Dr. Harry M. Sparks was a native of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He became the fifth president of the university on January 6, 1968, and served until September 15, 1973. Prior to assuming the office of the President, Sparks served a 4-year term as superintendent of public instruction for the Commonwealth of Kentucky during the administration of Governor Edward T. Breathitt, 1964-1968. He graduated cum laude from Transylvania University in 1930 and began his 43-year career in education in Breckinridge County. Sparks was a teacher, basketball coach, and principal at Irvington until 1941, when he became principal at Russell High School in Greenup County.

During World War II, Sparks served in the Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant commander. After the war, he returned to the University of Kentucky and earned his Ed.D. in 1947. That same year, Sparks was named principal of Mayfield High School and went on to join the Murray State faculty in 1948. He was named head of the Kentucky Department of Education in 1952. Sparks was a dedicated and active leader of several educational activities. He served as president of the Kentucky Education Association and as a member of the planning committee of the Kentucky Educational Television (KET) network.

In recognition of his accomplishments and his extensive service, Murray State’s Board of Regents established the Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series.