This endowed distinguished chair was made possible through the generosity of Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Councilors, department chairs, and faculty and by many professional colleagues and friends as a tribute to Dr. W. Keats Sparrow for his long and distinguished tenure as dean of Harriot College, 1990 - 2005. On the occasion of Dr. Sparrow's retirement from the deanship in 2005, sponsors created an endowment in excess of $100,000 whose annual yield is used to support the distinguished chair.

Sponsors intend for the Sparrow Distinguished Chair to commemorate Dean Sparrow's vigorous advocacy for and strengthening of liberal arts education throughout his deanship and to help reiterate and perpetuate Harriot College's mission as East Carolina University's liberal arts college. Through its liberal arts mission, Harriot College of Arts and Sciences represents East Carolina University's cornerstone academic program.

All Harriot College Deans following Dr. Sparrow occupy the W. Keats Sparrow Distinguished Chair in the Liberal Arts concurrent with their deanships. Their dual titles are: