Marshall Field V. ‘59 Receives The Heritage Award

COURTESY OF DEERFIELD COMMUNICATION

On January 28, Deerfield Academy awarded the Heritage Award to Everglades Foundation Chairman, Field Corporation President, and President of the Old Mountain Company, Marshall Field V ’59. 

Established in 1894 by the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association, The Heritage Award recognizes a Deerfield alumnus “whose professional and personal achievements represent a special contribution to the betterment of society.” Each year, the Advancement Office nominates recipients of the Heritage Award through a private review process, and then the Awards Committee of the Alumni Council and a select group of Deerfield staff determine the winner. The recipient must visit campus and deliver a speech to the student body. 

Mr. Field’s philanthropic endeavors focused on environmental conservation, particularly for monarch butterflies. The honor is bestowed upon individuals whose lives reflect Deerfield Academy’s motto, “Be Worthy of Your Heritage.” 

 One of the award’s central purposes is to demonstrate the range of service and accomplishments that are within the grasp of any Deerfield student. Mr. Field V’s school meeting address encouraged students to pursue passions, perpetuating the hope that Deerfield students can make a difference according to the Heritage Award’s emphasis on “a life dedicated to public service, education, science, or the arts.” Mr. Field V exemplifies this notion. 

Mr. Field V has dedicated his life to protecting the environment. During his address to the Academy, he spoke extensively about his work to conserve monarch butterflies and address their rapidly declining numbers. This work entailed raising funds to map the unknown regions of their flight paths. He also worked with the National Audubon Society and Native American Reservations to find places to plant milkweed so more butterflies could lay eggs. 

Mr. Field V’s work stopped a steady 90% decline in the Monarch butterfly species that started in the early 80s. He has a history of trying to help environmental efforts; he was a director of the World Wild Life Fund (WWF) from 2002 to 2008, where he raised 30 million dollars to stop the hunting of tigers in Bangladesh and Nepal. Mr. Field V also chaired The Everglades Foundation from 2014 to 2018, an organization committed to cleaning and protecting the Everglades ecosystem. 

His leadership roles extend to the Regenstein Foundation and the Veterinary Initiative for Endangered Wildlife, non-profit institutions with a focus on education, civic improvement, healthcare, and conservation. He has served on the boards of many other Field family organizations with a philanthropic commitment to advancing conservation efforts. All of these contributions are only a part of the reason why Mr. Field V was selected.

Mr. Field V’s personal qualities were placed under equal consideration. The Advancement Office said that “his generosity is rooted in a simple conviction: that protecting the environment, inspiring creativity, and strengthening institutions and communities are inseparable and essential pursuits.” Furthermore, the Office emphasized that “[Mr. Field V] gives with purpose—not simply to support causes, but to safeguard what is fragile and to strengthen the world for those who come after.”

Thijs Wittink ’27 was selected to be the emcee for Mr. Field V’s talk during the all-school meeting. As the leader of the Fly Fishing Club and the Environment Club, Wittink remarked, “Mr. Field V. gave me insights into my own work as a student passionate [in] environmental studies.” Wittink was especially appreciative of “his dedication to environmental issues, particularly during the era that did not support sustainable practices.” Mr. Field V’s devotion to natural life “inspires [Wittink] to follow in his footsteps.”

Marshall Field V '59's success is a testament to how one can “Be Worthy” beyond their time at Deerfield and live true “Days of Glory” by helping out others.