Thursday, August 26, 1999
NKU, Sparks honor each other
Former regent donates $250,000
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Former Northern Kentucky University Regent Alice Sparks is donating $250,000 to the school for a scholarship fund to attract students with academic and leadership potential.
Through Kentucky's “Bucks for Brains” program, created by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1997, Mrs. Sparks' gift will be matched 100 percent by the state.
“Instead of just tuition, we can offer (potential students) tuition, room and board, and fees,” Mrs. Sparks said. “I'm on the Governors' Scholars Board, and we have long wrestled with losing some of our brighter students to out-of-state schools. When they go out of state, nine out of 10 of them don't come back home.”
NKU has received other gifts from Fifth Third Bank, Ashland Inc. and Huntington Bank through the state's matching program.
The D. Joseph Sparks Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund is named for Mrs. Sparks' late husband, who was president and chief executive officer of the Harper Co., a highway construction firm.
Mrs. Sparks announced her gift Wednesday at a reception in her honor on the NKU campus. She resigned from NKU's board of regents on July 1, after she was named to the University of Kentucky's board of trustees.
Dr. James Votruba, NKU president, praised Mrs. Sparks' service and dedication to the university during her seven years on the board of regents, including 21/2 years as chairwoman.
“During that period, we saw enormous growth in the institution,” thanks largely to Mrs. Sparks' efforts, Dr. Votruba said.
During his two years as NKU president, Dr. Votruba said, there was rarely a university event “where Alice wasn't present,” and she offered her support to a number of cultural and athletic endeavors. He said her lobbying efforts were key to NKU's obtaining state funding last year for a $38 million science building.
Mrs. Sparks, 64, is the president of SSK Co., which owns manufactured-home communities. She is a member of the NKU Foundation, the Friends of Fine Arts and the university's athletic board. A supporter of NKU's men's and women's athletic programs, she is a regular fixture in her midcourt seat at the school's basketball games.
“I know I'm going to love UK, but I'll miss NKU,” Mrs. Sparks said. “It's been a fun ride for seven years.”
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