A Lifetime of Caring and Giving

Reflecting on her fulfilling and varied career as a social worker, Gail Hart was most deeply affected by her work in elementary schools. "Young children are so trusting and so vulnerable," she notes. "You feel a very special desire to protect them."

Given that Gail and her older brother both devoted their lives to social work, this natural instinct of caring protectiveness was likely intensified as they gained insights into their mother's work as a school attendance officer. In a school setting, they realized it's impossible to ignore issues going on at home and in the community.

A native of Boonville, Indiana, Gail's relationship with the University of Louisville began when she and her late husband moved to Louisville for his job with UPS. Gail immediately applied to the master's degree program at UofL's Kent School of Social Work. Soon after, she learned that she had been selected as UofL's recipient of a federal grant, which fully covered her tuition and provided a stipend—a wonderful and deeply appreciated gift!

"Attending the Kent School was probably the most important thing that ever happened to me," Gail states. "The Kent School faculty were nurturing, instructive and encouraging, and the skills and confidence I gained enabled me to work in any area and to do better what I was already doing." In this regard, Gail gives special recognition to her outstanding field instructors, the late Ruth Eiseman, as well as to the late Professor Mary Ann Millet.

A loyal donor to both her alma maters ever since she received her first paycheck, Gail was looking for steady income as she approached retirement. Knowing that her late husband had set up a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) to benefit a college in eastern Kentucky, she followed his example and established a similar fund for the eventual benefit of the Kent School. During her lifetime and through her son's life, the fund pays an annual income stream, based on a pre-determined percentage rate. In addition, continuing the engagement with Kent School, which began when she graduated, Gail has been an active and influential donor in the creation of the Kent School's first and only endowed chair—the Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work—and she is actively involved in the School's Oncology Support Program.

Beyond UofL, and as a lifelong appreciator of the arts, Gail supports and is involved with numerous cultural organizations throughout Kentucky.

To learn more about setting up a gift that also provides an income stream during your lifetime, please contact Kathryn J. Sides, M.A., CFRE, CAP® at (502) 852-5051 or plannedgifts@louisville.edu.