Roger Sterling, as portrayed by John Slattery in the former TV series Mad Men, was sharp, smooth, and rocked a well manicured head of white hair. By the way, have any of you met Professor Gary Edgerton? 

Sharp. Check. Smooth. Check. The silver mane. Absolutely (I mean, check out the above photo)!

Gary didn’t star in Mad Men, but has played a leading role in CCOM since 2012 AND he has authored two books about the award winning AMC period drama, featuring the one-liner wonders of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) about advertising on Madison Avenue. But that is just skimming the surface as I quickly share some highlights upon his recent understated retirement from Butler and CCOM.

He arrived at Butler as Dean in 2012 from Old Dominion University, where he was Eminent Scholar, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Theater Arts. His record of accomplishment at that point was tremendous, and set him up well to help establish the then-newly-formed College of Communication find its footing. He served for five years, not only continuing his scholarly achievements, but also helping to nurture and expand the impact of CCOM. From the behind the scenes work of setting up bylaws, procedures and processes in the college for faculty and students, to securing funding for upgraded student and faculty spaces in the building, Gary set CCOM on the path to distinction. Honestly, you can’t walk around Fairbanks and not see the results of the efforts he put in to set up a brand new college.

Following his deanship, Gary returned to the faculty in the Pulliam School of Journalism and Creative Media, teaching the theory and business side of entertainment and creative media. He also remained engaged in the college and university, often serving on committees that helped provide feedback to faculty on their development, and continued his scholarly output.  

Gary’s scholarly contributions are nothing short of epic.  He has written twelve books on shows from The Sopranos to Ken Burns’ America (with two more books in progress), thirty peer-reviewed articles, twenty-six book chapters, thirty online articles, twenty-two encyclopedia entries, and an astounding 100+ book reviews. Being a professor is sometimes referred to as commitment to “the life of the mind,” and in Gary’s case his commitment has expanded our understanding of media, television and culture in numerous ways through his work. Read more about his work and start your very own library today at the Gary Edgerton Amazon author page.

It’s not advertising in the 1960s, but being a prolific researcher and also a dean who established a new college at Butler might also deserve the moniker “Mad Man.” Don Draper on advertising said to “make it simple, but significant.” Gary’s work has been that of a simple teacher, but with significance beyond measure for his students, fellow scholars, and CCOM. We wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter as he retires from Butler, and rides off into the sunset like a character from the shows and movies he has so deeply studied, invested in, and shared about as the leader he is.