Book Signing for Sparky Reardon's The Dean at GDBS

The Garden District Book Shop is thrilled to announce that former dean of students of Ole Miss, Sparky Reardon, will be at the shop on August 25 to celebrate the release of his first book The Dean: Memoirs and Missives. 

Reardon — who dedicated 36 years to his alma mater — was a witness to the best, and worst, of times at Ole Miss. Reardon engaged with every facet of campus life, navigating the wild and unpredictable situations sparked by students (and, at times, by visitors). 

Reardon found himself in the midst of campus crises where he facilitated the university family through tragedy and loss (some involved student casualties); he navigated intricate battles for freedom of expression on campus (including confrontations with the Ku Klux Klan and loony street preachers); he gently guided students (and sometimes administrators and politicians) through complex judicial issues; and he had a rare, insider’s view of the evolution of Oxford, Mississippi, from a quiet college town to a vibrant cultural hub. 

In The Dean, Reardon lays bare the joys and hardships of what he describes as “the best job in America.”

The evening will kick off at 6:00 PM. Reardon will read a selection from his book and then open up the floor for a Q&A. He will then be available to mingle with guests and personalize copies of his book. The event is free and open to the public but guests are encouraged to RSVP and reserve their copy of The Dean ahead of time. Bar Epilogue will also be open for guests to enjoy beverages and snacks during the signing. 

Sparky Reardon

Sparky Reardon, a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, left home in 1968 for college at Ole Miss with intentions of becoming a lawyer.  Soon after his arrival on campus he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in higher education with his eye on becoming the dean of students.  After graduation he returned home to teach four years of high school.  Upon his return to the university, he held a variety of positions in student activities, student programming, and student services before becoming associate dean of students.  In 2000, he became the dean of students. 

During his time as dean of students, Reardon found himself in the midst of campus crises where he facilitated the university family through tragedy and loss (some involved student casualties); he navigated intricate battles for freedom of expression on campus (including confrontations with the Ku Klux Klan and loony street preachers); he gently guided students (and sometimes administrators and politicians) through complex judicial issues; and he had a rare, insider’s view of the evolution of Oxford, Mississippi, from a quiet college town to a vibrant cultural hub. He was instrumental in the development and adoption of the Ole Miss Creed. 

Sparky was awarded the initial Thomas Frist Award for outstanding service to students in 1998 and had a scholarship established in his name by the Class of 2008.  He was featured in Frat Boys: The History of Fraternities on the History Channel.  In 1998, the Association of Fraternity Advisors awarded him the Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award given to an individual in the field of higher education who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to fraternities and sororities.  In addition, he received the Interfraternal Accolade Award from Kappa Alpha Order, the Ralph “Dud” Daniels Award from Phi Kappa Psi, and the Legion of Merit from his own fraternity Phi Delta Theta.  Sparky spoke to thousands of college students at over a hundred campuses and numerous national conferences. 

After his retirement in 2014, Reardon was inducted into the Ole Miss Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2016.  He frequently speaks to classes on campus, spends time writing, and serves his local Catholic church, St. John the Evangelist.  Sparky now resides in Plein Air in Taylor, Mississippi, enjoys his porch, a good cigar, a sip of scotch and the occasional poker game. 

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