December 11, 2002

Alumnus helps make scholarship
possible for construction major

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — An Indiana State University alumnus has helped one ISU student fulfill his dream.

John Alexander, sophomore construction management major from Greencastle, received a $4,500 scholarship from the Fulfilling a Dream Fund, Inc.

ISU alumnus Mark Foster, (BS '93), is a partner in ARA Construction. This past summer, Foster and other members of his company sponsored a charity golf tournament and donated the proceeds for scholarships.

Foster ensured that one of the scholarships would go to a construction management student at ISU. "We are trying to give back to the University and hopefully gain future employees," Foster said. Foster also noted that the company would continue to give a yearly scholarship to an ISU student.

"For [ARA Construction] this helps to ensure they have qualified employees," said Tad Foster, dean of the School of Technology. "For ISU, one of our students gets to attend college without having to worry about how he or she is going to pay for it."

Alexander says the scholarship will allow him to focus more on extracurricular activities. He was working 30 to 40 hours a week at a restaurant to help pay for college. Because of this scholarship, he was able to cut his hours and join the Construction Club, Golden Key and Toastmasters. He quit his job at the restaurant and now works 15 to 20 hours a week with Joe Huber, associate professor of construction technology, of JG Associates where he does remodeling. Huber says it is critical to receive support from alumni. "Mark is a nice example of one of our alumni knocking himself out and becoming very successful," Huber said.

Alexander has applied for internships in both residential and commercial construction. He's hoping an internship will help him decide which type of construction he'd prefer to do. He expects to graduate in May 2005.

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Contact:
Tad Foster, dean, School of Technology,
(812) 237-3166 or tchfost@isugw.indstate.edu

Writer:
Adriane Shaw, Public Affairs intern, (812) 237-3773

ISU Public Affairs:
(812) 237-3773 or http://isunews.indstate.edu