Your future, our focus
P O W E L L, W y o. - Alan and Ann Simpson will be on hand Thursday, Sept. 7, when the newest Northwest College residence hall is dedicated to them during an open house at 4 p.m. on the NWC campus in Powell.
The 80-bed Simpson Hall, completed just in time for fall semester, introduces suite-style living arrangements to the list of residential options at Northwest. The year-long building project was accomplished with proceeds from a $4.1 million insurance settlement received after the March 30, 2004, fire that destroyed Bridger Hall.
Both honorees were raised in Northwest College's service area and expanded their sphere of influence from the Big Horn Basin to Washington, D.C. and the nation.
Sen. Simpson initiated a long career in public service serving as a Northwest College trustee from 1968-76, a pivotal time in the college's history. During those years he previewed the sense of humor and hard work that would become his trademark, devoting elbow grease and stump time to get a ballot measure passed expanding NWC's tax district to include all of Park County.
The senator's wife, Ann Simpson, the former Ann Schroll of Greybull, has focused much of her energy on family, the arts and mental health issues. Besides teaching and real estate sales, she's devoted countless hours fund raising and supporting causes she's passionate about, including the Art Mobile and the University of Wyoming Art Museum. In Washington, she co-chaired the Congressional Wives Mental Health Committee, as well as the Yellowstone Behavior Health Clinic where she serves on the board of directors.
The public is invited to take tours of Simpson Hall, which will be conducted during the Thursday open house, giving visitors a glimpse at the "suite life" that's now a component of Northwest College. Each suite features a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and four bedrooms. The hall's common areas are also designed for today's college student with computer labs, quiet corners for studying, large common room and laundry room, and colorful decor
The popular living arrangement has helped fill the hall completely and played a factor in the college's enrollment jump this fall.
Visitors attending the open house are encouraged to use the Beckman St. parking lot in front of Cabre Gym and follow signs to the hall.