Ms. Marian Simpson
​Dance Legacy Award

Marian Simpson began her teaching career in 1955 at Daniel Webster High School, Tulsa, OK, after earning a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, OK.  She later completed a MA from Texas Woman’s University, which led to her position at Pittsburg State College, KS. During her 50+ year career, Marian Simpson taught physical education and dance, performed, coached, and sponsored teams. She officiated for sports at the secondary and higher education levels (including the Air Force Academy and U. S. Olympic Training Center). She served as a department chair, artistic director, conference planner, curriculum writer, staff development facilitator, and a university

program coordinator. She worked and volunteered in many states and is respected for her expertise in ethics and board policy.  She served as a leader and mentor on many professional associations’ committees and boards at the state, district, and national levels.  She was the Central District (AAHPERD) president of dance for two terms and president of the National Dance Association.  She is a founding member of the National Dance Society.  She received numerous Presidential Citations from the National Dance Association and the Joy of Effort Award from Colorado SHAPE.  Although Marian Simpson has received much recognition for good works, she considers her most significant efforts as those centered on creating programs for students with special needs in the middle schools, high schools, and institutions of higher education that she taught. We are honored to present Marian Simpson with the National Dance Society’s 2017 Dance Legacy Award.