Gift supports need-based financial assistance for high-achieving students

The Commons, the largest community space within the Law School’s building, named in honor of the late Arthur M. Goldberg ‘66

Villanova, Pa.—The family of the late Arthur M. Goldberg VSL ’66 J.D. has made a $1.25 million gift to the Villanova University School of Law (VSL) through the Arthur M. Goldberg and Veronica Goldberg Foundation. In recognition of the gift, which will be used to provide need-based financial assistance to high-achieving students, the Commons—the largest community space within the Law School’s building—has been named in Goldberg’s honor.

“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 Art, who served his alma mater as one of its greatest counselors and benefactors.”

Goldberg, an internationally renowned businessman who served as a member of the Villanova University School of Law Board of Consultors, attributed the education he received at VSL 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 the School that spans more than three decades. Collectively, the Goldberg Family’s philanthropic commitments to Villanova University School of Law exceed $4 million. 

“In attempting to honor his dedication to this wonderful institution, it gives our family and the Foundation great pride to name the Villanova Law School Commons for Arthur,” said his wife Veronica Goldberg, who 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. “Arthur always attributed his success to the foundation that was developed while attending Villanova Law School,” she remarked. “As our gift largely will be dedicated for scholarships, 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.”

Goldberg was the first in his family to attend college and later complete a law degree. At the time of his death in 2000, he was president and CEO of Park Place Entertainment—the world’s largest gaming company, now known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Throughout his career, Goldberg 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.

Goldberg’s philanthropy was primarily dedicated to Villanova University School of Law 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 Reuschlein Chair, and joined Arthur J. Kania ’56 J.D. to endow the Marcella C. Reuschlein Scholarship, named for Dean Reuschlein’s wife. The Goldberg 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.

Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. The Villanova University School of Law provides broad-based legal education and its award-winning clinics and Lawyering Together Program provide free legal aid to those in need. The School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools. Notable alumni include:  Hon. Edward Rendell (Former Governor, Pa.), Hon. Marjorie Rendell (Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit), Richard Trumka (President, AFL-CIO), Joseph T. Sebastianelli (President and CEO, Thomas Jefferson Health Systems), Jeffrey S. Moorad (CEO, San Diego Padres) and Michael Holston (Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Hewlett-Packard Company).