The Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Inc. (OAAE) announces posthumous induction of career Langston University educator, Dr. Wessylyne Alford Simpson, as a member of the 2022 class of OAAE Hall of Fame Inductees. The Induction ceremony will be held on Friday, September 30th at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The doors will open at 6:30 PM, and the ceremony will begin at 7:00 PM.
Dr. Wessylyne Alford Simpson, the youngest of sixteen children, was born November 1, 1930, to Wesley Dow Alford and Emily Dunlap Alford in Little Hill Community, Oklahoma. Her schooling began at Little Hill Elementary School in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma. She excelled in all subjects, especially science and mathematics. In 1948, she graduated as valedictorian of Clearview High School, then, she matriculated to join her brother and sister, Romeo, and Violet, at Langston University. There she majored in chemistry and minored in mathematics and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1952.
Wessylyne knew at the age of five that she desired to be a teacher after she observed her older sister, Sylvia teaching students. That desire came to fruition in 1952 when she accepted her first teaching position at Favor High School in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
On the campus of Langston University, specifically in the Chemistry Department, she met and fell in love with fellow faculty member, James Allan Simpson in the Fall of 1957; they were married in the Spring of 1958. Being kindred spirits in their mutual love for HBCUs, they decided that they would devote their careers to serving at one.
Mrs. Simpson pursued her graduate degrees at nearby Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The university was still segregated during the first semester of her master’s program; however, she was allowed to attend classes. She earned her Master of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Doctor of Education degree in Behavioral Science.
In 1953, she began her tenure at Langston University, where she was a Chemistry Instructor (1953-1967), and Associate Professor/Dean of Women (1957-1967). Then, in 1967, she was selected as Chairman in the Department of Education at Wilberforce University in Ohio, where she remained for two years. Dr. Simpson returned to Langston University in 1967 as the Director of SEA/Cooperative Research and Director for the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Even after retirement in 1987, she continued to work at her “BELOVED” LU as a consultant to assist with the accreditation process and taught for the newly established Graduate Program in the School of Education.
Dr. Simpson was a wellrespected and highly dedicated educator, role model, and mentor throughout her career. Her colleagues, students and friends described her as brilliant, thorough, dedicated, compassionate and sharp. She was a gifted scientist, mathematician, teacher, and administrator, who refused to allow students to believe that their starting point in life would determine their ending point. She often used her own life story to emphasize that point by sharing with them how “a little country girl from Little Hill Community” ascended to the position of a college professor. In 1978, she was Langston University’s Teacher of the Year and honored with an education citation from the Oklahoma State Legislature and membership on the Southern Regional Education Board. Some of her professional affiliations and civic organizations included: Society of Professors of Education, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (charter member of Epsilon Chapter), American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she was elected as the 22nd Mid-Western Regional Director (1986- 1990). Additionally, she was a member of the Oklahoma State Regents Committee on Research and Graduate Education.
Dr. Simpson and her beloved husband, James Allan Simpson, were married for 62 years. They were the proud parents of Michael, James Wesley, and Lynne - all graduates of Langston University. They have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Langston for over 40 years.
Dr. Wessylyne Alford Simpson’s passion for education was the driving force behind her efforts to ensure that her students earned the best possible education. In her letter of recommendation, Dr. Joyce Henderson stated, “She impacted so many students as she was an example of a Trailblazer Educator.”
For more information regarding tickets, access the OAAE, Inc. website, www.oaaehof.org and download the invitation or call Shirley Nero at (918) 698-6037.