Giving in wills

GIVE FOR THE GREATEST GOOD

Dr Jill Pellew is the daughter of UEA’s founding Vice-Chancellor, the late Professor Frank Thistlethwaite, CBE. She explains why she has decided to give to the University in her will.

My father was extremely proud of the University, from its founding until his death,” explains Jill. “He felt part of an important, exciting period in the history of British universities when the new campus institutions of the early 1960s were founded on new, sometimes radical, principles of learning. Many of them, and certainly UEA, have since become national leaders.” The Frank Thistlethwaite Music Award at UEA was the legacy of Frank and his wife, both of whom believed in the enriching effect of studying in an institution that provided cultural opportunities and experiences beyond a specific field of study. Jill – an academic historian and former senior university fundraiser – shares her thoughts on leaving a gift in her will.

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

“I’d like to reinforce an institution that my father cared so much about and that I myself greatly admire. While not my own university, it has vicariously been part of my life for more than 50 years and I always enjoy visiting the campus.”

MAKE A LASTING CHANGE

“I have huge confidence in the UEA Development Office, who have the experience, integrity and imagination to use a bequest well. I am not a wealthy person, but a gift of this kind is one of the biggest ways I can ‘make a difference’. Beyond family commitments, I will be giving to lasting institutions that have mattered to me.”

EXPLAIN YOUR WISHES

“It is always helpful to make your intentions known and discuss what might be of most benefit to the institution, while also respecting your own wishes.”

A PERSONAL DECISION

“Between the many institutions that have mattered to me in my life, I find it difficult to decide where to leave, and how to direct, a bequest. It often helps the organisation most to leave it up to the Development Office to direct a gift as they (and therefore the institution) think best at the time. “I may make mine a general gift or perhaps enhance the endowment of the Frank Thistlethwaite Music Award. The main thing is to keep in touch with what is happening at your institution.”

Above: Professor Frank Thistlethwaite, UEA’s founding ViceChancellor, welcomes HM The Queen to UEA in 1968.

Below: The ‘topping out’ of the Library building, also in 1968.