Jax State Dedicates Legal Office Suite in Honor of Samuel Monk
04/08/2025
Jacksonville State University held a ceremony on Monday afternoon to dedicate the university’s Legal Office Suite in honor of longtime legal counsel and devoted Gamecock, Samuel Monk.
Colleagues, friends, and university leadership gathered to celebrate Monk’s decades of service and lasting contributions to the university. Hosted in front of the newly named suite in Angle Hall, the ceremony featured remarks from Chief University Counsel Emily Davey, Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., Board of Trustees Chairman Randy Jones, and Monk himself.
Davey opened the ceremony by expressing her personal gratitude for Monk’s ongoing support of her and University Counsel and Title IX Coordinator Gloria Floyd. “It took two lawyers to replace the good work that Sam did,” she said. “Thank you, Sam, from the bottom of my heart for helping me, counseling me, always being available to me.”
Jones praised Monk as the university’s bedrock during challenging times. “He was our source, he was our inspiration,” Jones said. “We can literally point the finger and say this would not be happening if it weren’t for Sam Monk.”
Monk, a Jax State alumnus, first came to campus as a student before finding purpose in the ROTC program and the mentorship of leaders like then dean and eventual President Theron Montgomery. His story of academic transformation, military service, and return to Jax State as an adjunct professor and then legal counsel reflected the university’s values of growth, resilience, and giving back.
Killingsworth, who worked closely with Monk through numerous transitions at the university, shared his admiration for Monk’s deep institutional knowledge and wisdom. “Sam would walk around these halls, every office, every day,” he said. “His success was ultimately the university’s success.”
The event also drew several community leaders, including judges and public officials, as well as many university faculty and staff. Dr. Killingsworth emphasized the significance of their attendance: “It is a testament to Sam. His legal knowledge is far better than anybody I’ve ever known,” he added. “This is a happy time and I cannot think of a better testament and a legacy for you than to have the legal suite named in your honor.”
In his remarks, Monk expressed heartfelt appreciation to his mentors and colleagues, reflecting on his early days at Jax State as a student “without direction,” and the pivotal role Jax State played in his life. “I love JSU, always have,” he said. “Working in that role was an absolute pleasure… It was a personal honor, professional honor, and it was a pleasure.”
Monk concluded by praising the university’s current leadership. “Coming back, seeing the changes, seeing the camaraderie within the administration, the true meaning of shared governance… has told me that this institution is very healthy, and I think the future is very bright.”