FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cindy Deppe, media relations, 641-269-4834

June 4, 2008

C. WILLIAM SIMMONS '58 HONORED AT GRINNELL COLLEGE ALUMNI REUNION

GRINNELL, IA - Grinnell College recognized the professional accomplishments and service contributions of 12 alumni during Alumni Reunion Weekend, May 28-June 1 on the Grinnell campus. Alumni Award winners are members of reunion classes who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities and embody Grinnell’s mission of life-long learning and service.

C. William Simmons, a 1958 graduate of Grinnell College from La Jolla, Calif., received an Alumni Award as a member of the 50th reunion class. Following is the citation read about Simmons’ accomplishments: "A liberal arts education gives its graduates a broad foundation from which to pursue their goals. Through his diverse career and volunteer achievements, this alumnus epitomizes the spirit of the liberal arts.

As a student, this alumnus participated in band, men’s government, and varsity swimming. He earned a degree in music composition from Grinnell and a J.D. from the University of California. After several years as a lawyer, this alumnus combined his passion for law and the environment. He spent more than a decade fighting for cleaner air through government agencies in California. His work helped prompt the installation of catalytic converters to reduce auto emissions. He was also responsible for guidelines requiring service stations to recover gasoline vapors, now a standard practice in many states.

For more than 15 years, he was a residential real estate broker in San Diego. He built his franchise from a two-person operation to a business with 80 agents. He sold his business, presciently, in 2003. Currently, he has a limited real estate law practice, settling disputes among buyers, sellers, and brokers. This alumnus has been a generous volunteer for many environmental organizations. His pro bono legal expertise helped protect nearly 3,000 acres of land for the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. He has served as chair of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club. For embodying the ideals of a Grinnell education, we are pleased to honor C. William Simmons ’58."

Grinnell College is a nationally recognized, private, four year, liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. Founded in 1846, Grinnell enrolls 1,600 students from all 50 states and from as many international countries in more than 25 major fields, interdisciplinary concentrations, and pre-professional programs.

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