[Update: Jan. 7, 2016]
A tribute to "Berky" Nelson will take place at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday, Jan. 19, with a reception at 3 p.m., and the program at 4 p.m. 


H. Viscount “Berky” Nelson — a mentor, mediator and role model for generations of students during his four-decade career at UCLA — died Oct. 5 in Los Angeles at the age of 76 after a lengthy illness.

Nelson’s pervasive impact on the campus, particularly as an inspirational adviser to students, cannot be adequately defined by any job title or description, according to UCLA officials. He began his career at UCLA in the late 1960s as director of campus programs and activities during a turbulent period for campuses nationwide.

Through the years, Nelson could be seen at many student protests, a calming presence at students’ side. “He was always on the frontlines settling disputes, whether this involved mediating an argument along Bruin Walk or standing his ground in front of a crowd of dissenters threatening to burn down the Men’s Gym, where ROTC was housed,” said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Janina Montero in a letter informing her staff of Nelson’s death. “No matter what the context, his first concern was always about teaching and learning, getting students to think with integrity and rigor about why they were doing what they were doing.”

Throughout his long career at UCLA, Nelson, who was the director of the Center for Student Programming for many years, was the trusted adviser that student leaders, including a long succession of student government leaders, turned to for guidance.   

"The roster of UCLA graduates with exceptional careers who trace their intellectual and developmental lineage back to Berky is a veritable ‘Who’s Who,’” Montero said. “Student involvement and learning beyond the classroom was an educational imperative for Berky, and under his leadership, the number of student organizations advised by the Center for Student Programming (now Student Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement) grew to over 1,000.”

For generations of UCLA student athletes, Nelson also took on the role of adviser and confidante. Easing their transition to student life, he helped pave their way to success, both on the field and in the classroom, Montero said. Staff members also relied on his mentorship and leadership.

A scholar of American history, Nelson taught classes for the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African-American Studies and the Interdepartmental Program in Afro-American Studies. He was also the author of several books on African-American history and leadership.

He retired from UCLA in 2014 as director of fraternity and sorority relations. His wife, Joan, who was an associate dean of students and worked at UCLA for 30 years, died Oct. 9, 2010.     

Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford, Pennsylvania. A UCLA gathering to honor his life and memory is being planned. Details will be announced later.