Joseph R. Gladden Jr.—who died on March 15, 2022, at age 79—was a loyal supporter of the Miller Center's work, having served on both the Center's Governing Council and Foundation Board. He retired from board service in 2019, but continued to be a regular attendee of our public programming. He and his wife, Sally, also supported a number of important undertakings at the Miller Center, including a major gift to upgrade and expand our A/V technology.

Gladden was born on October 5, 1942, in Atlanta and grew up in West Point, Georgia. He returned to Atlanta to attend Emory University, where he received his bachelor's degree and met his future wife, Sally—then a student at Agnes Scott College. After marrying, they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Gladden attended the University of Virginia School of Law and served as managing editor of the Virginia Law Review. 

He began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge John Godbold, who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, in Montgomery, Alabama. Gladden returned to Atlanta to work for the law firm of King & Spalding, where he became a partner. In 1985, after 17 years at King & Spalding, he joined the Coca-Cola Company and retired as executive vice president and general counsel in 2001. 

Gladden was recognized by many organizations over his professional and civic life for his contributions and accomplishments

In retirement, Gladden was an active philanthropist. In addition to his work with UVA's Miller Center, he was chairman of the board of directors for Agnes Scott College, Wesley Woods, Inc., and the Atlanta Ballet. He also served on the boards of the Lovett School, Emory Healthcare, West Point Stevens, Inc., and the Academic Search Consultation Service in Washington, D.C. He was a board member of the University of Virginia Health System, and served as co-chair of the Monticello Cabinet with his wife, Sally. Gladden was recognized by many organizations over his professional and civic life for his contributions and accomplishments, including the Emory Medal in 2001.

Eventually, the Gladdens returned to Charlottesville, where they restored and operated a 200-year-old historic horse farm, Bellevue. During that time, Joe also taught at the University of Virginia School of Law’s Law and Business program for nearly a decade.