The Foster Family Doctoral Educational Fund in Geographic Education (SG6427)

Eligibility:
• Be a Ph.D. student in Geographic Education at the ABD level
• Enrolled in at least 3 semester hours
• Be a Texas resident who demonstrates financial need
• Funds can be used for travel and other expenses related to doctoral research
• A student may be the recipient of the funds only once

The Foster Family Doctoral Educational Fund in Geographic Education honors Ellen J. Foster, Ph.D., the third generation in her family to receive an education degree from the institution now known as Texas State University.

Ellen Foster’s legacy at Texas State University began in the 1920’s when her grandparents, Vera Abby Mitchell and Calvin Dubose Foster, enrolled at then-called Southwest Texas State Normal School. Both graduated with education degrees, and each of their careers spanned more than 40 years in public education. In the 1960’s, Thomas Edward Foster, their son, took graduate education classes at SWT, and his wife Jeannine Capps Foster, received a Master of Education degree, and like her in-laws has had a life-long career in Texas public education. Jeannine and Tom’s daughter, Ellen, became intrigued with the newly approved doctoral program in Geographic Education, enrolled in it, and successfully became Ellen J. Foster, Ph.D. in May 2006, a third generation of Fosters to receive degrees in education from the institution.

Her parents recall the expenses associated with collecting data and traveling; therefore, they wish to honor Ellen and to assist future ABD geographic educators by establishing the Foster Family Doctoral Educational Fund in Geographic Education to assist doctoral students with such expenses.