Mary Ruth Sparks

Background

Sparks, Mary Ruth was born on October 24, 1942 in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Daughter of Mearle Jones and Stella Irene (Martin) Luna.

Education

Bachelor of Science, S.W. Missouri State University, 1966; Master of Science, Iowa State University, 1974; Doctor of Philosophy, Kansas State University, 1977.

Career

Reporter, Ozark County Times, Gainesville, Missouri, 1956-1959; teacher, Lockwood (Missouri) High School, 1966-1968; teacher, Warsaw (Missouri) High School, 1971-1973; publications editor, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 1974-1975; professor journalism, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 1976-1979; public relations director, Kansas State University, Manhattan, 1981-1983; department head, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, 1979-1981; professor, Texas Woman's U., Denton, since 1983; department head, Texas Woman's U., Denton, 1984-1993.

Achievements

• Mary Ruth Sparks has been listed as a noteworthy Journalism educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Association Schools of Journalism and Mass Comm. (president 1991-1992), S.W. Education Council for Journalism and Mass Comm. (president 1989-1990), Rotary Club.

Connections

Married Richard Allen Kahl, July 1, 1961 (divorced January 1976). Children: Janet Kay Kahl Willhaus, John Martin Kahl. Married Michael Lynn Sparks, June 10, 1976.

Father:

Mearle Jones Luna

Mother:

Stella Irene (Martin) Luna

Spouse:

Richard Allen Kahl

Spouse:

Michael Lynn Sparks

child:

Janet Kay Kahl Willhaus Sparks

child:

John Martin Kahl Sparks