Penn State University - La Vie Yearbook (University Park, PA)

Page 16 text:

I-IE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETI-I JUNE 15, 1924 Elle :luseh lgis hunk emu put asihe liis pen, 24115 lreing fueurg, luih liint hufun 'tu resl. 4 o Q o o Q Ullieg furute lgis name in flge Zllluulz uf the ,lfleuul f!5rezit suuls like lgim cam neimer hie. ,Still u'er tlie campus lgis spirit liruuhs, Hlluiriug tlge guutlg, us lge zilfnaigs luireu. 0511, fuursliip tlie niuuzifziins lie ziuureu, Smile un tlie imllegs zis lge sxuileu, Qllllailla 'neatly tlie trees fuliere lie lgais fuaillueu, ,Qfllullufu tlge pziilis lie useu fu treziu, 05ii1e tu nizuiliixiu the luiw lie gziiie. Weep silentg gun mug lgezir lgis ixuice. lie reiiereutg gun mug see liis faire. Ullieg furute his mime in the gliuuk uf the gflezxul f!5reut luiie lilze lgis ram ueher hie. M.M.H

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DR. EDWIN ERLE SPARKS I By Edwin W. Runlde The work of President Sparks at The Pennsylvania State College began Principal of the Preparatory Department, 1890-1895. Hisiannual reports reveal the enthusiastic, progressive manner in which he approached his task. A bulletin was issued to build up pride in the department, a volunteer debating society was formed, and six prizes were offered by the teachers for the best essays and declamations. He recommended a printing outfit for training in English and Journalism. Later reports emphasized the need of ade- quate buildings, of afliliated relations with schools preparing men for uState,,' and the spe- cial kind of preparatory training demanded by our technical courses. Dr. Sparks wrote and spoke graphically, and his earliest articles published in the Uni- versity Extension Magazine in 1893, attracted the attention of President Harper who was unusually alert for the most promising men for the new University of Chicago. As teacher of American History at Chicago, 1895-1908, his scholarship and productive activity led to the Doctor's degree. Here too, his love for sources brought a rich garner of fact and inter- pretation which was carried beyond the class-room to the lecture platform of nearly every state in the Union. Extension was a vital part of Dr. Sparks' conception of teaching, and his adaptation of the results of study and research to the genuinely trying demands of the public platform constitute one of his outstanding achievements. As an administrator, he in- variably started with the opportunities of teaching, and if there was any divided self in his make-up, it was at the point where his first love as teacher clashed with the exigencies of administration. . His eleven or more published books and nume1'ous articles attest his interest, also, in genuine scholarship. As Regent-General of Phi Kappa Phi, Dr. Sparks has carried, in recent years, this needed gospel in Colleges from Maine to California. As member of the .American Historical Association, the Archives Commission, as Director of the Illinois His- torical Society, and other professional societies, he has taught future teachers, as well as directed and stimulated publication. As chairman of the celebration of the Lincoln-Doug las Debates and of the History Committee on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the found- ing of Chicago, his activity in promoting the marking of Historical Places, participation in Chamber ol' Commerce, Civic and Conservation relations are examples of the many, many ways in which he broadened his teaching to attain democratic ideas and ideals. Following the death of President George W. Atherton, whose twenty-four years of ser- vice laid broad and deep the foundation ol' Penn State, Dr. Sparks was unanimously chosen to the Presidency. The administration of Dr. Sparks, the eighth President of the College will be known for its extension activity. It signally augmented the foundational work of President Atherton, to embrace a State-wide service, as well as to be a training place for Farmers, Engineers, Chemists, Vlfriters, Teachers and other professions. Ten new buildings were erected, nearly one thousand acres added to the farms, New Beaver Field laid out. The School of the Liberal Arts was formed by combining smaller units. The 16