The Polish Society of Soil Science honored Sparks' contributions to the international soil science community at a banquet during its 27th Congress, held at the Warsaw Agricultural University in Warsaw, Poland, in September. The meeting celebrated the 70th year anniversary of the Polish Society of Soil Science. In his plenary talk, Sparks, whose scientific contributions in the areas of kinetics of soil chemical processes, surface chemistry of soils and contaminant interactions with natural materials were cited in his award, discussed how soil science will address social needs and connect to other disciplines in the future.
“I talked about how important it is to convey the relevance of soil science and the environment to the public and to students,” Sparks said, sitting in his Townsend Hall office, filled with plaques and framed awards.
This was not the first time Sparks had gathered with members of the Polish Society of Soil Science. When he served as president of the International Union of Soil Sciences, he attended the society's 66th Congress, and he welcomed them to Philadelphia for last year's World Congress of Soil Science.
Józef Chojnicki, secretary of the Polish Society of Soil Science, said Spark's research achievements and leadership as president of the International Union of Soil Science are appreciated internationally. “His active participation...in two congresses of the Polish Soil Science Society (2003 and 2007) had a positive influence on the development and promotion of soil science as a scientific discipline in Poland,” Chojnicki said, adding that Sparks' support of Polish soil scientists in the International Union of Soil Sciences helped forge a relationship between the Polish Soil Science Society and the Soil Science Society of America.
Sparks also received honors from the University of Kentucky, where he earned his bachelor's degree in agronomy and his master's in soil science, and from Virginia Tech, where he earned his doctorate in soil physical chemistry.
The University of Kentucky granted him a Distinguished Alumnus Award in April in recognition of his significant career achievements as an alumnus of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Sparks visited the university for two days and gave a lecture. He said he enjoyed connecting with two of his former students, Chris Matocha and David McNear, who are now faculty members at the university.
Virginia Tech honored Sparks' achievements as an alumnus of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences on Oct. 12. Sparks visited the campus to give a seminar and said he enjoyed seeing another of his former students, Matthew Eick, who is now on the Virginia Tech faculty.
“It's nice to go back to where you're from and see your students on the faculties that taught you. Science is such a small world,” Sparks said.
Article by Katie Ginder-Vogel
Photo by Duane Perry
