Born in Oxford (PA) in 1939, Horatio Viscount “Berky” Nelson, was a 1957 graduate of Oxford High School. Berky excelled at Oxford as both a student and an athlete. Nelson was outstanding for Oxford in Track and Field in the Southern Chester County League-where he won numerous hurdle and broad jump awards.

In PIAA competition in 1956, Berky won the 180-yard Hurdles and the Broad Jump. In his senior year in 1957, Nelson placed second in the state meet in the 180-Yard Hurdles and claimed the Broad Jump title for the second consecutive year.

While matriculating at West Chester State College, Berky not only continued to perform well as a sprinter and hurdler for the track team, but was also very accomplished as a trumpet player. He qualified for the US Olympic Team in 1961 in the 400-Meter Hurdles.

Nelson received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961 from West Chester, and, both his Master of Science Degree in 1962 and PhD in 1969 were earned from the University of Pennsylvania. Berky then taught at Oxford and Abington High Schools.

Berky was a Distinguished Alumnus inductee, a Presidential Award Winner and a dedicated member of the West Chester University Foundation Board of Directors.

He was a professor for 40-plus years on the campuses of UCLA and Dartmouth College. While at UCLA, Nelson was a Professor of Afro-American Studies and a former Director of Student Activities.

Berky was an accomplished scholar, mentor and role model for multiple generations of college students. A distinguished writer, he authored many books on African-American history.

Nelson is a member of the Oxford High School Hall of Fame and MAC Track Hall of Fame. He passed away October 5, 2015.