11-05-2025
Missouri State University adds former employees Don Simpson, Kathy Davis to Wall of Fame
The founding leader of enrollment management and a champion for academic advising will be inducted into Missouri State University's Wall of Fame, an official recognition for former employees who made a lasting contribution.
The MSU Board of Governors voted May 8 to induct Don Simpson and Kathy Davis. Together, they devoted 66 years to the campus.
A formal induction ceremony will be scheduled for the fall. Their names will join 147 others on the wall.
Simpson, who worked at the university from August 1978 through July 2019, was the founding leader of enrollment management and services.
According to Missouri State, he played a pivotal role in shaping the unit and guiding the university through more than 25 years of sustained enrollment growth and supported the university's transition from Southwest Missouri State to Missouri State.
Known for his sharp attention to detail and clear communication, Simpson was meticulous in reviewing data and policies, often working through complex scenarios to improve university systems and student services. He prioritized students, championed quality service and modeled servant leadership.
David was director of what was then called the Academic Advisement Center for more than two decades, September 1993 through December 2019. It is now the Academic Advising and Transfer Center.
She secured funding to launch the Master Advisor Program. Other initiatives included advisor workshops, advising notes and the Provost Academic Advising Council. Her work improved advising consistency, professional development and student support, earning national recognition for the university in 1997.
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Their names will be added to the wall outside of the Plaster Student Union Grand Ballroom. They were nominated and had the meet the following criteria: Work at MSU for at least 10 years, stopped working full-time at MSU at least five years ago, and significantly contributed to the success of students.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State University adds two former employees to Wall of Fame
