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He's had a front row seat for MCC's growth
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Published: July 1, 2009
Education has long been a passion of Mooresville's Frank Fields.
While he served for 32 years on the Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education, he also kept a keen eye on higher education – with nearly three decades on the Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees.
On June 24, MCC recognized Fields' 29 years on the board by naming him the college's first Emeritus Trustee.
Kathy Holland, communications coordinator at MCC, on Tuesday called the 1948 graduate of Mitchell College not only "a real leader in the community," but also a "tremendous asset to the college" in his nearly three decades.
"He has been a longtime supporter and donor to the college," she said of Fields. "He's donated his time and money to the school."
Fields' "emeritus" title came with a plaque that he described as "so big I can't hang it on the wall."
Dr. Ralph Bentley, trustees chairman, called Fields a top-notch trustee who always contributed his honest opinions.
"Frank was a longtime, loyal, faithful member of the board," Bentley said, noting that MCC has significantly grown during Fields' 29 years, with major campus upgrades and student enrollment increases nearly tripling.
"I think he's deserving of this honor."
Beginning his board of trustees tenure in 1980, Fields served as both chair of the Building Committee and chair of the Board of Trustees. Additionally, he established the $1,000 Ann B. Fields Scholarship at MCC in his late wife's name, which he funds annually for students planning to go into the medical field.
Over the last several decades, Fields said "the growth of Mitchell is unreal." He added that he's not only seen technical and physical growth of the local higher education institution, but he's seen academic growth as well.
During his tenure on the board, MCC's Mooresville Center opened its doors. Since that moment in 1984, the center has also undergone two major expansions at its Academy Street campus with a third expansion currently underway.
With a vested commitment to education, Fields served on the Mooresville Graded School District's Board of Education for 32 years as well, with much of his time overlapping his tenure with MCC.
He was elected to the MGSD board in December 1973 and was appointed chairman in December 1983.
He left the board in November 2005.
Fields also greatly contributed to Catawba College, and in recognition of his service and dedication, he received an honorary doctorate from the Salisbury school.
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