Harvey D. Sprowl was born in Buffalo, New York on September 29, 1929. After graduating from Kensington High School in 1947, he attended the University of Buffalo where he earned a BA in biology (1955) and D.D.S. (1960). From 1960-1973, Sprowl held a number of part-time teaching positions in the School of Dentistry while maintaining a private practice. In 1973, he became a full-time associate professor of clinical dentistry at UB and in 1985, he was named Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1994.