Gilchrist B. Berg establishes the endowed Randall C. Berg, Jr., College of Law Deanship at Jacksonville University Law
Randall Berg III (son of Randall C. Berg, Jr., and Carol Berg), Gilchrist Berg, Carol Berg (widow of Randall C. Berg, Jr.), President Tim Cost, and the Randall C. Berg, Jr., College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard pose with a ceremonial gavel following the establishment of the endowed deanship position at the River Club in Downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville University College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard will be the first Randall C. Berg, Jr., College of Law Dean, an endowed position made possible through Gilchrist B. Berg’s substantial gift in honor of Gilchrist’s brother, the late Randall C. Berg Jr.
Randall Berg, Jr., was the executive director of the Florida Justice Institute known for championing causes throughout Florida, focusing his work on the underserved. The Berg Deanship will provide funding for faculty and student research, symposia, scholarships, and other academic initiatives within the College of Law. Berg Jr. passed away in April 2019.
“We believe this community deserves a world-class law school, and the best way to build a great law school for the whole city is to attract a great leader,” said Jacksonville University President Tim Cost. “The fortitude Gilchrist has shown to invest in the future of legal education here is extraordinary, and we are privileged to have the Berg name associated with Jacksonville University. To honor someone like Randall, who embodied enduring core values, makes this all the more significant. We thank the Berg family for their support of the crucial task of providing high quality legal education in our city.”
Berg Jr. founded the Florida Justice Institute in 1978, a public interest law firm working to improve Florida prison conditions and policies. He brought widespread change to the prison system for people with disabilities and those in need of medical and mental health care. He also worked tirelessly to combat the abusive treatment of prisoners and defend their civil rights.
Berg Jr. spearheaded the United States’ first IOTA program in Florida, and guided its implementation throughout all 50 states. The program, which has generated approximately $4 billion nationwide, prioritized funding legal services for the poor. He represented victims of housing discrimination and helped ensure a sound electoral process through various voting and election-related cases.
