We Honor the Memory of our friend, Devoted Educator, and mentor Desiann “Desa” Dawson
The Alliance Française d'Oklahoma City mourns the passing of Desa Dawson, a tireless champion of world languages, a devoted educator, and a significant leader in Franco-American educational exchange in Oklahoma.
We extend our deepest condolences to Desa's family, friends, students, and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Desa will be remembered for many things, among them her foundational role in securing the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Académie d’Amiens in March 2007, and for helping establish the endowment that will sustain the Franco-American Fellows Program for generations to come. Through her vision and dedication, Oklahoma students will continue to have the life-changing opportunity to study in France, forging connections and friendships across cultures long into the future. The French government recognized her contributions by naming her Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques, one of France's most distinguished honors for service to education and culture.
The endowment she helped create will endure. The program she helped build will continue to thrive. And the relationships she made possible will deepen with each new generation of scholars. That is Desa’s legacy — lasting, far-reaching, and profoundly meaningful.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
Please read these beautiful tributes
(click to open)
Memorandum of Understanding