Dr. Thomas S. Field (1915-2009) It all began with a simple-yet unforgettable-request. Inside the First Baptist Church of Quitman Georgia, a young preacher from New York City who had come in view of a call to be the church's pastor asked a boy for a glass of water shortly before leading the congregation in a rousing sermon. "He looked out at me and waved his finger for me to come up to the platform," recalled Ernest Carswell, the boy who was asked to get the water. "It was then that a great man stepped into my pathway of life. And my life was forever changed." The seemingly uneventful encounter between Carswell and Dr. Thomas S. Field nearly 60 years ago proved to be the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Dr. Field moved to Quitman with his wife, Virginia, and their two daughters to pastor the church. Before long, Dr. Field and his family had taken Carswell in as one of their own, becoming influential, guiding forces that would help shape the rest of Carswell's life. "(Dr. Field) became a hero to me almost instantly," said Carswell, now pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church Taylors in South Carolina. "The influence of his life and Ginny's was so great. They had a compassion for me. They poured their influence into my life to help me grow up to be something." While certainly significant, the lasting impact Dr. Field made in the life of Carswell is but a small look into a generous, sacrificial life that spanned more than nine decades and touched a countless number of people living nationwide-from New York and Georgia to Springfield, Mo., and Kansas City. Not the least of places that felt Dr. Field's striking impact was Missouri Baptist University. Dr. Field was called as interim president at MBU late in 1991. The then-College was at a crossroads, with enrollment flat lining and its fiscal longevity in question. Dr. Field, then 75 years old, without hesitation heeded a call to lead a college in transition. "Dr. Tom Field was a giant in Missouri Baptist life. His many accomplishments set the standard for servant leadership. Setting his sights high, he inspired others through his own hard work and sacrifice," said Dr. R. Alton Lacey, MBU president. "Long after his place in Missouri Baptist history was secure, he took on the challenge of leading then- Missouri Baptist College at a time when it needed a steady hand and renewed vision. Without his determined leadership, the University would not be where it is today." Dr. Field's position as interim president, with his wife Virginia at his side, stretched from an expected few months into three and a half years during which he proved to be an unfailing and charismatic leader during a pivotal time in the life of the University. During his tenure at MBU, Field's executive prowess and personal compassion not only left an indelible mark on the University but also created the strong foundation on which it continues to build. Soon after taking the helm of the College, Dr. Field charged the College to "clarify its future" and began planning for a new 100-student dormitory. During Field's presidency, the College also saw tremendous growth in its extension campuses with the approval of the 2+2 program at Jefferson College. Field continued to hold an integral role with the University long after his position as president including working as director of special projects and as a longtime trustee. Simply put: "Dr. Field loved MBU, and we loved him back," Lacey said. His involvement with this institution came after a storied career as an influential pastor and successful college president. After accepting the call into ministry at a young age, Field pastored churches in New Jersey, New York, Georgia and Louisiana and at First Baptist Church of Springfield, Mo., the city where Dr. and Mrs. Field called home during the vast amount of their adulthood lives. From 1970 to 1980, Dr. Field served as the president of William Jewell College. During his time at William Jewell, Dr. Field initiated a "Decade of Greatness," which resulted in enrollment growth and academic plant expansions. Dr. Field's life began on June 2, 1915, in Chicago, Ill. His parents, Thomas and Ann Field, who were Scottish immigrants, raised Dr. Field in Chicago while his father worked for Libby McNeil and Libby Fruit and Vegetable Canery. Dr. Field went on to receive a bachelor of science in business administration and public relations at Wheaton College. He also completed graduate work at Northwestern University. He ultimately received his doctorate in theology from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. After meeting at Wheaton, Dr. Field married the late Virginia Leach on May 20, 1939. Dr. and Mrs. Field had two daughters, Melinda Field Duncan and Rebecca Field Montgomery, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mrs. Field, known as a gentle and unwavering first lady while at MBU-including what became her signature gesture of doling out apples to students as they returned to campus for the first day of class-preceded Dr. Field in death in 1994. For Carswell, Dr. and Mrs. Field's influence on his life was immeasurable, a testimony that is shared by many, including those at this institution. "My life will forever be marked by the kind loving goodness and example of Tom and Ginny Field," Carswell added. Memorial contributions in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Field can be made to the Office of Institutional Ad vancement, One College Park Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63141, by calling (314) 392-2301 or via e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
