Academy Foundation Blog

Distinguished Donor and Academy Member, Colonel Frances G. Ballentine, MS, RetRD, Leaves a Legacy with the Academy Foundation

By Foundation Admin posted 01-24-2018 11:00 PM

  

Colonel Frances Gasson Ballentine, MS, RetRD, an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics member since 1944 and a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, passed away in November of 2017 at the age of 95, bequeathing more than $250,000 to the Academy Foundation through her estate.

Colonel Ballentine had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, serving as Consultant Dietitian for the Air Force Logistics Command as well as Consultant in Dietetics for the Surgeon General’s Office. Ballentine served volunteer leadership roles with both the Academy and Foundation. As a Foundation Emeritus Society member, Colonel Ballentine had a passion for her profession and wanted to provide opportunities for others to pursue careers in dietetics as well, establishing the Colonel Frances G. Ballentine Scholarship Fund for graduate students in 2004.

“Thank you for your generous support of my education and supporting my passion for nutrition! Your gift changes the trajectory of my year as I work towards attaining my Masters of Nutrition (MS) and completing my Dietetic Internship (DI). This scholarship covers the cost of my tuition, enabling me to focus on excelling in my studies.”
Georgia McArtney
Colonel Frances G. Ballentine Scholarship Recipient

“Thank you so much for your contribution to the Academy and to this scholarship. I am so grateful for this award, and honestly, feel extremely honored to receive it. As I go through Grad school and my internship, this money will help fund me through school without the stress of how I am going to pay for it. This allows me to focus truly on what I love, dietetics!”
Sarah Ray
Colonel Frances G. Ballentine Scholarship Recipient


Colonel Ballentine was born December 6, 1922, in Athol, MA, a daughter of Longinis Gasson, and Mary Bagdonis Gasson. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts, and her Masters of Science from Ohio State University. She was also a member of the Aerospace Medical Association, the Association of Military Surgeons, and the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.

Colonel Ballentine was the widow of Colonel John W. Ballentine. She is survived by a nephew, two nieces and a great niece. If you would like to make a gift in memory of Frances Colonel Ballentine, you may do so through the Academy Foundation’s Tribute portion of the online donation form.


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