When a financial planner asked Don -63 and Maryann (Johnson)
Lyle ’65 several years ago to consider what institutions they felt
personally indebted to, two sprang instantly to mind. The Boy
Scouts of America taught Don Lyle that he could take care of
himself. Lamar University gave him the tools he needed for a
successful career as a technology businessman and instilled in
Maryann an appreciation for life-long learning.
“It was at that point that I decided I would attempt to help
others by establishing some scholarships at Lamar,” said Don, who
attended Lamar as an electrical engineering major from 1958 to
1963 and received an honorary doctorate in 2006.
After becoming involved as active alumni in 2001, the couple
created the Don M. Lyle Regents’ Scholarship in Engineering and
the Maryann Lyle Scholarship in Education. Since their initial gift of
more than $400,000, the Lyles have given generously each year.
Additionally, they have made Lamar the beneficiary
of a $2 million estate gift and continue to
look for ways to help. Don was the first chairman
of the College of Engineering Advisory Council,
on which he continues to serve. He also serves as
a trustee of the Lamar University Foundation and
sits on the cabinet of Lamar’s Investing in the
Future campaign, to which the couple has generously
contributed. Maryann is a charter member of the College of
Arts and Sciences Advisory Council. Don and Maryann continue to
challenge themselves and others. It was Don who strongly championed
a “big hairy audacious goal” of $100 million for the campaign.
Reconnecting with Lamar University is just one way the
LaJolla, Calif., couple has worked to improve educational opportunities
for promising students. Don serves on the boards of San Diego’s
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and of Sally Ride Science, which
encourages young girls to sustain an interest in math and science. A
member of the boards of directors of numerous public and private
companies and non-profits, Don is principal of Technology
Management Co., a management consulting firm, and holds several
patents for his innovations in computer architecture. Maryann, who
credits her Lamar education degree with opening doors for her
beyond teaching, has worked with a Mexican-American education
association in Southern California.
“We realized that one of our core beliefs is that the way to get
ahead in life for 99 percent of the people in the world is education,”
Don said. “Virtually all of our charitable work, and in fact very
much of my time nowadays, is involved with contributions to
further education.”
Their involvement comes from a desire to help young people lay
a foundation for future successful, productive and happy lives. “I personally
remember how difficult it was for both of us financially to
get through school even in the days when things were a lot cheaper,”
Maryann said. “I look around for areas to help kids, not necessarily
the brilliant kids who might have it a little easier financially, but other
kids who are willing to work hard enough to go to school, and all
they need is a little push, just a little boost.”
With their gifts to Lamar, the Lyles hope to create a path to
the same type of good education they enjoyed
for students who might otherwise face insurmountable
financial obstacles. “Maybe in some
small way we’ll help the university continue
with its first-class education and add programs
when it’s possible to make things even better,”
Maryann said.
One of the reasons the Lyles have come to
value Lamar so much is because they have seen first hand the way
Lamar professors and administrators value each student. Don Lyle
experienced it nearly 50 years ago when the late Lloyd Cherry, then
chairman of the electrical engineering department and later dean of
the College of Engineering, took a personal interest in helping him
balance his full-time work schedule with his classes. When Don aided
in articulating the vision for the College of Engineering a few years
ago, one of the core values the group came up with was “the success
of each student really matters to us,” Don said. “I believe that is a
Lamar University characteristic in general, which makes it very
exceptional.” All universities produce graduates, but not all of them
care so deeply about each individual student, he said.
During their renewed relationship with Lamar University,
the Lyles believe they have seen their alma mater awaken from the
doldrums.
“With the new administration, Jimmy Simmons and the
people he has put together around him, the place just got re-energized,”
Don said. “It’s as if the lights have been turned on. Just in the
years we have been involved in it, I’ve witnessed a transformation.
Even the physical appearance of the place is different. It’s just a
very exciting time.”
