Making a difference in the lives of people at the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri

Legacy Gifting From A Donor’s Perspective

Join Bob and Mary Fry Tuesday, April 21st at 11:00 am as they share best practices on starting and executing a planned giving campaign.

Tune in for valuable information to help you walk donors through the complexities of legacy giving. This 1 hour presentation covers how to cultivate and close meaningful planned gifts from donors who have left estate gifts to several deserving charities.

If you are new to the concept of planned giving or want insights from a donors perspective, this presentation is a great opportunity to learn!

Join Us In-Person (701 Veterans United Drive, Columbia, MO 65201) or Via Zoom – Register today to receive more info and the Zoom link!

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Drs. Robert and Mary Fry

Robert W. Fry

Fry graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry in the top 1% of his class. Fry served as a captain in the US Army at Fort Hood, TX, from 1973-1975. After serving in the Army, he attended the University of North Carolina where he received his Master of Science (MS) degree in Orthodontics.

In 1977, Fry began his private practice in the Kansas City area. Fry formerly held the position of Adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Southern California (USC), New York University (NYU) and the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry (UOP). He served as the President of the Kansas Dental Association in 1987. In 2002, he received the Martin L. (Bud) Schulman Award for highest achievement in the Orthodontic Profession.

Robert W. Fry was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators by Governor Mike Parson in April 2023.

Fry resides in Greenwood, MO with Mary, his wife, and has been married since 1970. Mary has a PhD. in counseling and is a Professor Emeritus at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Their son, Dr. Jeremy Fry, joined Fry Orthodontics in the spring of 2006. Their daughter, Whitney, has a doctorate in International Public Health.

Mary Fry

Dr. Mary Fry, Ph.D., LCPC. RPT-STM, is a distinguished expert in the field of therapy and counseling. She earned her doctorate from Regent University in Virginia in 2013. With a diverse and accomplished career, Dr. Fry has made significant contributions as a school counselor, private practice therapist, and faculty member at MidAmerica Nazarene University. There, she was instrumental in founding and coordinating the Play Therapy Certificate program and later served as the School Counseling Coordinator. Currently, Dr. Fry dedicates her expertise to supervising aspiring therapists, guiding them towards professional excellence. She is renowned for her engaging and insightful workshops, offering continuing education for therapists across the United States, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Her recent publication, *Who’s in Charge? A Child-Centered Play Therapy Small Group Model*, released on June 1, 2024, showcases her innovative approach and dedication to child-centered therapy.

Dr. Fry’s commitment to the field and her impact on both her clients and the next generation of therapists is profound, making her a respected leader and mentor in the therapeutic community.

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Myles Hinkel

Executive Director

Myles Hinkel began as Executive Director in June 2020. Myles leads the foundation’s three-pillar mission; fundraising, awareness, and advancing public policy. Prior to this, Myles was Director of Advancement for Gift Planning & Regional covering the West Coast for The University of Missouri. This was Myles’ second time with MU Advancement. He previously worked in the College of Arts & Science before taking advancement positions at Columbia College and the Missouri United Methodist Foundation. Myles, his wife Lora, and their two boys have been involved in the Thompson Center and the Thompson Foundation since their inceptions.

Melissa Eston

Office Manager

Melissa Butler began her role as Office Manager in August of 2022. In her role, Melissa receives and processes donations, assists in event planning, and manages accounts receivable and payable. Melissa most recently worked in Healthcare Advancement at the University of Missouri. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Strategic Communications associate in University Relations at the University of Missouri System. Her first experience working with non-profits was at Columbia College, where she served as a Coordinator for the Advancement division. Melissa is a Columbia College graduate with a BA in History. Her favorite part of working at the Thompson Foundation is seeing the tangible, positive impact its advocacy work has on the Thompson Center and the families it serves.

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Sam Hayes

Director of Development

Sam Hayes joined the Thompson Foundation in December of 2023. During his previous six years with the University of Missouri, Sam raised over $6 million in philanthropic support for many areas across campus, including healthcare, the School of Journalism, Marching Mizzou, campus-wide scholarships, and the College of Arts & Science. Sam has a Bachelor’s in Parks and Recreation from Mizzou. Sam is honored to serve the Thompson Foundation, which has helped many people. He lives in Columbia, where he likes to hike with his wife, Samantha, their two sons, John and Teddy, and their chihuahua Louie.

Christine Pickett

Director of Donor Relations

As the Director of Donor Relations, Christine leads fundraising and awareness initiatives and manages communications and events for the foundation. A Wingate University (NC) graduate with a BA in Communications, she began her career in Chicago before moving to Columbia in 2006. She spent over a decade at the University of Missouri in roles including Conference Coordinator with the MU Conference Office and Director of External Relations for CAFNR, she later served as Alumni and Family Connections Specialist at Stephens College. Christine lives in Columbia with her husband, Mark, and their children, Tess and Ford. She enjoys the outdoors, cycling, classic movies, and hosting family gatherings.