UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 32, Page 1
May 19, 1994
Donald L. Sparks named a distinguished professor

     Donald L. Sparks of Newark, chairperson of the Department of Plant and
Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware, has been named a Distinguished
Professor of Soil Science, in recognition of his distinguished service as a
teacher and scholar, Richard B. Murray, interim University provost,
announced today.
     "The recommendation for this appointment comes from John C. Nye, dean
of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and from Dr. Sparks' colleagues in
the college who cited him for his outstanding contributions in the field of
soil science, particularly the chemical reactions that occur among soils,
plant nutrients and pollutants," Murray said. "Evidence of Dr. Sparks'
ability to challenge and motivate young scientists is evident in the
successful accomplishments of his many graduate and postdoctoral students."
     "The College of Agricultural Sciences is honored to have this
recognition for one of our outstanding faculty members," Nye said. "It is
particularly appropriate that Don Sparks be honored since he brings a
dedication and commitment to his research and to his students."
     Initial funding for this position comes from gifts to the University
from the A. Palmer Corey family in Bridgeville, Del., and from Mildred M.
Meredith of Newburgh, N.Y., who made a gift in memory of her late husband,
John, who was a member of the University's class of 1919 in agriculture. It
is anticipated that friends of agriculture will make contributions to this
fund in the future.
     "I deeply appreciate being named the Distinguished Professor of Soil
Science. This is a wonderful honor that I will always cherish," Sparks
said. "I am very proud of the growth and reputation of our soil science
program."
     Sparks earned both his bachelor's degree in agronomy and his master's
in soil science from the University of Kentucky, and he received his
doctorate in soil science in 1979 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
     He joined the University as an assistant professor of plant science in
1979, became an associate professor in 1983 and a full professor in 1987.
He served as assistant chairperson of the department from 1984-85 and was
named chairperson of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in 1989.
     Sparks said one area of his work that is especially meaningful is the
advising of graduate students. Two of his doctoral advisees have won the
Emil Truog Science Award given by the Soil Science Society of America for
outstanding dissertations; and others of his advisees have won national
fellowships from the Potassium Phosphorous Institute.
     The author or editor of 14 books and 24 chapters in books, Sparks is a
prolific writer who also has had articles published in more than 70
scholarly journals, and he is a sought-after lecturer at numerous symposia
across the United States and abroad. He currently serves on the editorial
boards of five publications.
     The recipient of more than $2 million in research grants and contracts
from a number of governmental, academic and industrial sources, Sparks
focuses his research on the kinetics and thermodynamics of soil chemistry
processes, surface chemistry of soils and soil components, physical
chemistry of soil potassium and, recently, on organic pollutant
interactions on clay minerals.
     The recipient of numerous awards and honors, he received the
University of Delaware Sigma Xi Distinguished Scientist Award in 1982. A
year later, he was cited by the International Potash Institute for his
outstanding research on soil potassium. In 1985, he was recipient of the
American Society of Agronomy's Visiting Scientist Award, and in 1986, he
received the Research Award from the Northeastern Branch of the American
Society of Agronomy.
     In 1987, Sparks was elected to chair the Soil Chemistry Division of
the Soil Science Society of America. In 1989, he was named a fellow of both
the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America,
the most prestigious honors given by both societies. In 1991, he received
the F.D. Chester Distinguished Performance Award from the College of
Agricultural Sciences and the M.L. and Chrystie M. Jackson Soil Science
Award from the Soil Science Society of America.
     Sparks has served as a consultant for the DuPont Co., U.S. Borax Co.,
Research Triangle Institute, Bikini Atoll Rehabilitation Committee and the
Department of Energy.
     He is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science
Society of America, Clay Minerals Society, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society and the honorary
societies Gamma Sigma Delta and Sigma Xi.
                                                  -Beth Thomas