1961 Texas A&M University economics and mathematics graduate Luther H. "Luke" Soules III and his wife Andrea have partnered with the Luke and Merle Soules Family Foundation to establish the Luther H. Soules III '61 Endowed Chair for Global Macroeconomics Theory and Policy in the Department of Economics at Texas A&M.
The $I million chair, created by a gift to the Texas A&M Foundation, will support future professors in the department whose work focuses on global macroeconomics theory and policy, enabling them to advance teaching, research and service in related disciplines.
"This chair represents a lasting legacy that will enable top scholars to advance research and teaching on economic relationships between global economies," Luke Soules explained. "These relationships are more than just transactional; they are crucial links that foster global shared interests and prosperity. They generate public and private capital, which supports public and industrial infrastructure and financial resources essential to economic growth and health and social services, all contributing to sustained growth and welfare."
A Family Tradition Of Generosity
Luke and Andrea, along with their son Luther IV, Texas A&M Class of 2018, and daughters Brett Neunhoffer and Laura Nell Burton, served on the board of the San Antonio-based Luke and Merle Soules Family Foundation, which was established and funded by Luke in 1999 in honor of his parents. Their family's generosity also includes two previous doctoral fellowships and an annual service award established in their name in Texas A&M Economics.
Their endowed chair is expected to impact the educational experience of students at Texas A&M by incorporating transformative global macroeconomic concepts into the curriculum in ways that benefit both undergraduate and graduate students.
"Luke’s passion for undergraduate education at Texas A&M is reflected in his support for global macroeconomics, which is helping to make global concepts more accessible to undergraduates, master’s, and Ph.D. students in macroeconomics courses," said Dr. Steve Puller, professor and former head of Texas A&M Economics. "We're developing transformational teaching materials from research on more recent key issues like the effects of trade policies on economic growth, labor market shifts from rising exports and global supply chain disruptions. This will introduce our students to timely, relevant topics that aren't yet part of their standard curriculum."
Cultivating A Commitment To Service
Texas A&M has had a profound impact on Soules' life and career. As an undergraduate, he was drawn to the university's faculty and its challenging academics. His participation in the Corps of Cadets and the Memorial Student Center Student Conference on National Affairs helped him develop leadership skills and deepened his commitment to public service.
After graduating from Texas A&M with bachelor of arts degrees in economics and mathematics in 1961, Soules earned a law degree from the University of Texas in 1967. Following law school, he clerked for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert W. Calvert before embarking on a distinguished legal career. He founded the firm Soules & Wallace and, during his 57 years as a lawyer, has chaired several important committees for the Supreme Court of Texas and the State Bar of Texas. Despite becoming legally blind, he continues to practice law pro bono, maintaining his commitment and passion for representing persons in Texas underserved communities.
For nearly 60 years, Soules has been a member of the State Bar of Texas, the San Antonio Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Fifth Circuit Bar Association and the Professional Liability Bar Association. He has also served as a director of the Texas Aggie Bar Association. His extensive contributions to the legal field and his dedicated pro bono work have earned him many accolades, including Emeritus Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and recognition as the inaugural recipient of the Luther H. (Luke) Soules III Award from the State Bar of Texas Litigation Section in 2008. This award, established and named by the Litigation Section in his honor, recognizes attorneys who excel in both their legal practice and community service.
The Value In Giving Back
In addition to his professional achievements, Soules has been a dedicated supporter of Texas A&M, contributing to the university through numerous scholarships and endowments, including multiple gifts established through the San Antonio A&M Club. He and Andrea have also supported local initiatives such as the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship Fund that generously provides scholarships at Texas A&M and other universities throughout Texas. The Soules’ commitment to education and community service demonstrates their belief in the value of knowledge and the importance of giving back.
“Luke and Andrea Soules are wonderful people with great fondness for Texas A&M and its impact on the world, particularly in global economics,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Mark J. Zoran, a professor in the Department of Biology and holder of the R.H. Harrison Family Dean’s Chair of Arts and Sciences. “Their generous gift and endowed chair will significantly advance that impact long into the future. I am so grateful for my friendship with the Soules family.”
Soules hopes his most recent gift will advance the study of global macroeconomics and also inspire students and scholars to explore the complex multi-sovereign economic relationships that shape our world in the process.
"Global macroeconomics shows us that working together in global trade relationships can make economies more efficient and help societies benefit from increased productivity and more opportunities for consumption and well-being," Soules said. "While there are big challenges, overcoming them could lead to a more balanced and less troubled global economy."
