Although much time has passed since he was dean of Dentistry, Dr. Kenneth Bentley, DDS’58, MDCM’62, can still recall the rewards and challenges that came with the job.
“The best part was working with students,” says Bentley, who led the Faculty from 1977-87. “Seeing how they progressed from being absolute neophytes upon their entrance to the program, and how much knowledge they gained by their completion. There was nothing more rewarding.”
By contrast, his greatest hurdle was coping with financial restrictions. “Nine out of 10 years I had to accept a budget cut, and those were hard days. Dealing with that, and trying not to jeopardize the excellence of the program, was a real challenge.”
His experience showed him the value of loyal faculty and staff, and the importance of the Dean’s Fund: funds allocated at the dean’s discretion to support Faculty projects and immediate needs, such as research and travel opportunities for students. “When I was first dean, the discretionary funds were very limited. But over time I managed to increase them, thanks to contributions from generous alumni.”
Bentley can be counted among those generous alumni. In addition to being a loyal annual donor, he has arranged a legacy gift – a gift in his will – allocated to the Dean’s Fund for the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences.
I recognized the value of those contributions. They kept the Faculty afloat in spite of budgetary restrictions, and maintained the excellence of the educational program.”
“Dr. Bentley’s gift to the Dean’s Legacy Fund is so meaningful,” says Elham Emami, Dean of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences. “It shows trust in his successors, demonstrates strong bonds with the faculty, and provides a stimulus for future actions. With this gift he is reaching out and taking a future dean’s hand to address the faculty’s priorities, which are different every decade.”
Bentley’s legacy gift coincides with the University’s 200th anniversary – a time when McGill “seems to be getting better and better,” he says. “Not only has it been able to last all these years, but in terms of international rankings McGill is right up there, and that is something of which we should be proud!”
Inspired by his gesture, Dean Emami has arranged her own legacy gift to McGill. “I have met Dr. Bentley in various faculty events, and every time tried to learn from his deanship experience; I am honored to succeed him. As the first woman dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, I feel privileged to also be the first woman dean to join the 200 for 200 Legacy Challenge.”
For others who may be considering their own legacy gift to mark the Bicentennial, Bentley offers words of encouragement: “Any gift, whether it is large or small, will have a beneficial effect on future generations of students.”
What will your legacy be? Learn more about legacy giving.