A significant loss-Gary Simpkins

[Allen Ivey]

Dear Friends,

I just received a copy of Gary Simpkins and Frank Simpkins' book Between the Rhetoric and the Reality (Lauriat Press, 2009). There they speak of the BSPA in 1969 (p. 171) and Gary's early work in Ebonics -- well researched with excellent results. As Joe White and many others know, being an activist brings a high price in this society.

Gary, sad to say, passed on on August 26. I spoke to his brother just now (760-245-0948) and got this information. I would hope that the Black Students Psychological Association might look at his work and ensure that what he did becomes part of history.

Gary apparently was head of the BSPA when it disrupted the APA meetings in 1969. I would guess that Joe White recalls him. Gary wrote a book describing his experiences. I think it important to bring this new book to your awareness, if you have not seen it already.

Gary completed his doctorate at Harvard, but they refused to give him his degree, likely because of his activism. He went on to U. Mass. where he worked with Ellis Olim and did eventually receive his doctorate. I knew him reasonably well there, but was not fully aware of his work before and after UMass.

As I am a Harvard Ed.D., it was interesting to see his transcript attached to the book's appendix. At the top you see Ed.D. University of Massachusetts 1969. One cannot help but wonder why Harvard, who turned down a completed dissertation, lists the fact that another university conferred the degree. Simpkins cites the famed John Shlein and David McClellan as two who worked against him.

His "turned down" dissertation on teachng reading to African American students was field tested with real success by Houghton Mifflin.

My friends at UMass may want to pass on this information to the Dean and those who keep historical records. This book should be in our archives.

With warm greetings to you all,

Allen

Allen E. Ivey

www.allenivey.com

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