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President & CEO Update

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Redding’s Hometown University

Simpson University celebrates its 100th birthday in 2021. The university has been in three locations over the past century, landing in Redding 32 years ago in 1989. I have attended the annual business luncheon for many years, served on the university’s community advisory board, and even thrown batting practice for the baseball team (My right arm is also known as a “confidence builder” for the Redhawks batters.). The question I pose to you is this: Do you think of the university as a part of the fabric of the community? I can tell you that since the moment current Simpson president, Dr. Norm Hall, arrived a few years ago, his aim is for the greater community of Redding to see Simpson as “Redding’s Hometown University”. There are many reasons for we, the people of the Redding business community, to be proud of the home of the Redhawks.
simpson universityAccording to an independent study, Simpson University has an annual economic impact in the city of Redding of $55 million. In the six-county region of Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Siskiyou, Lassen and Modoc counties, the private four-year university contributes more than $95 million to the economy through operations, capital investments, ancillary spending, and wage premiums. For the complete article, please CLICK HERE.

Simpson University is one of the few West Coast colleges to be open during the 2020-21 school year, working closely with public health officials to follow COVID-19 protocols. Despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic, Simpson University has experienced enrollment growth for three consecutive years. Here are five recent notable reasons to cheer for “Redding’s hometown university”:

simpson university campus• Simpson University’s Betty M. Dean School of Nursing is ranked No. 7 among California nursing schools (see article).

• Simpson University’s Bass Fishing Team was named Western Conference School of the Year by Major League Fishing (see article).

• New athletic programs: swimming and diving, track and field, men’s volleyball, and women’s wrestling (simpsonredhawks.com)

• New academic programs: kinesiology, digital media, computer information systems, engineering, and online business administration

• Simpson University received its sixth federal grant in three years to help students stay in school, graduate, and find meaningful employment — $1.3 million for the Student Support Services program (see article). Other grants support Upward Bound and GEAR UP, working in North State middle and high schools.

Impressive, isn’t it? By the way, the Simpson University Business Luncheon is in the planning stages for 2021. We will be sure to let you know when the tickets go on sale. See you there.
Jake Mangas
President & CEO
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