Professor Emeritus Frederick W. Sperr was born in Jefferson, Ohio in 1856 where he received his elementary education. He attended Ohio State University where he received an Engineer of Mines degree in 1883. After receiving his degree, he was engaged as a mining engineer and mine operator in Colorado, Arizona, and Mexico. In 1888, Sperr became an assistant professor of mining engineering at his alma mater before coming to the Michigan Mining School (now Michigan Technological University) in Houghton, Michigan, in 1894 to take charge of the work in ore dressing and mining engineering as head of the mining and civil engineering department, a post he held for thirty-two years. Professor Sperr is noted as having conducted more students underground to obtain practical knowledge of mining methods than any other instructor engaged in mining work. In addition to his educational work, Sperr was involved in affairs relating to the mining industry and was active in mining societies and fraternities. Frederick Sperr passed away in 1929 after a short illness; however, he was remembered and honored by the College when they named the mining building Sperr Hall.