Dwain and Lynda Mayfield of Weatherford, staunch supporters of Texas A&M University, have endowed their second study abroad scholarship, this time exclusively for civil engineering students.
"We are grateful to Dwain and Lynda for establishing this new scholarship in support of our study abroad opportunities. Their vision and 
enthusiasm for international study will open new doors for our students and help prepare them for their careers," said Dr. David V. Rosowsky, civil engineering department head and holder of the A.P. and Florence Wiley Chair.
The Lynda K. and A. Dwain Mayfield '59 Study Abroad Scholarship in Civil Engineering, funded by a $50,000 endowment at the Texas A&M Foundation, will provide a scholarship to a student participating in a university-sanctioned study abroad experience. Recipients will be undergraduates who are U.S. residents with financial need.
"Lynda and I believe that traveling abroad for work or study broadens a student and brings a greater appreciation for our way of life. Just functioning in another culture, using their currency, living several time zones from home, and perhaps conversing in another language, adds another dimension to a person's knowledge base," said Dwain Mayfield, Texas A&M Class of 1959.
He retired in 2005 as vice president of marketing initiatives for Lockheed Martin after a 44-year career in the aerospace industry.
Mayfield began his career in Fort Worth with General Dynamics Corp. as a design engineer. He was one of the lead engineers on the highly successful F-16 fighter aircraft and later instrumental in their sale to several countries.
He advanced to vice president for marketing and strategic planning at the Fort Worth division of General Dynamics and later Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, with responsibility for new business-related functions including future planning, market analysis and development, and program definition. In his final role as vice president of marketing initiatives, he was engaged in high-profile global marketing campaigns for all fighter and transport business.
He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering at Texas A&M while Lynda attended Texas Woman's University for a bachelor's degree in home economics education. After settling in Fort Worth, both earned further degrees at Texas Christian University (TCU), his a master of business administration and hers a master of education.
Lynda developed and managed a weekday nursery school for University Christian Church in Fort Worth for almost two decades after teaching in the TCU Home Economics Laboratory Nursery School.
During Dwain's career, they traveled extensively to foreign countries. In their retirement the Mayfields enjoy more relaxed traveling, help manage their ranch in Central Texas with their son, and are active working on behalf of Texas A&M.
At Texas A&M Mayfield serves on the President's Advisory Council, Dwight Look College of Engineering Advisory Council, Bush School Development Board, External Advisory Board of Directors for International Studies and the board of the Private Enterprise Research Center. He also serves on the Tarleton State University Engineering Physics Advisory Board.
In 2005 he was awarded the Look College's Outstanding Alumnus Award for his leadership in promoting national security, international relations and aeronautical technology. Earlier this year he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering.
The Mayfields are Bronze-level members of the Century Club and Bizzell-level members of the A&M Legacy Society. Their previous gifts include five engineering scholarship endowments totaling $250,000.
"Lynda and Dwain's involvement and support are invaluable to the development of our young engineers, and represent that rare combination of a global perspective and a love for Aggies," said John Small, director of development for engineering with the Texas A&M Foundation.
The Zachry Department is ranked 7th in undergraduate and 8th in graduate studies according to U.S. News & World Report. The magazine ranks the Look College 9th in undergraduate and 7th in graduate studies among public institutions of higher education.
