INDIANOLA, Iowa — Simpson College President Jay Byers has died.

WHO 13 confirmed that the college announced the news to students and staff during an assembly on campus Thursday afternoon.

Byers graduated from Simpson College in 1993 and was announced as the college’s 25th president in 2023. Prior to his time as college president, Byers was the president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership for 11 years.

The college announced it would be holding a news conference Thursday at 4:45 p.m. This is a developing story, check back to www.who13.com for updates.