Simpson's second home: San Francisco
By: Cody Kirch
Issue date: 3/13/09 Section: News
When asked about the San Francisco
campus's student life, Adjunct Professor
of History Donald Claspill said, "Music
was a big deal there. Most of the students
who could sing at all would try out for
the Simpson chorale."
According to Professor Glenn Schafer,
Frances P. Owen distinguished professor
of Old Testament emeritus, another
integral part of the San Francisco campus
was its prominent cultural variety.
"We lost ethnic diversity…typically
a dozen different languages would be
spoken at any one time on [the San
Francisco] campus," he said.
Students at the San Francisco campus
always had something to do out in
the surrounding area. Pier 39, Fisherman's
Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Bud's Ice Cream and the beach were just a few of the favorite hangout spots for Simpson students at the time.
Simpson University also had a strong
hand in developing the emerging leaders of Jews for Jesus- an evangelistic organization based in San Francisco committed to the conversion of Jews to Christianity.
"They were quite a dynamic group of individuals…changed the whole feel of the student body," said Stuart Compton, archivist in residence, in reference to the Jews for Jesus' impact on the San Francisco campus.
For nearly 34 years ranging from
1955-1989, Simpson's campus rested
in the eclectic and diverse city of San
Francisco. Now, a large and flourishing
Chinese church resides in the main building that once served as the Simpson home.
Although the heart of Simpson is
no longer in San Francisco, the college's
legacy continues to impact the
city through the lives and work of its
former students.
campus's student life, Adjunct Professor
of History Donald Claspill said, "Music
was a big deal there. Most of the students
who could sing at all would try out for
the Simpson chorale."
According to Professor Glenn Schafer,
Frances P. Owen distinguished professor
of Old Testament emeritus, another
integral part of the San Francisco campus
was its prominent cultural variety.
"We lost ethnic diversity…typically
a dozen different languages would be
spoken at any one time on [the San
Francisco] campus," he said.
Students at the San Francisco campus
always had something to do out in
the surrounding area. Pier 39, Fisherman's
Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Bud's Ice Cream and the beach were just a few of the favorite hangout spots for Simpson students at the time.
Simpson University also had a strong
hand in developing the emerging leaders of Jews for Jesus- an evangelistic organization based in San Francisco committed to the conversion of Jews to Christianity.
"They were quite a dynamic group of individuals…changed the whole feel of the student body," said Stuart Compton, archivist in residence, in reference to the Jews for Jesus' impact on the San Francisco campus.
For nearly 34 years ranging from
1955-1989, Simpson's campus rested
in the eclectic and diverse city of San
Francisco. Now, a large and flourishing
Chinese church resides in the main building that once served as the Simpson home.
Although the heart of Simpson is
no longer in San Francisco, the college's
legacy continues to impact the
city through the lives and work of its
former students.
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