MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Mayo, Bain, Brown (66th), Espy, Lamar, Mettetal, Moak, Reynolds
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. THOMAS J. "SPARKY" REARDON UPON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 36 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, after 36 years of positively impacting the lives of students, faculty, staff and administration, Dr. Thomas J. "Sparky" Reardon, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Mississippi, is retiring from his beloved Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reardon, who is a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, began his career on August 16, 1977, with Ole Miss and has served as coordinator of pre-admissions, assistant director of student activities, associate dean of students and for the last 14 years he has served as dean of students; and
WHEREAS, as a man who truly knows the importance of receiving an education, Dr. Reardon earned a bachelor of arts from Ole Miss in 1972, a master of education degree from Delta State University in 1976 and a doctorate of philosophy in education leadership from Ole Miss in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reardon is a member of a variety of organizations, some of which include the following: the National Association of Student Personnel Association, the Mississippi Association of College Student Affairs Professionals and the Association of Fraternity Advisors; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reardon has received a plethora of awards such as the Bob Schaeffer Award in which he was recognized in 1998 by his peers in the American college fraternity movement for his dedicated and long-time distinguished service to his profession, and, in 1995, he was selected by students of the university to receive the initial Thomas Frist Student Service Award, which was bestowed upon him due to his "going the extra mile" in unwavering dedication to students; and
WHEREAS, as a frequent speaker on college campuses, Dr. Reardon has spoken at over 100 colleges on issues ranging from leadership to hazing prevention to crisis management, which speaks volumes of the distinction and respect that he has when it comes to handling issues that college students face; and
WHEREAS, notably, Dr. Reardon co-chaired the committee that created the UM Creed, which exemplifies the forward thinking and innovative capabilities that this gifted and caring man has exhibited for the last 36 years during his tenure at Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reardon, a multi-talented individual has also taught a liberal arts course, the Chancellor's Leadership Class and an upper level course in the higher education graduate program, and he appeared on the History Channel in a documentary on the history of fraternities; and
WHEREAS, as an active Catholic, Dr. Reardon serves as a Lector at Mass at St. John's Catholic Church in Oxford, and he is involved in various church fundraisers and functions; and
WHEREAS, upon his well deserved retirement, Dr. Reardon, who is an avid reader and traveler, plans to serve the community even more through More Than a Meal and Habitat for Humanity, which speaks volumes of the selfless and caring spirit that he embodies as well as radiates; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reardon, who to many is as much a part of Ole Miss as the Grove or a classroom on campus and who embodies the Ole Miss mystique, has a legacy that will be known for making a positive difference; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to a great Mississippian such as Dr. Reardon whose legendary service will be known for generations to come as a selfless servant of Ole Miss who helped create the fabric of the lives of all students with whom he worked and who perpetuated a culture of individual relationships that truly demonstrated that he cared about people:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby congratulate Dr. Thomas J. "Sparky" Reardon upon the special occasion of his retirement, and wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Thomas J. Reardon, the University of Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.