VLS Receives $1.25M Gift from Goldberg Family
The family of the late Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 J.D., who served as a member of the Villanova School of Law Board of Consultors, has bequeathed a $1.25 million gift to the Law School through the Arthur M. Goldberg and Veronica Goldberg Foundation to name the Commons—the largest community space within the Law School’s building—in his honor. The gift will largely be used to provide financial assistance to talented students who may otherwise be unable to afford a Villanova legal education.
Arthur, an internationally renowned businessman, attributed the education he received at the Villanova School of Law and the high legal, ethical and moral standards instilled by its Founding Dean Harold Gill Reuschlein as keys to his personal success. As a result, he and his family have forged a generous philanthropic relationship with Villanova that spans more than three decades.
“In attempting to honor his appreciation and dedication to this wonderful institution, it gives our family and the Foundation great pride in naming the Villanova Law School Commons for Arthur,” said his wife Veronica Goldberg. Veronica is joined in her support of the Law School by their daughters Hon. Wendy L. (Goldberg) Pew ’92 J.D., Jody B. (Goldberg) Seibert ’96 J.D., Kerry M. (Goldberg) Sherif and son Michael S. Goldberg.
“This generous gift from the Goldberg family plays a critical role in enhancing our ability to attract and enroll the most talented and accomplished students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds,” said John Y. Gotanda, dean of Villanova Law School. “We are extremely grateful and honored to name our Commons for Arthur, who served his alma mater as one of its greatest counselors and benefactors.”
Arthur was the first in his family to attend college and later complete a law degree. At the time of his passing in 2000, Arthur was president and CEO of Park Place Entertainment—the world’s largest gaming company, now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Throughout his career, he held executive positions with various companies, served on a number of corporate and university boards, and fulfilled numerous philanthropic endeavors. He also served as an advisor to the White House on business and economic matters during the first term of the Clinton administration.
“Arthur always attributed his success to the foundation that was developed while attending Villanova Law School,” said Veronica. “As our gift largely will be dedicated for scholarship, we recognize that the same opportunities that were presented to Arthur will now be available for many more students to pave the way to their success.”
Arthur’s philanthropy was primarily dedicated to Villanova throughout his career. He established the Albert W. Goldberg Scholarship in memory of his father, played a leadership role in helping to endow the Harold Gill Resuchlein Chair, and joined Arthur J. Kania ’56 J.D. to endow the Marcella C. Reuschlein Scholarship, named for Dean Reuschlein’s wife. Arthur’s family later endowed a faculty chair in his name at the Law School, in addition to naming a 90-seat classroom within the Law School’s new building in his honor. Collectively, the Goldberg Family’s philanthropic commitments to Villanova Law School exceed $4 million.
Their most recent gift to name the Law School Commons in memory of Arthur will serve as a reminder to all visitors that members of the Villanova Law community realize the value of investing in Villanova, our faculty and our students who, in turn, will graduate prepared to make a positive impact on society and become leaders—just as Arthur did—in their respective fields.
