competition does relate to the mission of a Christian university. Athletics are more than just recreation, although this is a worthy outcome. Being involved in intercollegiate athletics develops values and life skills that will serve student-athletes well for the rest of their lives, long after their playing careers are over. These lifelong qualities include fitness, discipline, leadership, confidence, teamwork, service, strong work habits, the ability to deal with adversity, and integration of Christian

Dear Friend,

transformPresident:

Dr. Larry J. McKinneyVice President for Advancement:

Gordon FlinnEditor & Layout:

Candace DyarStaff Writer: Elise Wilson ‘08

Photographers: Josh Markle, Ryan Belong

The Transform is a quarterly newsletter designed to inform friends of Simpson

University about how their gifts are making a difference.

For more information about giving to Simpson University, call 1-800-598-2239 or visit

simpsonu.edu/giving.

On the Cover: Simpson University student-athletes Kenny Button

and Dominique Simmons. Story on p. 4. Photo by Josh Markle.

2 TRANSFORM Summer 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

4 Student Focus

6 Meet the Staff

8 Giving Focus

10 Trustee Profile

11 Good Stewardship

Athletics: A Microcosm of LifeDr. Larry J. McKinney

President

www.simpsonu.edu / 1-888-9-SIMPSON 3

faith into all of life. The valuable lessons that our student-athletes learn will help them when they move on to become leaders in their families, churches and communities.

It has been almost 40 years since I concluded my playing career as a college athlete, and I still think back to the valuable lessons that I learned about life and faith. This is why I have often stated that athletics are a microcosm of life. This is one of the reasons why we provide strong support for intercollegiate athletics, just as we do for many other valuable curricular and co-curricular programs. Athletics do fit with the mission of Simpson University.

Be sure to read this summer issue of Transform from cover to cover, and then pass it on to a family member or friend for his or her reading pleasure. Thank you for your kindness to Simpson University. We value your support.

In His Service,

As a Christ-centered learning community, Simpson University develops students in mind,

faith, and character to influence the world through leadership, scholarship, and service.

4 TRANSFORM Summer 2010

STUDENT FOCUS: Kenny Button & Dominique SimmonsStudent-athletes, seniors

Simpson University senior Kenny Button can’t remember a time when he didn’t play baseball. His classmate, Dominique Simmons, traces her love of

basketball back to second grade. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Kenny and Dominique have been able to pursue their athletic passions at Simpson University. Kenny, a third baseman, just completed his fourth season on the baseball team; and Dominique finished her second year on the women’s basketball team in March. A center, she was twice named California-Pacific Conference Player of the Week this season. “Simpson has been a great experience,” Kenny said. “It’s been a great academic and life education. It has strengthened my faith. My walk with God wouldn’t be where it is today.” Kenny is a communication major from Red Bluff, Calif. He is involved in the Red Hawk Athletic Ministry (RAM), an on-campus worship time when athletes from all sports socialize once a week. He also serves at AWANA at Neighborhood Church of Redding. He leads a group of second-graders, or “Sparks.” “I like to see little kids have fun,” Kenny said. A native of Tacoma, Wash., Dominique is a psychology major who transferred to Simpson in 2008 from Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. She kept herself busy when not practicing or in class as the teacher’s assistant for the Psychology Department. “I like being able to work with professors one on one and not just in a

Dominique Simmons played center for the Lady Red Hawks. / Photo by Ryan Belong

www.simpsonu.edu / 1-888-9-SIMPSON 5

Your gift to the annual fund helps students like Kenny and Dominique receive a Christ-centered college education. Thank you!

classroom setting,” Dominique said. “It has helped me get to know my professors better.” Dominique was also involved in the Black Student Union on campus and volunteers for Project 18, a mentoring program for at-risk youth. “I like to see how I can have an impact on students’ lives, especially ones who are going through unimaginable things,” she said. Kenny is considering attending Simpson’s School of Education after graduation to pursue a teaching credential. After she plays basketball in Mexico this summer, Dominique plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She also hopes to try out for a semi-professional basketball team. Both Dominique and Kenny received scholarships to attend Simpson. Dominique received academic and athletic scholarships in addition to Simpson’s early bird and transfer scholarships. Kenny received Cal Grant funding and a Simpson baseball scholarship. They appreciate people who donate money for scholarships. Kenny is also thankful to those who are donating funds for a new community baseball field to be built on Simpson University’s campus and used by the Red Hawks. “It means a lot,” Dominique said. “Scholarships gave me the opportunity to further my education and the opportunity to go to graduate school. Scholarships allow doors to be opened.”

— By Elise Wilson ‘08

Find out how you can help us build the Redding Community Baseball Field on campus. See page 8.Kenny Button played third base for the

Red Hawks. / Photo courtesy of Bob Stoddard

6 TRANSFORM Summer 2010

MEET THE STAFFJoe GriffinAthletic Director

www.simpsonu.edu / 1-888-9-SIMPSON 7

Joe Griffin is finishing his third year as Simpson University’s athletic director. He heard about the open position when Simpson contacted him

about the job. “I was interested in moving to an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) program but wanted a Christian atmosphere,” Joe said. “Simpson University was a very good fit that went well with my background and experience and also with what the university needed at the time.” As athletic director, Joe oversees the athletics coaching staff, operating budgets, game management, athlete recruitment, and the development of future athletic programs. He is also involved in the leadership council, a communication and strategic initiative advisory group that meets once a month to share, discuss and distribute campus information. Joe has 15 years of experience as an athletic director. He worked at Atlanta Christian College and Dallas Christian College before coming to Simpson. He also coached collegiate sports for 21 years, including women’s volleyball, men’s soccer and golf, and men’s and women’s basketball. At Simpson, he is the head men’s and women’s golf coach. “Having the opportunity to help develop a student-athlete spiritually and emotionally as well as athletically is very rewarding,” he said. During Joe’s time, the Athletic Department has undergone some major changes. In 2008, the department moved from two separate locations into an office suite in the Heritage Student Life Center. Joe said this move has caused a much “bigger department feel.” Also in 2008, the Athletic Department started independently running the university’s annual athletic golf tournament. Money from past tournaments went to purchase computer notebooks for staff and new bench chairs for the gym. This year’s golf tournament was held on April 30, with proceeds going to athletic scholarships and intercollegiate athletic programs. In January 2010, men’s and women’s basketball games were broadcast live on the Internet for the first time. Joe said he hopes to have live online broadcasts for the 2010 volleyball season as well. The Athletic Department is also working on making Simpson’s Red Hawks logo more recognizable to those outside the Simpson community. They have placed the logo on department shirts and on the windows of the gym. In May 2009, two of Simpson’s athletic buses were covered with huge Red Hawks logos by a Redding sign company. “I like to develop the Athletic Department,” Joe said. “I enjoy working and building the department to show quality and professionalism.” Also during Joe’s time as athletic director, Simpson started awarding athletic scholarships. The scholarship amount varies for each athlete. “Scholarships, along with added programs, have more than doubled the number of student-athletes who now attend Simpson,” Joe said. He appreciates donor contributions to Simpson and the Athletic Department. “Donors have a huge impact,” Joe said. “We are able to purchase necessary equipment, fill out the operating budgets, and aid in having a professional, well-run department because of donations.”

— By Elise Wilson ‘08 / Photo by Josh Markle

8 TRANSFORM Summer 2010

GIVING FOCUS-Community Baseball Field-Student Outreach

Let’s Play Ball!On April 10, we launched the public phase of a campaign to raise funds for a Redding Community Baseball Field, to be built on Simpson University’s campus.

About 300 people attended the “Let’s Play Ball!” fundraiser banquet, held at Big League Dreams sports complex in Redding.

The baseball field is a joint venture between Simpson University, Add Some Color, and the Redding community to construct a baseball stadium to serve local youth athletic programs and benefit Simpson University athletics.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and a grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, more than $1.75 million of the $2.2 million needed to complete phase one had been raised before the April banquet. Another $45,000 was pledged at the fundraiser dinner.

We are hopeful groundbreaking can begin this summer, with a potential completion date in 2011.

Your online votes this fall can help us earn a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project for the baseball field. To learn more, visit facebook.com/letsplayball. For more information on the project, visit simpsonu.edu/letsplayball.

www.simpsonu.edu / 1-888-9-SIMPSON 9

Athletes reach out to local youthHelping out in the local community is important to Simpson University

and our student-athletes. In December and January, our women’s softball players volunteered at skills camps for girls ages 8-14 at Millville School, a K-8 school in Millville, Calif. They also hosted skills camp in four other Northern California communities this spring.

“I want to keep the softball community alive in the north state,” said softball coach Wayne Stower. “I like to teach young players how to play.”

The softball team got involved with the Millville camps when a teacher at the school — a former player of Stower’s — asked if he and some of his players would help out. Our players taught the girls softball fundamentals, such as fielding ground balls, catching fly balls, and hitting techniques. Twenty-five to 30 girls came to each camp. The money raised went to help Millville School students go to an environmental camp.

“It’s a good cause to help kids who can’t afford it,” Stower said. “I liked seeing my players interact with the younger girls. It gives us the opportunity to give back to the community that supports us.”

The softball team also put on an April camp on Simpson’s campus to help raise money for the softball program.

“My favorite part about the camp was getting to work with a great group of girls,” said sophomore Liz Meza (pictured, below left). “Not only do I in some way get to help them better their skills, but I can also learn from them by watching how hard they work at listening to what I have to say and really trying to take my advice. I had a blast talking with them and seeing how much they improved from the beginning to the end of the day.”

— By Elise Wilson ‘08 / Photo by Josh Markle

10 TRANSFORM Summer 2010

TRUSTEE PROFILELinda ProutyBoard member since fall 2009

“I try to remember that every investment of time, money, resources, relationships and

prayer is an eternal investment.”- Linda Prouty

Linda Prouty’s involvement with Simpson University has taken her literally around the world. In 2000, she took a course in Old Testament History

from Dr. Glenn Schaefer to satisfy her longing to know more about biblical history. “It was a life-changing and challenging course,” she says. In 2001 she joined Simpson students on a mission trip to Australia for five weeks; a few

years later she joined Dr. Schaefer and some students on a trip to Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Recognizing that Simpson shares her vision for “making eternal investments,” she began supporting the university financially and then joined the board in 2009. Her commitment has a practical side as well. Linda has opened her home to Simpson students, seven of whom have lived with her for a period of time. She has also hosted class gatherings, Simpson Auxiliary events, holiday

parties and tutored a foreign student in English. She is encouraged by what she sees. “I meet students who are enthusiastic and have a desire for spiritual, academic and vocational growth,” she says. “They often mention their deep sense of community with each other and with the faculty and staff.” Linda’s generosity comes from a deep place. “I am eager to encourage others by sharing God’s faithfulness,” she says. “He has been by my side during many challenging events. Walking with Jesus, I am stronger than I could ever have imagined.” Linda lost her husband in 1998 and faced the personal and financial challenges of being a single parent. Her son is now married and a commercial videographer in Long Beach. Her daughter is married and in law school in Berkeley. Linda is not the first person to notice a common thread in the stories of the students God draws to Simpson. “They are in awe of how God orchestrated their acceptance and arrival at SU,” she says. “Frequently I hear, ‘I wasn’t thinking of applying here...,’ or, ‘I didn’t think I could find the finances to attend, but...’” It is the generosity of our donors and supporters like Linda and other trustees that help make possible the blessing of a Christian college education for so many students. We are so grateful for your support. Please join with Linda in praying for Simpson University’s influence throughout the world. “I pray that the students and graduates would be known for Christlike behavior, as well as equipped with excellent academic and relational skills,” she says.

www.simpsonu.edu / 1-888-9-SIMPSON 11

Good Stewardship

As in many sectors, the economy has provided challenges for our Gateway to the Future Campaign, which is nearly $2 million away from our goal of $10 million by the end of 2010. We are grateful for your contributions and invite you, if you have not yet partnered with us, to consider a gift toward our Science and Nursing Building, student scholarships or faculty development, among other areas. Thank you for your investment in our future!

simpsonu.edu/giving

How will you plan for your future?There are few things in life we can do so easily that make such a big

difference. Having a well-thought-out estate plan is one of them. Those who complete a plan are almost always amazed at how quickly and easily it can be accomplished. And, when special provisions are made to churches and charitable organizations, there is great satisfaction. In many ways, a thoughtful estate plan creates a wonderful legacy. If you do not have a will or have not included a special gift for Simpson University or other organizations, why not create one or amend it to include your legacy gift? You can leave a fixed dollar amount or a percentage. Either way, giving through your estate can reduce your estate taxes. The money that otherwise would have been paid to taxes can instead be used to help your family, loved ones, and Simpson University. Remember that writing a will is simple — and we are pleased to offer you a free planning guide to help! The guide is organized to help you think about the people, assets, and priorities in your life. Simply call us at 800-598-2239 or visit us at giftlegacy.simpson.com and click on “Wills Guide.”

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