Gift & Estate Planning

Ruth Rowan Morrison

Ruth Rowan Morrison (BSHE '44) vowed the day she received her bachelor's degree in home economics from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences that she would one day repay a debt of gratitude to the University of Georgia.

During her time as an undergraduate at FACS in the 1940s—then the College of Home Economics—Ruth fell desperately ill with peritonitis following a scheduled appendectomy. After narrowly escaping death, Ruth was told by doctors she might never walk again. The overwhelming concern and kindness exhibited to her by professors and fellow students during her lengthy convalescence would never be forgotten.

In fact, some 50 years later, Ruth would remember her alma mater by including it in her will, leaving a substantial portion of her estate to FACS. Following her death in October 2005, Ruth's commitment to her undergraduate institution and her outstanding generosity has allowed FACS to create an endowed graduate doctoral assistantship in the Department of Foods and Nutrition.

Ruth's gift is one that will make a difference in the life of the department and the college for many, many years to come, according to Mary Ann Johnson, Foods and Nutrition professor and graduate coordinator.

"This endowment will allow our department to recruit from among the best doctoral applicants in the country. As part of their doctoral studies, the Ruth Rowan Morrison Doctoral Scholar will conduct research in collaboration with faculty and scientists at UGA and other research facilities in Georgia, the nation and the world," Johnson said. "They can choose from among many exciting research areas such as new and effective ways to combat obesity and other chronic diseases from molecular, cellular, and public health perspectives throughout the lifecycle. Our department is very grateful to Mrs. Morrison and to the Morrison family for allowing us to have this wonderful opportunity to attract an outstanding doctoral scholar to our graduate program."

Born on July 16, 1922, Ruth grew up in Tifton, Georgia, the daughter of Claudia Williford Rowan and Dr. William Aaron Rowan, a dentist. Ruth and her sister, Sarah Rowan Taylor Kerby, were taught the importance of good nutrition by their forward-thinking mother who influenced Ruth to pursue her interest in nutrition with a post-graduate degree. Ruth later earned her masters degree in nutritional science from Western Reserve, now Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ruth married Francis "Frank" Holden Morrison of Thomson, Georgia on April 8, 1950. Their union galvanized Ruth's dedication to nutrition and healthcare. Frank's dream of becoming a doctor ended after an injury during an amphibious landing in the South Pacific during World War II. As a result, he decided that his health would not allow the physical rigors the profession demanded. Instead, he finished his bachelor's degree in science at Mercer University and received his masters in public health at The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He pursued his love of child and pre-natal care by joining The United States Department of Public Health. At the time of his retirement, Frank headed the Children's Bureau of Health and Rehabilitative Services for eight southern states with headquarters in Atlanta.

Although they had no children of their own, Ruth and Frank—who passed away in 1991—dedicated their lives to educating expectant mothers about the importance of proper nutrition. Their work found them living in many interesting places, even destinations as far away as Thailand.

Ruth's named endowment opens doors for the Department of Foods and Nutrition that might not otherwise have been opened, according to department head Rebecca Mullis.

"This is the most significant single gift in the department for graduate education. Knowing that this significant amount of money is going to continually be available for an outstanding student allows us to highlight outstanding students in our graduate program, to recruit outstanding students and to help assure that our applicant pool remains strong. It also provides us with assistance and travel money for students that might not otherwise be available," Mullis said. "Permanent, ongoing scholarship gifts help us recruit and retain excellence in our graduate program."

Ruth's commitment to her beloved college and the field of nutrition, combined with her generous spirit encourage others to live philanthropically, too, according to her cousin, Karen Faught Grice of Atlanta.

"Both Ruth and Frank wanted to create a living legacy by giving time, energy and financial gifts to the causes and institutions that defined their lives," said Karen, granddaughter of Ruth's uncle, Dr. Gordon Williford. "Their generosity serves as an inspiration for those of us who want to do the same. By supporting the University of Georgia with a financial gift, Ruth wanted to say 'Thank you,' and ensure the enrichment of other young students as they prepare to offer lifetimes of good works."

Background information and text for this article was submitted by Karen Faught Grice, granddaughter of Ruth's uncle, Dr. Gordon Williford; and by Ruth's sister-in-law, Anne Morrison Killebrew of Jacksonville, Florida.

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