To talk with Kristen Bearse is to be reminded of some of the things that make UVM such an inspirational community – passionate and talented students, a committed network of supportive families around them, exciting academics and student life offerings, and the staff and faculty who infuse their own passions and expertise into life at the University.

In fall 2024, Kristen took time to have a virtual chat with us from her book-lined office in Manhattan’s Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, where she is Design Director.

For Kristen (and her husband John Field), their UVM story started with daughter Helen Field ’21 and her college search. Kristen laughed, remembering that Mathematics major Helen originally put UVM on the list because sailing and gymnastics club teams were available here.

Then when it came time for son Thomas Field ’24 to consider his undergraduate education, she recalled that, “He knew he wanted engineering and he applied to all the usual engineering schools … which were all of course about to experience the disruption of the COVID pandemic. His college tour became about a sleeping bag, a cooler and isolated road trips to unoccupied campuses. But he knew UVM well because of Helen, which was great.”

That comfort and familiarity paved the way, but it was the quality and diversity of the offerings at UVM that got Thomas to Burlington.

He saw that the engineering faculty were energized and creative. “He knew they thought beyond the cookie cutter,” which appealed to his intellect and his enthusiasm for learning and problem-solving.

The strong arts programming at UVM was also an important component, the proud mom notes. “He's a kid that loves engineering, and also all sorts of things about the way things are made. Ceramics. Baking. (He's a great baker!) He loves science.

“I think choosing UVM fell into place nicely because other schools didn't have ceramics and arts curriculum available. Now he’s working in the ceramics studio at Williams Hall whenever he can while completing a fifth-year Master’s program.”

And though some might think of that artistic interest as a small addition to his academic endeavors, it has turned out to be a surprisingly integral part of Thomas’s studies and his career path.  

Like so many UVM engineering students, he had his eye on an internship with local start-up Beta Technologies. But he found himself instead blending his artistic interests with manufacturing engineering at Superior Technical Ceramics in St. Albans, which has continued as part time employment with special projects for the past couple of years.

Kristen says, “And he loves it! I didn't know what it was that they did, but he said, ‘Mom, you know those little white things on spark plugs. That's what they make.’

Cheering on their own students led to caring for the larger UVM community

The family became supporters of Rally Cat’s Cupboard, the student-run food pantry that was developed in response to learning about food insecurity among students on UVM campus from their children.

Kristen remembers, “Rally Cat’s came into play because we became aware that some of our children’s acquaintances were needing that support with food. As a parent, you're like, ‘Oh my gosh, right.’ And we love to help where we know we can.”  Which led the family to also support the Student Emergency Fund upon learning of the difference the Fund makes for students facing unexpected needs again from their children.

Along the way, Helen’s and Thomas’s interests led their parents to support AERO and Sailing Clubs and other campus efforts.

“I remember (probably we all remember!) our first mind-blowing books when we were at college. So now I send books, amazing ones, every month from the authors we publish, great authors like Colson Whitehead, Margaret Atwood, and UVM professor Emily Bernard.

“It’s easy for me to do, and he lets me know how much it means to the students who find them. So I send a box every month. Really, I think I get even more out of it than JP and the students do, knowing what the students are getting to experience with the books and the involvement of someone like this!”

For Kristen and John, and for Helen and Thomas, being grateful and giving back as they can comes naturally.

Kristen thought this over during our conversation and offered, “I think we've been taught to just say thank you. Thank you for planning these programs. Thank you and thank you and thank you. You do a lot.”

And thanks to a caring community of donors and supporters, UVM hopes to continue to do so.

Supporting What’s Important at UVM

Whatever you care about, there are opportunities to support students, research, and experiences related to them at UVM. Learn more about areas to have an impact here or reach out to Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst at kmorgens@uvm.edu to start your own conversation.