.178 Jason Sparks

I spent my first year of college in the business school, and if that year was like floating into open water then Jason was my life raft. A student experience advisor and the lecturer for my very first business course, Jason saw me for me and gave me nothing but honesty, true care and compassion. I felt very lost and out of place that year, and he allowed me the space and time to grow and gifted me the encouragement to change.

Jason was such a wonderful lecturer and I remember constantly looking forward to his class, if only just to feel connected to something or someone that understood my struggles and goals. He would always give me the truth and he would listen with intent and with no other reason than to help and support. He was patient, oh so patient, with me as I would come into his office nearly every week with a different idea for a major I was going to create or project I wanted to start. On top of all of this, Jason was a role model to me in that he was an openly gay man in a university position, living his true self. It was inspiring and important to see that and it still is, for me and so many others who I’m sure were watching as well.

Jason, thank you for playing such a crucial role in my life and for being so kind and supportive during a truly developmental time. Thank you for being a mentor, a professor, a guide, and a friend. Thank you for being a multifaceted human who shows such empathy and compassion each day. Thank you for your kind words to me both today and all those years ago. Thank you for being you.

-BD