Professor William Simpkins is the next chair of the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, an academic department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He also holds the Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology. Simpkins succeeds Professor Neal Iverson, who remains on the Iowa State faculty.
William Simpkins“Bill Simpkins has received the support of the faculty and staff in his department through his thoughtful and selfless leadership and service at Iowa State and in his professional community,” said Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I am excited for him to be successful in this new leadership position as well.”
Simpkins’ research interests in hydrogeology focus on groundwater flow and geochemical reactions in unlithified (non-rock) sediment, particularly aquitards of glacial origin. He examines physical and chemical interactions of groundwater with lakes and streams, uses isotopes and human enteric viruses to investigate groundwater source and age, and applies computer models to simulate watershed hydrology and assess aquifer sustainability.
Jo Anne Powell-Coffman, chair of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology chaired the search committee. "Bill Simpkins has a long record of service to his profession and to the university, and he has the trust and respect of his department colleagues.”
Simpkins earned his Ph.D. in geology and geophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 and joined Iowa State that year. He received the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2008, and was selected as a Master Teacher for 2002-03.
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About Liberal Arts and Sciences The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a world-class learning and research community. Iowa State’s most academically diverse college, LAS educates students to become global citizens, providing rigorous academic programs in the sciences, humanities and social sciences within a supportive personalized learning environment. College faculty design new materials, unravel biological structures, care for the environment, and explore social and behavioral issues. From fundamental research to technology transfer and artistic expression, the college supports people in Iowa and around the world.
NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iowa State University
Contacts: William Simpkins, Geological & Atmospheric Sciences, (515) 294-1837, (bsimp@iastate.edu) Laura Wille, Liberal Arts & Sciences Communications, (515) 294-7742, (lge@iastate.edu)