Longtime Director Of Planned Giving Announces Retirement

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - After 39 years of service to the University of Arkansas, Hugh Kincaid, the director of planned giving in the Office of Development, has announced his retirement effective Sept. 30. Jim Harris, associate director of planned giving, has been named as new director, effective Oct. 1.

G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement, said, "Hugh Kincaid has done a marvelous job for the University of Arkansas and the advancement division. In the early years of the development program, he helped build a solid team in planned giving and many of the major gift commitments to the University have been made because of his hard work and dedicated service. Hugh’s efforts have produced tens of millions of dollars for the University of Arkansas, and his service to the institution will reap benefits for faculty, students and alumni for many years into the future."

Planned giving assists benefactors with estate planning by providing financial illustrations about different gift techniques that may have a significant benefit not only to the donor, but to the University of Arkansas as well. Such techniques range from specific bequests to charitable remainder trusts. In the 2001-2002 fiscal year, the University of Arkansas received approximately $39 million in bequests alone.

A lifelong resident of Fayetteville, Kincaid is a UA alumnus, having earned degrees in business and law. He began his University career in 1963, teaching business law in the Sam M. Walton College of Business until 1995.

In addition to his years as a faculty member, and the more than nine years in guiding the planned giving office, Kincaid had built and managed a private law practice substantially devoted to estate planning. Kincaid also served in the U. S. Army JAG Corps, with the U. S. Justice Department and as Special Associate Justice on the Supreme Court and as state representative in the Arkansas Legislature. He is a board member and past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Committee on Planned Giving and has led numerous seminars for interested groups. He has served on the board of directors for the Fayetteville Public Schools and has also dedicated his volunteer time to the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas and the Walton Arts Council.

Sandra K. Edwards, associate vice chancellor for University Development, said, "There is no question that Hugh’s professional expertise, alumni connections, affable nature and dedicated spirit will be missed. He has been extraordinarily dedicated to his beloved alma mater. But, when I asked about his greatest accomplishment in directing the planned giving office, he summed it up by saying, 'Hiring Jim Harris.’ Throughout our conversations and planning, Hugh has been most concerned about a smooth transition from his leadership to Jim’s and the office’s ability to serve our donors and the development officers. I am indebted to Hugh for this characteristic concern and caring for his constituents."

Kincaid said, "I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve the University in this capacity, and deeply appreciate the wonderfully generous alumni and friends of the University and their advisors, with whom I’ve had the opportunity to work the past nine years."

Jim Harris has served as the associate director of planned giving since August 2000. Prior to that he was in private practice as a partner with the Rose Law Firm (1989-1997) and as a shareholder with Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden and Nelson (1997-2000). He is a graduate of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the School of Law at the University of Arkansas. He received his Masters of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has received the Craig Sterne Award for Outstanding Achievement in Taxation and Estate Planning and is a James J. Freeland Tax Scholar.

Harris said, "I am very pleased to be named the new director of planned giving and especially honored to succeed Hugh Kincaid. I look forward to continuing Hugh’s tradition of providing personal attention and quality gift planning services to our friends, donors and their advisors as we transform the University through the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century."

A search for an associate director of planned giving is under way.