Nils Yngve Wessell (April 14, 1914 – March 4, 2007) was an American psychologist and the eighth president of Tufts University from 1953 to 1966, overseeing its transformation from a small liberal arts college to an internationally known research university.
In addition to the name change, Wessell committed to developing graduate programs in the colleges of arts, sciences and engineering in order to become a true research university.
Biology and chemistry laboratories, an engineering building, new dormitories, and the Wessell Library were built during his presidency, and the Experimental College and Lincoln Filene Center for Public Service were opened.
He resigned in 1966 due to his belief in "change in the office of president in a university every 10 or 15 years."
Wessell served as a member of the board of the trustees of his alma mater, Lafayette College, from 1958 to 1964.