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President Al Goldfarb (seated) and Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Dan Hendricks (center) with Gil Belles (right).
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Belles Establishes Western's First Donor Advised Fund

April 30, 2007

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) Professor Emeritus A. Gilbert Belles would describe his "Western Experience" as creative and diverse, even wonderful. He has enriched that experience by making a unique gift to Western to support at least three of his favorite entities: the Performing Arts Society, Tri States Public Radio and the department of recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA).

The A. Gilbert Belles Donor Advised Fund was established in April with an irrevocable gift of $100,000 from American Funds, with a pledge of an additional $100,000 in each of the following three years. Once fully endowed, the Belles Fund will support the three entities named above as designated by Belles. While Belles has surrendered legal control of the principal, he does retain the right to make recommendations on how the proceeds are distributed.

"Donor Advised Funds are another service we can provide our donors, a giving alternative that allows us to meet donor needs and increase contributions," says Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Dan Hendricks.

"I spoke with Dan to find a way to direct income to the select areas that I choose to support. Most of these mutual funds were purchased in the 1970s and 80s at a much lower cost basis; cashing them out would have enormous tax consequences. This donation allows Western to benefit instead," Belles explained. "I am doing this as a tribute to the university that was the catalyst for my career. I would like to see others include this particular philanthropic vehicle as a possibility."

Belles arrived at Western in 1968 to teach history. While he was in that department he helped create a Black studies area and then chaired the department of African American Studies. In 1985, Belles "retrained," earning another degree, and began teaching in the RPTA department, where he created courses for the tourism component of the curriculum until his retirement in 1996.

Along the way, he chaired the Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards (CAGAS) for three separate terms. He is a recipient of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Outstanding Teaching Award, five WIU Faculty Excellence Awards and a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Wittenberg University, among many others. He has been involved in numerous community and civic organizations including the Performing Arts Society, YMCA of McDonough County, Tri States Public Radio, Western Illinois Museum and the Macomb Public Library.

"Gil has supported PAS, Public Radio and RPTA on an annual basis for years, in addition to a previous planned gift for a University scholarship, and many, many individual initiatives," said WIU President Al Goldfarb. "His spirit of generosity, of both his time and personal resources, personifies Western's values. His Donor Advised Fund guarantees assistance into the future for those areas about which Gil feels passionately, and facilitates thinking creatively about supporting causes we care for."

"I've had wonderful experiences at Western," Belles said. "The institution has been very influential in making me who I am. I did my best to explore all areas of the university and community; I did not want to be pigeonholed. I was never held back or criticized, in fact, I received tremendous support. This is a way of giving back. It makes me happy to support projects in which I am interested and invested."




Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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