October 17, 2012
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences has received a $125,000 gift to establish the Edward and Linda Speed Endowment, which will support Theology and Philosophy faculty research.
Ed Speed (B.B.A., ’70, M.A. ’86) is a member of the school’s advisory council and a retired banking executive. He said that as a senior business leader, he often witnessed how important the core facets of a liberal arts education are to successful leadership.
“Linda and I can think of no better way to help St. Mary’s advance its mission as a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution than to provide financial support to the Theology and Philosophy faculty who directly influence the liberal arts education which is critical for the development of future leaders,” said Speed, who was named Distinguished Graduate in earning his master’s degree in Systematic Theology.
Ed Speed is a former adjunct faculty member of the St. Mary’s Theology department, and plans to return to that role in Fall 2013. He has taught two undergraduate courses, “Theological Foundations: Religious Experience, Tradition and Commitment” and “Sacraments, Rite and Religious Symbols.”
Speed retired this month as President and CEO of Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, the largest state-chartered credit union in Texas. He’d spent 35 years in financial services, real estate development and construction. He received the Bro. Paul Goelz, S.M. Award from St. Mary’s in 2003 for his community impact and Marianist values in business.
“The faculty of St. Mary’s University and many members of the Society of Mary have been a profound influence throughout my adult life,” he said.
Speed also helped establish the Houston Business Ethics Forum to foster the application of Catholic Social Teaching in business.