Alumni Memories

I want you to know that you were one of my favorite teachers and definitely influenced my decision to major in Chemistry and then to go on to medical school. '95

I never did get a chance to say this, so I'm saying this now: You were the best teacher that I had in high school, and I am one of the many students that are very grateful for that experience. Every student should be so lucky. ‘91

I was a student of his at DGS in about 1983. Wow, looking back I have the same opinion of him that I had then. He was an inspired educator and carefully maintained the ground between no-nonsense college prep and big-picture student advocate. I'm pleased to see he is still at DGS. Tell him I'm appreciative. '85

He showed his care for his students as unique individuals, demonstrated friendship over the years with reunions and letters. '76

I am almost done with my first year of general chem. Because of the strong foundation that I received from you in honors chem and AP chem, I am doing very well in chemistry right now. I have brought my grade up to an A now. You were a great teacher, and I really enjoyed your class. Sometimes I think back upon AP chem, and I wish that you were teaching my chemistry class now. ‘01

Again, thanks for all the effort you put forth to keep in touch with all your former students. You are forever in our memories as the best that a teacher/mentor/role model/all around cool guy can be. I think about your enthusiasm a lot as I try to work with the nurses at the hospital, how to convey my enthusiasm to them and get them excited about their jobs and learning more -- and you and your teaching style are the best role model for me (though I'm not allowed to blow anything up at work; damn the luck!). ‘84

I remember when you told me, when I was about 25 or so, that if I didn't decide to do something besides painting pretty soon, that that's what I would become for the rest of my life. I should have taken your words a little more seriously back then! When I look back, I see how important the decisions we make back in our teens/ early twenties, really were. At the time, life gave the impression of going on forever. Now, it's more clear that it doesn't, and that you have to make the most of opportunities when you have the chance.

When I look at all the accomplishments of some of my classmates, it's very impressive how many talented individuals passed through your classes, and how many people you helped along their way to such outstanding careers. That's quite a legacy you've created as a teacher! It's hard to imagine that you'll be retiring in one more year. You certainly deserve some peace and relaxation after putting up with us high schoolers for some many years!

Thanks again, for all your hard work as a teacher and the chess coach- through those two avenues, you probably had as big an influence on me as anyone during my time at DGS. The school is going to lose a truly dedicated educator- you'll have to at least go back to give lessons in how to properly fianchetto from time to time. '78

Congrats on being an awesome and memorable teacher! I remember working very hard, but having lots of fun. I do a lot of work in our district as a volunteer now and have learned more than I ever expected about the challenges and joys of teaching teenagers. I'm grateful they never managed to blow you up! :] Enjoy these days and your retirement. ‘83

Thanks again for your positive influence on all your students over the years, and for taking the effort to keep in contact with so many of us. You're great! ‘76

Anyways thank you for the email and I want to also wish you the best with your
retirement. DGS will sorely miss one of its finest teachers. '85

Thanks for your excellent work as a teacher. '94

Hope you're enjoying the countdown to retirement and are getting recognition for what a terrific influence you've been on many of us. DGS will definitely miss you. ‘82

So, the short of it all is - thank you for being such a great teacher in the classroom and out 'way back when.' You were always one of my favorites. I still have a deep-seated fondness for Nalgene products because of my work as a lab aide, too =). Your passion for science was (and I'm sure is still) inspirational – thank you for sharing. ‘88

As I reflect over the last 20+ years, I often think about some of the positive influences in my life. One of these was certainly the great learning experiences I had with you and the two Chemistry classes at DGS. Not only did I learn a lot, but you also taught me that learning can be fun which is something I continued to live by via my college/major choices, career decisions, etc. This is when I first recognized that it's important to be doing something you like, since you'll be spending most of your waking hours doing it (or thinking about it). I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to help provide a broader understanding of careers in chemistry-- specifically, you took a few of us to a local chapter meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers which helped focus my college/major decisions (I guess I'm one of the few oddballs who stuck with their major and then turned it into a career!). '80

I miss Mayfield so much! You don’t realize what a great teacher he is until you get stuck with a stuttering moron for a chem ta!! I had my dad bring down my chem notes from last year cause Mayfield explained stuff so much better. ‘02

I hope everything is fine with you and your family and that your retirement goes smoothly. You deserve some rest after sparking the potential in all of the great minds listed on your website. ‘98

I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and dedication in the classroom. You made chemistry fun and entertaining, but most importantly “learn-able”. ‘93

I'm glad/sorry to hear you are retiring. You have nurtured a lot of minds over the years. But 55 is definitely not old! Now you can enjoy some activities you've always meant to do, or even a second career. ‘82

It was with a bit of sadness that I learned you'll be retiring next year. It'll be a loss for DGS and the students, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to take your class -- it definitely prepared me for college! ‘92

Congratulations, not on your retirement decisions, but in having led such a successful career in shaping and inspiring the minds of students for over a generation! I look at the list of people in my class alone and am impressed by the accomplishments of my peers. I know that your approach and strategies of teaching have remained influential in so many of our lives, and the list of alumni in your Neutron News is a testimony to just that. '82

"You are restless, passionate, obsessive, intelligent. You see things in life and in others that most people don't. You're moved by things that others don't even notice. You place priority in people, and feelings, and in giving your all and your best, not in things. You find happiness in the smallest scrap of time lived well, than days spent mundanely.” ‘79

What an accomplishment! I was browsing through the alumni news and you have had influence on some pretty accomplished people. ‘91

Thanks for including me on your Neutron News mailing list. I enjoyed catching up and getting a sense of what everyone was doing these days. As you move into retirement, your alumni list certainly highlights quite a long-term legacy you shall leave. As a parent, taxpayer and someone concerned about maintaining U.S. technological and economic competitiveness, I really appreciate your dedication and accomplishments. As someone whose career path was greatly influenced by your skills, I am personally indebted. ‘75

Congratulations on your retirement this year. I am sorry to hear that you will be stepping down--as many students will miss out on your truly outstanding skills, encouragement and love for science, chemistry and teaching. However, I am thrilled for your retirement! '90

He created a culture of excellence and exploration. '76

You were a big influence on me during my time at DGS. I clearly remember your teaching style and I'm sure I've internalized parts into my own teaching. What I like about teaching is the idea that I'm making a lasting difference in the lives of the students... you can rest assured that you were very successful and influenced your students in ways you will never know. Thank you for your energy back when I was a young, impressionable kid. '81

Congratulations for completing a long career in teaching. Your teaching style and personality really set a tone for learning and encouraged inquisitiveness. Of course, I can only speak for myself, but I hope that I can do the same as I begin to take on teaching responsibilities. '91

I hope your last year was great because you deserve it. I'll always remember you Mr. Mayfield. You were one of my best teachers and I really looked forward to your class and being your lab assistant. DGS will never be able to replace you because you just didn't teach kids at the school you befriended them all. You were an inspiration and I appreciate you teaching me both AP Chem and AP Physics. '01

Congratulations on retiring! I must say it is both a great event (for you) and a sad event (for the students who will not have the pleasure of your lively instruction). '83

Part of my love of science is thanks to you and your class. I hope that I can inspire children to enjoy chemistry and science in general the way that you have for myself and so many of your students!! '97

Thank you for all of your guidance, help, time, and (most importantly) patience during my tenure at DGS. I'm sure that I stretched all of the above more than most humans can handle. Handle it you did, and for that I'm very appreciative. '88

Mr. Mayfield taught me everything I know about science. I may be the only grad who went on to earn a history degree and I took advantage of Mayfield's teaching to place out of every physical science requirement in college. Hee! Hee! My one year of college calculus was also an exact repeat of my senior year in high school. '77

If anyone graduating 1980 or later can tell me what "Universal-Destroyers" are, you will win a special prize. '77

Does anyone else remember Emil Martinec using ring clamps to bolt all of the classroom chairs together? '77

I want you to know that I still think back fondly on my days in your chemistry class. You taught the class with charisma and made learning chemistry fun. Thank you so much for choosing to dedicate your career to learning. '95

You were the best teacher I have ever had. I don't think I could say anything more. After 4 years of chess, chemistry, and physics, I have come to realize that you cared about the little things as much as the big things. You gave me lots of advice on college, life, and a million other things, and for this I will always be grateful. Not only the big things, but you made sure everybody was happy or laughing with the little things. I remember at state this past year you showed me the ranking of the team we were playing by tapping your pen on the table by their number and just smiled. That gave me a buncha confidence. The first time I met you, you were enthusiastic about chess, the first time I had you as a teacher you were enthusiastic about chemistry, and the excellent teaching reflected it. You have earned retirement! The worst part is that many students will never have you as a teacher. I am lucky I did. '03

Congratulations on retirement, your years of teaching success, and mostly, putting up with me in back-to-back classes for a whole year. I'm still amazed I never got sent to the deans office, especially with my pyromaniac lab attitude and the "boxing" incident. '01

In addition to all the medical programs I have on my PDA, I also have the Periodic Table of the Elements - I don't know why, except that I have fond memories of you and your class, and it was free. '82

He went to such great efforts to keep in touch with his former students. '76

Congratulations on your retirement! It's amazing to contemplate how many young minds you guided and stimulated over the years. I feel sad for the new crop of students who will miss out on all the mole-isms. '83

Congratulations by the way, although DGS will really miss you. I consider you overall the best teacher I ever had at any level of education. You touched a lot of lives and continue to do so. '79

As a student of yours in both Chem I and AP chemistry, I appreciated your thoughtful, respectful approach to your students (even when we probably didn't deserve it) and your dedication to teaching. I remember how you worked at becoming a better teacher by taking summer courses that would enhance your own knowledge of chemistry. You may have been the first person who showed me that learning is a life-long process and an enjoyable journey.

As an alumnus, I learned that your dedication to students didn't end at graduation. Some teachers may have considered a newsletter, others might have written one for a few short years, but you actually did it for over three decades - and opened your home to those cumulative students. That is uncommon dedication. I went through college and medical school before I found another educator who even came close to you. '75

Thank you for your dedication and excellence as a teacher. DGS was lucky to have you. I remember being stunned to find out that some of my classmates were going to major in Chemistry, since I assumed everyone else took Honors Chem to look good on their transcript or please their parents, but apparently they actually liked it! '79

Thank you for your positive teaching influences. You are a great role model for me as I try teaching myself. '79

My major memories of your class are 1) waiting for the birth of Michelle in the Spring when your wife was overdue (I think you were kind of nervous about it) and 2) my pouring base in my eye during an experiment and having to wear sunglasses at school ( you were probably a bit nervous about that incident too). '77

Your chem classes were by far the best "academic" classes I ever had. Thank you for the life you brought to the subject, your enthusiasm and your genuine concern for your students. DGS was certainly a better place because of you. I'm sad for next year's students that there won't be a "Mr. Mayfield" but am certainly thankful that our paths crossed at one time. '90

Thank you so much for keeping the Neutron News going. I still have and use my Periodic Table card! You deserve the very best for all that you have given your students and a relaxing retirement. Quite the priceless one you are. '01

Congratulations, first of all, on your long and successful tenure at Downers Grove South. DGS and its students will miss, it goes without saying, one of the best chemistry teachers on the planet. We were exceptionally lucky to have you as a teacher. '87

Thanks for being such an important role model and mentor. I only remember about a dozen elements but I have never forgotten how much of a difference you made in our lives. '91

Your chemistry class was one of my favorites in high school, and had a large part in my decision to major in chem in college. And still a large part of my decision to enter anesthesia. '97

I still have wonderful memories of playing chess in your chemistry room (and of one particular tournament victory I had)...so I guess not all of our memories fade with time. Thanks again for all those great times, you really made an huge impact in so many kids lives! '83

Provided a supportive environment for some slightly nerdy students for both learning and socialization. I still read his newsletters. '76

Only after the years have passed, and after we mature, do we realize the importance of education. I thank you for all that you have done, not just for me, but for all the students that were fortunate to have you as their teacher. I still remember the Chess Team Years. I have not played for almost 8 years! I was blessed to have you as a teacher and hope that my children will be fortunate to have someone as thoughtful and gifted as you to guide them through their education. '87

I don't know if you I ever told you but you were always an inspiration to me as my teacher and I wanted to thank you for that. I never had a teacher care about his students the way you did but yet not let us get away with any crap and you were always there for us. '01

I also wanted to say thanks because you started me out in chemistry and I highly doubt that I would've been this successful or even considered chemistry as a career if it wasn't the great experience in your class. '02

Your class was easily my most memorable class in high school. '01

I must say that being in your classes really made me realize how much i enjoy the smaller classes and the opportunity to actually have a relationship with the teacher. I have missed that connection while I was at U of I. It has made me
lose some interest in my classes, as well as my education. I will say
that I have many good memories from the U of I. I've had many late night discussions, with my DGS friends, of the years we spent in your classes, and how much they meant to us. '03

I just thought you might like to know, that you really did make a huge difference in my life...I was terrible at chemistry at the beginning of the year with you in AP Chem, you had me work hard, and now I absolutely love chemistry and am actually teaching it! I still keep your card pocket periodic table with me! '04

Happy Mole Day. Thanks again for being an inspirational teacher while I was at DGS. I aspire to do the same at IIT. It is my desire to inspire and to be a role model for the physics students (and anyone else that passes through my classes/office). '81

I remember the conversation you had with me in one of the last days of school my senior year. I have known it, but just realized how significant of an impact you had on me and my desire to become a teacher. I always talk about my AP chemistry teacher who would blow thing ups and write words in towels with acid and he knew how to make learning fun...and how much I want to be a teacher like that. '04

Congratulations, but I'm sure you're greatly missed at DGS. Funny how some associations are so strong. Whenever I drive by the high school I immediately think of your Chem classes and picture you dropping sodium into water, etc. Great memories for sure. Congratulations to you on a great career. You obviously made a big impact on many of us in preparing us for our futures. '85

Thanks for making AP chem so great & so interesting...and for mole day ( i miss that, it wasn't celebrated at U of I =/ ) it's had, I think, a pretty big effect on my education and so I figured you should probably know & that I probably owed you a huge thank you...so I went on to U of I & majored in biochem (I had no idea what it was when I chose it, but I knew I liked bio and I knew I liked chem, and thought that the word "biochemistry" sounded good, haha)...in the end I liked my chem classes the best by far & sort of wished I had done chem or chem E...but I'll admit, I made most of my friends came from the bio classes, a lot of the chem & chem E kids could be pretty strange hahaha... I tutored sooo much chem in college, thanks to your AP class and Mr. Mortensen's class...I tutored my friends, other random people, even a middle aged woman who was going back to college to become a nurse, but had an Amish upbringing (so German was her first language) and only an 8th grade education, and was trying to teach herself chem from an online course! (can you imagine?) Jr & Sr year I was a chemistry lab TA...I love the teaching, haaaaate the grading...oh and I teach MCAT classes for Kaplan, and I think my chem lessons are by far the best...I still catch myself using explanations & analogies from your AP chem & from Mr. Mortensen's class when I teach others...

Anyway...like I said, your class & chem had a pretty big influence in how things went for me in college, so I just wanted to say thanks...I graduated this past December and have been just working for Kaplan & enjoying life ( I call it my pre-work retirement)...this fall I'm headed to Spain to teach English for a year through a grant from the Spanish government....I'll be back next summer, and next fall I'm starting at UCLA's med school...

I hope things keep going well for you & I hope those kids you're subbing for at DGS realize what a cool teacher you are, even if they only get you for a day. '04

I just wanted to take the time out to say thank you. You introduced me to the wonderful world of physics (chemistry isn't so bad ;-) ), and I always use you as an example that yes, a high school can make a difference, and it actually is possible to make science fun. '98

I still remember your class fondly; you were definitely one of my favorite teachers (and I apologize for being such a difficult student back in high school!). '93

I must say that all the science courses throughout my education have definitely helped me greatly in my engineering education. It's surprising to see, especially out here at my college in Ohio, the number of students that struggle heavily with concepts due to a lack of a science background. '03

I am, of course, aware that it was only your second year of teaching when you were awarded Scott and I. Your enthusiasm was so welcome, and your class was always one that myself and Scott looked forward to (there were not many Juniors in that class besides Scott and I). And it was fun in those days and you do deserve the credit for that. '74

I am in my second year of medical school at Indiana University. Couldn't have done it without a great background from you! '04

I can't tell you how invaluable your classes and teaching style were in getting me through every single chemistry course beyond DGS. At some point I lost the glow in the dark periodic table t-shirt I wore frequently in high school, but found a replacement periodic table shirt several years ago. '98

thank you for your patience and guidance in the early days of my education! Teachers like you really laid the foundation for my higher education, and I am eternally grateful. '92