Connie and Ed Easley continue to love and give back to UT.
It would be an understatement to say that the Easley family are Longhorn fans. Despite being the lone Red Raider in their family of four, Connie admits they all “bleed burnt orange.” Their love for the University is what pulled Ed and Connie back to Austin after Ed’s retirement as President of Lennar Multifamily Development and Construction Operations. Their commitment to all things burnt orange is only matched by their desire to give back and make an impact on campus.
The couple have continued to support UT for 20
years, most recently establishing the John “Ed” and Connie J. Easley Forty Acres Founders Endowed Excellence Fund. The Fund will provide support for students participating in the Founders Program within the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, where Ed was invited to speak to students during this year’s summer session.
“Making this kind of gift was not something I thought about as a student,” said Ed. “But we are very fortunate to be able to give back, and it makes me proud to be able to leave that kind of legacy.”
Ed’s heart has always been in Austin, he admits, even after nearly five decades of traveling coast-to-coast for his job in real estate development. He said that during his nationwide travels, he never felt at home like he does here in Austin. That’s why, shortly before retiring, he and Connie decided to move permanently back to Austin, home of “the most amazing college in Texas,” as Connie said.
“I never really wanted to leave in the first place,” he admits. “But back in 1973, you had to go where the work was. There were not the vast number of job opportunities in Austin that there are now.”
After graduation Ed moved to Lake Tahoe to begin his career, which would include stints at several companies as well as owning his own real estate development business and a couple of restaurants. He survived five recessions and one early retirement before returning to the real estate industry to close out his career at Lennar.
“Lennar was a great way for me to end my career,” he said. “I was able to manage 12 fully integrated divisions from coast-to-coast.”
Looking back, he said he can credit UT and McCombs for helping him prepare for all of the transitions and many of the challenges that were part of his impressive journey.
“The entire experience [of attending UT] was challenging in a good way,” he said. “I felt right at home in the business school and being there taught me a lot. I loved it.”
Connie, a Texas Tech University grad, pursued a career as a teacher in inner-city schools, something she felt was akin to a calling. The daughter of a Baptist minister, Connie says she always felt the need to take care of children.
“My mom always had a spirit of taking care of kids in need,” she said. “So, I always felt drawn to the students who didn’t necessarily have ideal upbringings.”
That spirit of caring for others permeates the couple’s philanthropy philosophy, always seeking out areas with need and doing their best to fill it. Aside from their UT contributions, the Easleys have supported two girls’ orphanages in Peru, and Connie makes quilts for foster care children.
“We‘re lucky people,” said Connie. “We know that, and we want to give back where we can.”
Ed adds, “It’s important to look back and appreciate where you’ve been. It’s truly an honor to give back.”
Reflecting on his own UT experience, Ed thinks carefully about what he would tell the students embarking on their own Longhorn journeys. It comes down to this: “Embrace the UT experience. You don’t realize it now, but this is a defining moment in your life, so make the most of it.”
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