Beatrice McMillan Field graduated from Newcomb College in 1928 and earned a graduate degree from Tulane in 1942. While still a graduate student, she assumed the position as head of alumni activities, where she remained until her retirement in 1976. At the time of her retirement, The States-Item wrote: "Bea Field administered alumni affairs at Tulane with such distinction as to make her the best known Tulanian from coast to coast among alumni groups for nearly three and a half decades."
One of Bea Field's most innovative projects was the Tulane Educational Conference, first held in 1954. These "educational road shows" featuring Tulane faculty members were extremely popular with alumni and were replicated by many universities across the country. In 1964-65, Bea was elected national president of the American Alumni Council, being one of only two women to hold the position. Shortly before her death in 1986, her devotion to Tulane and Newcomb was recognized when she received Newcomb's Lifetime Service Award.
Although Bea remains in the hearts of so many colleagues and alumni who were fortunate enough to know her, there are no university rooms or buildings named for her. We would like to remedy that oversight and at the same time ensure that her legacy is passed on to future generations of Tulane alumni. With your help we can secure a $1.25 million endowment and honor Bea Field's life and accomplishments by naming the Alumni House in her memory.
To reach this financial goal the Diboll Foundation has generously provided Tulane University with a $500,000 challenge grant to help us in our efforts to establish an endowment to be used for the support of the Office of Alumni Affairs and the maintenance of the Alumni House. As an added incentive, upon reaching our goal we plan to name the Alumni House after the beloved former director of Tulane Alumni Affairs, Bea Field.
This is a rare opportunity for you to join with us in promoting Tulane alumni awareness about the importance of programs sponsored by the Alumni Association and Alumni Affairs in creating, maintaining, renewing, and deepening alumni connections with the university—and about the need to support such programming. We expect this campaign to have far-reaching effects on our future fund-raising capabilities well beyond the attainment of our $1.25 million goal. Thank you for your consideration of this important request.
To donate online you will need to enter "Bea Field Endowment Fund" in the section "Other" under "About Your Gift"
Alumni Affairs, Tulane University, 200 Broadway St., Ste. 209, New Orleans, LA 70118 504-865-5901 alumni@tulane.edu