Ruth Morrison
As you read this, we will have successfully closed our 100 Legacies in the Making campaign. During the past two years, it has been invigorating, yet humbling, to see the scores of people who are dedicated to leaving a gift to FACS through their estates. Our Legacies range from ages 25 to 96. They are men and women of all races, and they all have a common desire: Seeing FACS continue to thrive and positively impact the lives of Georgians and others beyond our state lines. Because people can typically make a larger gift through their estates than during their lifetimes, we are now in a position to transform our college with this new level of private giving.
Unfortunately, during the course of this campaign, two of our planned gifts were realized. Ruth Rowan Morrison (BSHE ’44) and Elise Bruce Bray Richey (BSHE ’38) passed away, leaving significant portions of their estates to FACS.
“Brucie” Richey
“Brucie,” as Mrs. Richey was affectionately known, was a home economics teacher in South Georgia as well as a home management house director at the University of Georgia. She also owned the Rochelle Telephone Co. in Rochelle, Ga., operating the switchboard in her home at night while grading papers. Upon retirement, Brucie returned to Rochelle, where she was active in all aspects of community life and enjoyed farming until age 87. The picture you see of her is how most remember her—driving her truck with her Irish Setter, Rowlett, riding on top.
Ruth Morrison came to UGA from Tifton. As an undergraduate, Ruth fell ill with peritonitis following an appendectomy. After narrowly escaping death, Ruth was told by doctors she might never walk again. She never forgot the overwhelming concern and kindness exhibited to her by professors and fellow students during her lengthy convalescence. This illness was instrumental in Ruth’s decision to dedicate her life to public health, with an emphasis in nutrition.
Although neither Mrs. Richey nor Mrs. Morrison had children of their own, they dedicated their lives to educating young people. Because of their foresight and love for our college, collectively their gifts have transformed FACS. The new Elise Bray Richey Fund will create a sizeable scholarship endowment for an undergraduate student, while the Ruth Rowan Morrison Fund, earmarked for graduate education, is the most significant single gift in the Department of Foods and Nutrition.
“Because of these women, we will attract higher caliber students and be able to reward their outstanding academic work,” FACS Dean Laura Jolly said of Mrs. Richey and Mrs. Morrison. “There are no words to reflect how important these two gifts are to our college.”
Thanks Brucie … thanks Ruth … for being two of our 100 FACS Legacies in the Making!
| Katrina L. Bowers is Director of Development for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. For more information on how to give a current or deferred gift, please contact Katrina at (706) 542-4946, by email at kbowers@fcs.uga.edu, or write to her at FACS, 224 Dawson Hall, UGA, Athens, GA 30602. |  |