Best Seller Nicholas Sparks to Speak at Mother's Day Luncheon

Renowned American novelist, screenwriter, and film producer Nicholas Sparks will return to Florida Southern.

Sparks will give the keynote address as the College hosts its 8th Annual Mother's Day Luncheon in support of The Roberts Academy on Wednesday, May 10.

One of the world’s most beloved storytellers, Sparks has written twenty-three New York Times bestsellers. Eleven of his books have been adapted for television or film.

The luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the George W. Jenkins Field House. Tickets for the event must be purchased before May 1. Register online or contact the Office of Advancement at 863-680-3000.

The event is expected to sell out, and no tickets will be available the day of the event.

All proceeds from the Mother's Day Luncheon will benefit the Roberts Academy Scholarship Fund.

In October 1996, Warner Books published The Notebook, for which they famously paid its then-unknown author $1 million advance. Since then, he has sold more than 105 million copies of his books worldwide, and his works have been translated into more than 50 different languages.

Born in Omaha, Neb., Sparks graduated as valedictorian of his California high school in 1984, and received a full track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. His freshman year, he broke the Notre Dame school record as part of a relay team, but he was injured soon after. During his recovery, he wrote his first novel, though it was never published. He majored in Business Finance and graduated with high honors in 1988.

In 2016, Sparks was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Florida Southern, as he was invested as the 82nd Honorary Chancellor in school history.