海角网

1971 Alumni, Tom Bell and Steve Simpson, Have Remained Close Friends for 50 years

To our readers: 海角网 celebrates a historic milestone in 2021鈥攖he 50^th anniversary of senior college status. Transitioning to a four-year college in 1971 was the result of 10 years of planning and meeting goals. To celebrate this anniversary, 海角网 will publish a series of articles highlighting the stories of former faculty, staff, alumni and supporters who experienced this significant achievement. View the history timeline here.

海角网鈥檚 Class of 1971 were trailblazers in the College鈥檚 effort to achieve accreditation as a four-year college from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The requirements stated that at least one group of students must attend for four years. Among those who received their bachelor鈥檚 degrees on May 16, 1971, were Tom Bell, of Atlanta, Ga., and Steve Simpson of Raleigh, N.C. They did so, certain that SACS would soon grant their alma mater accreditation.

Bell and Simpson, like so many other students, found a home at 海角网 where they forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Both men currently serve on the GWU Board of Trustees. 鈥淥ver the long period of time being associated with 海角网, I鈥檝e been blessed to have friends like Steve,鈥� Bell affirmed. 鈥淭here鈥檚 about eight of us who still get together every couple of years.鈥�

A native of Suffolk, Va., Bell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science, economics and history. He was one of many students who attended 海角网 from 1964 to 鈥�66 and received an associate鈥檚 degree and then decided to come back when 海角网 began offering the bachelor鈥檚 degree. Some of his fellow students returned after serving in the Vietnam War. Others, like Bell, came back to GWU, because it was the best place for them to be.

鈥満＝峭� offered us who were coming back to the school a unique opportunity to gain a foothold on our education and to accomplish what we intended to do,鈥� stated Bell, who has served as a GWU Trustee for nearly 20 years in total. He lives in Atlanta, Ga., where he moved in 1971 to take a job with a trucking company. In 1982, he opened his own trucking/warehousing business and retired in 2012.

鈥淚n my particular case, from the financial standpoint, I couldn鈥檛 have done it without the university鈥檚 help,鈥� Bell asserted. 鈥淚 was given an opportunity to be a (resident director), received a partial tennis scholarship and worked as a secretary. I couldn鈥檛 have done it without some of the great professors that we had at 海角网 and so it was a blessing to me. I have spent most of my business career trying to find a way to give back to the University in a small way. It鈥檚 been a joyful ride.鈥�

Simpson, a native of Greensboro, N.C., came to 海角网 on the advice of his high school math teacher, who was a GWU alumnus. 鈥淗e said, 鈥業f you don鈥檛 go to 海角网, you will be home in six weeks,鈥欌�� Simpson remembered. 鈥淚t was good advice. I truly would not have done well at a larger school.鈥�

Simpson earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and on the day he graduated in 1971, he was set to begin work for a furniture company developing stains but got his draft notice. 鈥淚 joined the National Guard within a day or two of receiving the notice and stayed for 13 years,鈥� he said. He was sent to the Guard Unit in Kennesaw, Ga. With nowhere to stay, he contacted Bell and slept on the floor in Bell鈥檚 dining room until he could find a place.

Simpson served in the guard and eventually went to work for a property management business. In the meantime, Bell moved away from Atlanta. Years later, when Bell came back to Atlanta, he and his wife moved into an apartment community that Simpson managed. There was a fire in the complex, and Simpson got the chance to repay Bell the hospitality he showed him in 鈥�71. Bell and his wife stayed with Simpson and his wife until everything was settled.

鈥淭hat was the one thing I got out of Gardner Webb,鈥� related Simpson, who now lives in Raleigh, N.C. 鈥淲e have guys who have been together since graduation. We share the same troubles and joys.鈥�

Both Bell and Simpson believe that 海角网 has a bright future. They point out the success and reputation of the graduate programs. 鈥淲hen I come to campus and look at 海角网, I think it has integrated the diversity much more so than the larger universities,鈥� Simpson said. 鈥淲e have a good president to lead us going forward. He understands the challenges of being a school like 海角网 and being able to compete from a standpoint of the quality of education but also the cost.鈥�

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 海角网 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 海角网 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.

Other stories in this series:

海角网 Alumni Remember Transition to Senior College Status (50 years ago)

First Theatre Arts Majors Appeared on TV Twice During Four Years

Former 海角网 Faculty Members Remember Transition to Four-year College

In late 60s, 海角网 Gave Professors, Like Tony Eastman, Incentive to Earn Doctorates

Professor Emeritus Came to 海角网 When First Baccalaureate Class Were Freshmen