| Dear CCA community, It is with great sadness I inform you that longtime CCA trustee Barclay Simpson passed away on Saturday, November 8, at the age of 93. Barclay was one of CCA's most enthusiastic supporters. He believed deeply in the transformative power of education and played an important part in the stewardship of the college for the past 28 years. Barclay was a dear friend and trusted advisor to me, and I will feel his loss deeply. Barclay and his wife, Sharon, have given generously to CCA to support a number of projects, and you can find the Simpson name prominently displayed on both campuses. A gift from the Simpsons in 1998 helped us build the Sharon Hanley Simpson Library, a vital part of the San Francisco campus. The Simpson Library facilitated a major expansion in academic resources, including strategic growth in the library collection. You can also find the Simpson name on the award-winning sculpture facility in Oakland, which was completed in 1993. The Simpsons have also been generous supporters of the Center for Art and Public Life and the CCA Scholarship Fund. In keeping with their commitment to supporting art in the community, they endowed the Barclay Simpson Chair of Community Arts at CCA. One of Barclay's lasting legacies is the Barclay Simpson Award, established in 1987. This generous award has given 87 CCA graduate student artists crucial financial support and an exhibition opportunity at a pivotal point in their development. The list of Simpson award winners who have gone on to become successful and recognized artists is impressive. In acknowledgement of his many contributions to the community, Simpson was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from CCA in 2005. During Barclay’s long tenure on the CCA Board of Trustees, he served in several leadership positions, including advancement committee chair for six years. During that time, he increased contributions significantly, brought on new trustees and new donors, and made leadership gifts that enabled the college's expansion in the late 1990s. Barclay Simpson was chairman emeritus of Simpson Mfg. Co. He served on the boards of several Bay Area organizations, including Berkeley Art Museum and Girls, Inc. of Alameda County. I extend my deepest condolences to Sharon and the Simpson family. In keeping with his wishes there will be no memorial service. CCA will explore an opportunity to honor Barclay as part of the Simpson Awards exhibition and ceremony this spring. We will keep you informed as plans evolve. Sincerely, Stephen Beal |