Makers of Fort Worth Page: 95

Dr. W. B. Parks
0 WRITE a fitting and
creditable story of the
career of Wm. B.
Parks, A. M., Ph. D.,
would be almost like
__ writing a history of
Texas Christian University, so l'
closely are the two linked together. ~ I
Dr. Parks has been identified with
this great school almost from the
time he went forth as a graduate a
from its predecessor, Add-Ran, in
1886. Its ups have been his ups;
its downs, his downs. Few men
ever have been connected with the
school who have devoted as much
of their life and energies to it as
has Dr. Parks, and now that the
school is taking its just place among
the colleges of the Southwest, those
who have watched it from its earliest
days can see no small part of its A
success is due to Dr. Parks. At i XI
Add-Ran University in 1886, Dr.
Parks was graduated with the
degree of B. S. In 1892 he received
his A. M. degree, and in 1894 his
Ph. D. The following years he did
work at Vanderbilt, Harvard, University
of Virginia and Chicago University,
and returning again became
identified with his alma mater, taking
the chair of natural science. This
chair he held for fourteen years,
leaving in 1900 for work in Eastern
colleges, returning again in 1904 to
accept the chair of chemistry with
the now Texas Christian University.
From his earliest year with the
college Dr. Parks has been loved
and respected by the student body. //si"/m tr 0iYO
"Marse Ben" is their favorite, and
his selection in 1910 by the board
of trustees to fill the office of dean
was hailed with delight. In the
handling of all out-of-class matters, I f
the strong character of Dean Parks
has always manifested itself; in him
the faculty has one of its strongest
members and the student always a
true friend and wise counsellor.