James Simpson was the oldest of thirteen (13) children from Zanesville, Ohio. Being the first to attend college, he led the education train for the family and related friends with a current number of nine (9) CSU graduates and twenty-two (22) having attended other HBCUs such as Langston, Howard, Morehouse, Spelman, Morgan State and Tuskegee.

While attending public school in Zanesville, he was often the only Black student in class. When he graduated from High School in 1949, college was not a consideration for his future, but one day, he arrived home to find his mother weeping happy tears. In her hands she held an official letter from Central State University, advising him he had been awarded a scholarship to attend. Still, he didn’t think that college was really a part of his future. He said he would go for one week to check it out then return home. During his first week, he attended a freshman vesper service. While walking with his fellow classmates during that event, he was overcome with emotion and realized that an HBCU was where he was meant to be, not just for school, but for the rest of his life. With that realization, he stayed. It was there that he had his first Black teachers, and it was those CSU teachers who inspired and encouraged him to pursue a degree in Chemistry.

Drafted for active duty in the United States Army, he in Korea from 1955-57. When he returned to the United States, he was employed by yet another HBCU, Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma and remained there for 36 years in various capacities. He started as Assistant Professor of the Chemistry Department, then was Dean of Development and University Relations and ascended to the position of Chairman of the Department of Physical Sciences.

James Allan Simpson was a phenomenal educator and professor who poured his heart and soul into his work. His chosen career was his means to a legacy of positively impacting and changing the lives of many of his students. In nominating her father to the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Dr. Lynne Simpson stated she was reminded of the quote by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, “A good teacher is like a candle, it consumes itself to light the path for others.”

Simpson was a member of the American Chemical Society and Beta Kappa Chi Honorary Scientific Society. He is also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and charter member of Delta Xi Chapter at Central State University. While at Central, he had the honor of working for Central’s founder and first president, Charles. S. Wesley. He is also a Deacon at New Hope Baptist Church in Langston, OK.

Married for sixty (62) years to his late wife, Dr. Wessylyne Simpson for 62 years, Simpson has three children and multiple grandchildren and great grand-children.

The Florida Everglades Alumni Chapter salutes CSU graduate James A. Simpson, Class of 1953!