In the early 1960s, Stuart Field ’65 joined a small cadre of Bates students mentored by Professor of Chemistry Walter Lawrance to conduct summertime water testing and pollution mitigation along the Androscoggin River from Rumford to Lewiston and Auburn. 

The formative experience put Field on the path toward a career and a way to give back to Bates through a planned gift that will fund a scholarship endowment for Bates science students from Maine.

Years before field came to Bates, in 1947, Lawrance was appointed “River Master” by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, in an agreement holding the river’s paper and pulp mills responsible for the river pollution that caused “a very objectionable odor during the summer months.” 

From then until his retirement, Lawrance brought Bates students into his summer work, using an old mailboat once used for postal deliveries to island communities along the Maine coast. 

“We would test the water for oxygen levels and, if the levels were unacceptably low, Dr. Lawrance could curtail the paper companies’ activities or we would mitigate the issue with 50-pound bags of sodium nitrate.”

So started Field’s career in the paper industry, one that would last more than 30 years — and put his chemistry major to good use as manager of environmental health and safety at International Paper’s mill in Corinth, N.Y., where a savvy understanding of chemical processes is key to producing high-quality paper for consumers while ensuring environmental responsibility and workplace safety.

Field grew up in Auburn, seeing from an early age the way Bates was a part of the community.

He and his family attended the United Baptist Church in Lewiston, where Bates President Charles Franklin Phillips and Dean of Admissions Milt Lindholm ’35, were church deacons with his dad.

A sense of Bates community and service that first inspired Stuart’s commitment to giving back. It started soon after graduation and became a habit, coupling an annual gift and service to his local community. 

Field knew the ins and outs of tax preparation, and as his career progressed he realized that an estate gift, through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, could benefit his family while eventually supporting Bates. 

“My daughter has needs that are unique, and this kind of gift will provide an income stream to her,” Field explained. “It’s a really good fit between that part of my personal planning and my desire to do something for Bates.” 

Stuart’s gift will establish an endowed scholarship fund for Bates students in the sciences with a preference for students from Maine. His commitment to community and rigorous STEM education will have a lasting legacy.