How Angelo State University is Helping Former Foster Care Students

SAN ANGELO, TX – Angelo State University has received a five-year, $250,000 commitment from Lubbock businessman David Alderson and his wife, Lisa, to help fund the Fostering Ram Success program that supports ASU students who were formerly in the foster care system.

The Fostering Ram Success program provides a variety of services with the ultimate goal of helping students who are foster care alumni to develop stability, improve academic performance and complete their ASU degree. Services include:

• Admission and financial aid assistance
• Academic advising assistance
• Campus housing assistance
• Counseling, mentoring and support
• Guidance and liaising with community services
• Career exploration

Scholarships reserved exclusively for foster care alumni students are also available. ASU currently has 61 foster care alumni enrolled in classes.

"Lisa and I have supported Texas Tech University in many ways, mostly athletics," Alderson said. "In this part of our lives, we want to impact more of the academic side, the students in the system. I serve on the Texas Tech Foundation, and in my first meeting there was a presentation on the Fostering Ram Success program, an easy choice to make an impact."

It is also fitting that the Aldersons' gift is being announced in May, which is National Foster Care Awareness Month.

"David and Lisa Alderson's gift is transformational to Angelo State's Fostering Ram Success program," said Dr. Ben Lion, vice president for student affairs. "Their thoughtful generosity meets immediate needs for our students, as well as supports long-term efforts through an endowment. We are grateful for their support of students and the ability to expand our programming through activities that will help these students thrive at ASU and as future citizens upon graduation."

A 1986 Texas Tech alum, Alderson was president and CEO of Alderson Enterprises, a family business that began in 1949 and operated six automobile dealerships in West Texas.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Texas Tech Foundation, Alderson is a member of the TTU System Chancellor's Council and the Spur Society, and he assisted with the launch of the Talkington School for Young Women Leaders. In 2020, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Rawls School of Business.

Also active in the community, Alderson has served on the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Lubbock Downtown Development Corporation, City of Lubbock Downtown Tax Increment Financing Board and CH Foundation Board, as well as chairman of the Lubbock United Way Campaign. He previously held membership on the Cadillac National Dealer Council and was chairman of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association.