A Tribute to Linda Pitts Custard

On behalf of the Meadows School of the Arts, I join the SMU community and the City of Dallas in mourning the loss of Linda Pitts Custard, a woman whose vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment shaped the cultural life of our university and our region for more than half a century.

Linda’s relationship with Meadows was not simply one of philanthropy; it was a partnership grounded in belief. As a member of the Meadows School of the Arts Executive Board beginning in 1992, she brought to our school a rare combination of strategic insight, institutional memory, and genuine love for the arts. She understood what excellence requires—patience, stewardship, and staying power—and she modeled those qualities in every endeavor she undertook.

Her leadership was essential at pivotal moments in our history. She chaired the opening of the Greer Garson Theatre, helping to usher in a new era for performance at SMU. She later chaired the opening of the Meadows Museum in 2001, a milestone not only for the university but for the international arts community. Under her guidance, 15 University and community events unfolded over 12 days, culminating in a visit from the King and Queen of Spain. This event was an extraordinary testament to Linda’s ability to connect vision with execution and local impact with global significance.

Linda’s devotion to Spanish art and culture transformed the Meadows Museum into what it is today. As Chair of the Meadows Museum Advisory Council for 15 years, she provided steadfast leadership, wisdom, and advocacy. Together with her husband and in partnership with the Meadows Foundation, she endowed the Museum Director position, ensuring strong leadership for generations to come. In 2021, the establishment of the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture further secured SMU’s place as a center for the study and celebration of Spanish art. Her recognition by King Felipe VI with La Encomienda de la Orden de Isabella Católica stands as a powerful affirmation of her cultural legacy.

Linda’s service to SMU extended far beyond Meadows. As a Trustee of the University for 12 years and later Trustee Emerita, the highest honor bestowed, she exemplified what it means to lead with integrity, generosity, and purpose. Her numerous recognitions, including the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Outstanding Trustee Award, and the Mustang Award bestowed upon the Custard family, reflect the depth of her impact and the esteem in which she was held.

Yet what many of us will remember most is Linda herself: gracious, resolute, and deeply engaged. She believed in people, in institutions, and in the transformative power of the arts to educate, to heal, and to connect communities. Her life reminds us that lasting change is built not through moments, but through decades of dedication.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family and all who were fortunate enough to call Linda Pitts Custard a mentor, colleague, or friend. The Meadows School of the Arts and the Meadows Museum thrive today as enduring expressions of her vision. Her legacy will continue to inspire our students, our faculty, and our community for generations to come.

With gratitude for Linda,

Samuel S. Holland, Ph.D.
Algur H. Meadows Dean
Professor of Music