Mohawk Valley Community College’s Foundation hosted a naming ceremony for conference room 129 at noon Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Plumley Complex at the College’s Rome Campus, 1101 Floyd Ave. 

The conference room was named in honor of Russel C. Fielding, Trustee Emeritus and 2023 MVCC Hall of Fame inductee, who named the Foundation in his will when he died in February 2021. His generous gift of $50,000 benefits the Areas of Greatest Need fund, which enables rapid response to shifting community needs and the ability to pursue unprecedented opportunities, ultimately supporting a stronger, more supportive, and academically outstanding experience for all who interact with MVCC.

“Russel C. Fielding not only served our country but dedicated much of his life to supporting and serving his local community,” said Deanna Ferro-Aurience, executive director of the MVCC Foundation and Institutional Advancement. “Mr. Fielding’s impact on MVCC continues to be felt, and we are pleased to be here today to honor Mr. Fielding with the naming of this room on the MVCC Rome Campus.”

As an involved member of the community and MVCC, Fielding understood the needs of both and how important MVCC is to the success of the community. He served as treasurer of the MVCC Foundation Board in 1962 and then joined the MVCC Board of Trustees in October 1970. He acted as Board Chair from September 1972 until August 1977 and retired in June 1979.

Fielding lived a life of service with many years in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War before returning home as a decorated lieutenant and dedicating his time to the Rome community through his job of nearly 40 years at the Rome Sentinel, handling multiple major fundraising campaigns for local nonprofits, acting as Rome Public Safety Commissioner and director of the Rome Chamber of Commerce, and serving on numerous boards of directors for community, education, and corporate organizations.