Edwin Erle Sparks

Edwin Erle Sparks
Sparks pictured in La Vie 1920, Penn State yearbook
President of
Penn State University
In office
1908–1920
Preceded by James A. Beaver
Succeeded by John Martin Thomas
Personal details
Born July 16, 1860
Newark, Ohio
Died June 15, 1924 (aged 63)
State College, Pennsylvania
Alma mater Ohio State University
University of Chicago

Edwin Erle Sparks (July 16, 1860 – June 15, 1924) was the eighth president of the Pennsylvania State University, serving from 1908 until 1920.

Biography

Sparks 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, and 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.

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Academic offices
Preceded by
James A. Beaver		 Pennsylvania State University President
1908 – 1921 		Succeeded by
John Martin Thomas