UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 40, Page 1
August 29, 1996
Down-to-Earth prof. will receive 1996 Alison Award

     A funny thing happened on the way to veterinary school. Donald
Sparks took an undergraduate course in soil science at the University
of Kentucky and discovered his future career.
     "It was everything I was interested in-the application of
chemistry, physics and microbiology to a vital substance in our
environment, and I changed my major," he said.
     The decision obviously was the right one for Sparks,
Distinguished Professor of Soil Science, who chairs the Department of
Plant and Soil Sciences and has a joint appointment with the
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
     In recognition of his scholarship, professional achievements and
dedication, he is joining the select group of outstanding University
faculty who have received the prestigious Francis Alison Award. He
will receive the honor at New Student Convocation, at 11 a.m.,
Tuesday, Sept. 3, on the Mall. The Francis Alison Award consists of a
medal, designed by Anne Graham, art, and a $6,000 honorarium.
     During his career, Sparks has been recognized with many awards
for his research, but he said this award is one of the most meaningful
to him. "Being selected by one's peers for the Alison Award is a
wonderful honor and very satisfying," he said.
     Sparks earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University
of Kentucky and his doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University, joining the UD faculty in 1979. He has been at UD as
the department evolved from plant science to plant and soil sciences
and as the number of soil science faculty increased from one in the
1970s to seven currently. He has been instrumental in building the
soil science program into one that is nationally recognized.
     "Soil science has become increasingly important over the years as
environmental issues have emerged. There is concern about the effects
of pesticides, metals and organic chemicals on water and soil quality.
Research in the field has become a multidisciplinary effort, involving
not only soil science, but civil and environmental engineering,
chemistry and marine studies," he said.
     Sparks credits the University for providing a supportive
environment for teaching and research. "The emphasis on undergraduate
teaching is refreshing, and the opportunities and support for research
with modern, up-to-date equipment are exemplary. Because of this, the
University attracts excellent undergraduate and graduate students," he
said.
     One of the youngest recipients of the Soil Science Research Award
in 1994, Sparks also has received the University of Delaware Sigma Xi
Distinguished Scientist Award, a citation from the International
Potash Institute for his work on soil potassium and the American
Society of Agronomy's Visiting Scientist Award among others.
     In addition, he is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy
and the Soil Science Society of America, the highest honors given by
both societies, and he has served as chairperson of the soil chemistry
division of the latter organization. He is also vice chairperson of
the Soil Chemistry Commission of the International Society of Soil
Science.
     Sparks' research focuses on the kinetics of soil chemistry
processes, with particular emphasis on metal and organic chemical
interaction at the soil, mineral/water interface. State-of-the-art
surface spectroscopic and microscopic techniques are employed to
confirm the reaction mechanisms. In other words, he is interested in
the rate at which organic chemicals and heavy metals react with soils
and if and how to remediate contaminated soil.
     His research has attracted more than $2.5 million in grants and
contracts.
     The author or coauthor of more than 133 publications, including
20 edited books, 28 book chapters and 85 refereed papers, plus
numerous abstracts and articles. Sparks has written two textbooks,
Kinetics of Soil Chemical Processes and Environmental Soil Chemistry.
He has made numerous presentations and been an invitational speaker at
31 universities and institutes. He is the editor of Geoderma and
Advances in Agronomy and serves on several editorial boards.
     It comes as no surprise that when not engaged in soil science
research, Sparks-with his wife, Joy, state 4-H Program
coordinator-enjoys gardening.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure