Jay Byers, president of Simpson College, dies at 54
Updated: 5:30 PM CDT Apr 17, 2025
SUZANNE. THANK YOU. WE’RE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS OUT OF INDIANOLA TONIGHT. SIMPSON COLLEGE PRESIDENT JAY BYERS HAS DIED. KCCI LEARNED ABOUT THE NEWS JUST MINUTES AGO. BYERS GRADUATED FROM SIMPSON IN 1993. HE WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. JAY BYERS WAS 54 YEARS OLD. SIMPSON COLLEGE FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS HAD AN EMERGENCY MEETING JUST BEFORE 4:00 THIS AFTERNOON. KCCI HAS A CREW ON THE WAY.
Jay Byers, president of Simpson College, dies at 54
Updated: 5:30 PM CDT Apr 17, 2025
Jay Byers, president of Simpson College in Indianola, has died at age 54, the college confirmed on Thursday.Byers, a 1993 graduate of the college, had been president at Simpson since July 2023. Prior to that, he was the CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the college’s Board of Trustees Chair Terry Handley, said a wellness check was conducted at the president’s residence, known as the Sigler House, shortly after noon when Byers missed a scheduled Zoom meeting. Handley said this was “extremely unusual” for Byers to miss a meeting.“This is stunning and devastating news to all of us on campus,” Handley said.The Indianola chief of police said Byers’ death is currently under investigation, but authorities do not believe a criminal act contributed to his death.Handley said Simpson classes have been canceled for Friday and grief counselors will be available for students and staff.“Jay Byers had tremendous passion for Simpson College,” Handley said. “Jay loved this place. He loved everyone associated with Simpson College.”Byers was hospitalized for about three days following a serious car crash in Des Moines last June. After being released from the hospital, Byers continued recovering at home until he returned to work in mid-August. This is a developing story. Check back with KCCI for updates.WATCH: Full press conference after death of Simpson College President Jay Byers» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
INDIANOLA, Iowa —Jay Byers, president of Simpson College in Indianola, has died at age 54, the college confirmed on Thursday.
Byers, a 1993 graduate of the college, had been president at Simpson since July 2023. Prior to that, he was the CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the college’s Board of Trustees Chair Terry Handley, said a wellness check was conducted at the president’s residence, known as the Sigler House, shortly after noon when Byers missed a scheduled Zoom meeting. Handley said this was “extremely unusual” for Byers to miss a meeting.
“This is stunning and devastating news to all of us on campus,” Handley said.
The Indianola chief of police said Byers’ death is currently under investigation, but authorities do not believe a criminal act contributed to his death.
Handley said Simpson classes have been canceled for Friday and grief counselors will be available for students and staff.
“Jay Byers had tremendous passion for Simpson College,” Handley said. “Jay loved this place. He loved everyone associated with Simpson College.”
Byers was hospitalized for about three days following a serious car crash in Des Moines last June. After being released from the hospital, Byers continued recovering at home until he returned to work in mid-August.
This is a developing story. Check back with KCCI for updates.
WATCH: Full press conference after death of Simpson College President Jay Byers
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