Fred W. Fields stepped down as chair of Lewis & Clark’s Board of Trustees in May, after serving in that role since 2001. He joined the board in 1985, helped create the Morgan S. Odell Professorship in the Humanities in 1990, and made the lead gift for the Fred W. Fields Center for the Visual Arts in 1993.

As a young man, Fields signed on with Coe Manufacturing Company, a supplier of wood products machinery. He advanced from equipment installer to company vice president in a mere 15 years. He later went on to serve as Coe’s president and chief executive officer for 23 years.

Fields brought to the Lewis & Clark board a commitment to high standards and progressive thinking. During his term as board chair, the College acquired nearby property for a new “south campus”; built three new apartment-style residence halls; began construction on John R. Howard Hall; and weathered an unexpected presidential transition. Through it all, Fields stayed the course.

“We owe Fred a big thank you for his unflappable guidance during good times and bad for the College,” says Mary V. Bishop, vice chair of the board. “He’s demonstrated tremendous leadership over the years.”

Fields received a standing ovation from the board at its May meeting along with a crystal bowl that was etched with a list of accomplishments that occurred at the College during his tenure.