Edwin Erle Sparks

Infobox University Chancellor
name = Edwin Erle Sparks


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university = Penn State University
term_start = 1908
term_end = 1920
birth_date = July 16, 1860
birth_place = Newark, Ohio
death_date = June 15, 1924
death_place =
predecessor = James A. Beaver
successor = John Martin Thomas
alma_mater = Ohio State University University of Chicago
residence =
profession =
religion =
salary =
spouse =
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Edwin Erle Sparks (July 16, 1860 – June 15, 1924) was the eighth president of the Pennsylvania State University, serving from 1908 until 1920.

Biography

Saprks was born in Newark, Ohio on July 16, 1860. After high school, he attended Ohio Wesleyan University for two years and the Ohio State University, Class of 1884. He was a Phi beta Kappa, received his M.A. from Harvard University, his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and his LL.D. from Lehigh University. He married Katherine Bullard Cotton on January 1, 1890.

Sparks became a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity at Ohio Weslayen and a founder and charter member of the Iota chapter at the Ohio State University. He served as the Grand Gamma (National Secretary) of the Fraternity and was also instrumental in bringing Chi Phi to Penn State just before his death in 1924. In his memory, Chi Phi established the Sparks Memorial Medal, presented to the undergraduate member in each chapter who had during the preceding year, the highest grade point average.

References

* [http://www.lias.psu.edu/speccolls/psua/psgeneralhistory/presidents/sparks.htm Penn State Presidents and their achievements]
* The Chronicles of Chi Phi, 1976

External links

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Persondata
NAME=Sparks, Edwin Erle
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Eighth president of Penn State University
DATE OF BIRTH=July 16, 1860
PLACE OF BIRTH=Newark, Ohio
DATE OF DEATH=1924
PLACE OF DEATH=