. Frank (BSA ’51, MS ’62) and Janet McGill of Tifton believe in sharing with others. They have supported causes locally and globally, including the J. Frank McGill Scholarship in the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, initiated in Frank’s honor by members of the peanut industry.

With four grown children and 14 grandchildren, the McGills have begun the thoughtful process of engaging their family in their charitable giving. They are asking their children to play a major role in deciding where future gifts, over and above their church tithes, will be made. Instead of all four children helping divide the McGills’ special giving, they are allowing each child to direct one year’s gifts.

“This way, all four children can research where they want us to direct a major gift based upon those institutions that have had a major impact on their lives,” Frank explained. “They know their year is coming and can plan as thoughtful givers should.”

The McGills began with their youngest child, Kelly McGill Dean (BSHE ’89, MS ’91).

“It was clear to us that Kelly wouldn’t need much time to decide. She is as big a Bulldog as I am!” Frank said.

As an active FACS alumnus, Kelly is currently a member of the Campaign Steering Committee, gives leadership to UGA Designing Dawgs, and is a representative of FACS on the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors. Kelly and her husband Stanley (BBS ’85, MACC ’86) are FACS Presidents Club members and can be spotted tailgating behind Dawson Hall during home football games.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled Stanley and I were with the honor of creating the Kelly and Stanley Dean International Study Abroad fund in FACS,” Kelly said.

“We always thought we’d create an endowment when we had more resources, but to have this opportunity now, made possible by my parents, is even more special! We can’t wait to meet the first award recipient!”

The McGills told Kelly and Stanley about their intentions Nov. 11, 2003, the day their son Mitchell was born.

“We thought the significance of giving to future generations was magnified on this special day,” Janet said. “We fully expect our family’s values to continue to live through Mitchell and our other grandchildren.”

Charlie Collier, senior philanthropic adviser at Harvard and author of Wealth in Families , defines family wealth as having four dimensions: human, intellectual, social and financial. He encourages families to look beyond financial wealth and to nurture the human, intellectual and social capital of each family member.

Kelly and Stanley Dean

“Family philanthropy has the potential to provide a safe environment in which children and grandchildren can learn the skills necessary to lead fulfilling lives and steward inherited wealth responsibly,” according to Collier. “Moreover, family philanthropy sends a message to children and grandchildren about the importance of the values of personal and financial generosity—that we as a family believe there is something important to do beyond ourselves.”

Family philanthropy is abundant in the McGill family. Frank and Janet reflected that their parents taught them to “leave the woodpile a little higher than we found it.”

The College thanks them for this multi-generational gift