It was the middle of a recession and William (Bill) Speer, the dean of UNLV's College of Education at the time, had tough decisions to make along with his team. There was a call to cut 35% of the annual budget, and they were doing whatever they could to cut costs, save jobs, and preserve the future of the university.

In the midst of that stress, the college tried to be innovative in making efforts to increase morale and encourage pride among faculty and students. A brilliant idea came forward to transform the disheveled remnants of the preschool playground on the west side of the Carlson Education Building into a xeriscape garden that the entire campus community could enjoy. 

The source of that idea was none other than Marge Speer,  administrative assistant for the chair of curriculum and instruction and Bill’s partner in life. Marge envisioned a beautifully shaded area with a desert landscape that would reflect a sense of pride. So, with the determination, experience, and continued perseverance of the fantastic UNLV facilities team, the area was transformed and has grown into what we see today.

Marge and Bill Speer

Marge and Bill were high school sweethearts who went on to college together at Northern Illinois University. After 20 years of working together at Bowling Green State University, life brought them and their two sons, Jeff and Ryan, to Las Vegas. Bill served UNLV for nearly 27 years in multiple roles including professor and dean. In 2013, he founded UNLV’s Mathematics Learning Center, which led to him earning the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) .

Marge was on campus with him for most of that time before retiring in 2010.

“Early on, when I first met Bill, almost the first words that came out of his mouth were about his wife,” noted College of Sciences Dean Eric Chronister at the March 2 dedication of the learning garden named for the duo. “He gave her credit for all of his success. It was a love story that was clear from the very beginning.” 

Even though they worked together 24/7 every day in the same department, it was common to find the pair enjoying lunch outside in the garden together. “I love my wife, but that’s a lot of time to spend together,” quipped Associate Dean for Student and Community Engagement Jeff Shih. 

Bill and Marge were married for more than 48 years when she passed away unexpectedly in 2015, but her spirit continues to guide Bill. “She is still with me and guides me in every decision I make. It's not every day that a person comes along who understands so much; who cares so much; who gives so much; who is so much fun to do things with; who forgives mistakes; who always listens; and who gives so freely. Each time I think of her, I fall in love all over again. She let me into her heart where I experienced her special spirit that was as beautiful as her physical presence.”

Their relationship is often compared to the Pixar movie, Up, with Carl, a curmudgeonly retired balloon salesman who, thanks to a neighborly wilderness scout, fulfills the dream of his late wife. “I don’t think Bill needs a scout,” explained Shih. “Marge is still with him and with us every day. When I think of them together, all that comes to mind is, ‘It’s just right.’”