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Page 18 text:
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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
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Page 19 text:
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Departments of Forestry, Home Economics, Architectural and Milling Engineering were established, and Deans of Men and Wornen appointed. The Agricultural School differ. entiated its work into seven distinct lines, and although organized prior to Dr. Sparks Animal Nutrition was erected into a separate division. , 'GTO carry the College of the State to the people of the Staten the extension avenues were greatly enhanced. To reach 'the teachers of the State, the Summer School for teachers was opened in 1910. Its initial gospel was a summer school for teachers only, but it has grown into a summer session of the College, an integral and important part of the college year, Extension service was instituted in Agriculture, in Engineering, in Mining, and in Liberal Arts. The County Agent work was begun and Farmers' Week held at the College. A Col- lege news service, under an efficient editor was instituted, and an active campaign to place the College before all the people, all the time, has been abundantly justified. The first year of President Sparks administration, 1908-1909, the faculty numbered 138, the total attendance was 1,151, of which number 909 were in four year courses. In 1920 the faculty, teaching, research and extension, numbered 518. The student body had risen to a total of 1L,316, of whom 2,936 were in regular four year courses. The summer school and short courses enrolled 131129, while 76 were registered as candidates for ad- vanced degrees. During his term of office, President Sparks handed diplomas to 3,858 graduates, which is about three times the number issued during the entire preceding half century of the existence of the College. The advent of the War placed a peculiarly difficult problem upon the administration of our American'Colleges. The military aims narrowly conceived could have entirely ob- scured the educational. To hold the ship ofthe College safe in the midst of so many and diverse currents was a task to try the soul of any man. The College dedicated its every re- est to realize those aims called for a wise dis- crimination twixt the temporary and the more permanent. Training groups were organ- ized ambulance units formed, vocational classes graduated in rapid succession. Barracks 7 were erected, special schedules put in force, and the entire curriculum of the College was adjusted to best serve the intensive training in what were deemed the essentials of service. source to the aims of the country, but how b Broken in health but not in spirit or in his love for Penn State, Dr. Sparks retired June 30, 1920. He continued his vital interest in all good things for the College, became lecturer in American History, and one might almost say lecturer to the entire college fraternity. De- spite the misgivings that some f aint-hearted may have felt in having an ex-president resid-- ing on the campus, the false Prophets of Baal were discomfited and all his relations with the administration of President Thomas, the faculty and students were ideally happy. Dr. Sparks continued to the very day of his death fand often far beyond the power of body or mind to justifyj a radical lover of Penn State, a firm friend of all her sons and daugh. ters, and an almost fpathetically so at timesj doting father to the student body to whom he 79 affectionately referred as my boys and girls. His place in the history of Penn State and in the affections of all who love her, is secure. 17
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