FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Walter Mayhew has been named Outstanding Alumnus for 2019-20 by U of A's Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Mayhew is the global germplasm deployment lead for Bayer Crop Science. He earned his master's degree in 1988 and doctorate in 1991, both in agronomy, from the U of A.

"We are extremely proud to name Dr. Mayhew as our outstanding alum," said Robert Bacon, head of the department. "Walter has been a leader in our industry for a long time. Although recognized as an expert in his field, he has never lost sight of the opportunity to help people in his company, the farmers they serve and society in general."

Mayhew has been with Monsanto/Bayer for more than 22 years and served in various roles, including technology development, marketing and product management, and as general manager for Kruger Seeds in Iowa. He has worked with cross-functional teams responsible for all aspects of the seed business from manufacturing, shipping, customer service, sales and technical support.

After graduation, Mayhew spent just over a year working at the Rice Research and Extension Center with the USDA and five years with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. While with extension, he worked in wheat, soybeans and rice, and credits his love of technology transfer to this experience.

Mayhew has continued to grow and develop, as well as mentor others, and be available for students exploring agriculture sciences. 

"I thank my major professor Chuck Caviness and Lanny Ashlock for being tremendous role models, as well as all of the other influences and peers in my career that helped develop my path," said Mayhew. "I encourage others to find role models to pattern themselves after, find their strengths and emulate them. Role models are all around you, from home, high school, college, career and family."

He and his wife Sharon live in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. They have one daughter who recently graduated from college. He enjoys boating, motorcycles and college athletics.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2.7 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.