’73 ASU Graduate Donates $50,000 through Estate Planning

By Hazel Scott/ASU

Elizabeth Ross (’73) wanted to make a lasting and transformative impact on her alma mater, Alabama State University, by helping the University to continue to educate tomorrow’s leaders.

Ross is leaving her legacy to ASU by making a planned gift of $50,000 to establish the Elizabeth Gardner Ross Scholarship for first-generation students majoring in business education.

“I hope this contribution will help future students lighten the load so they can focus more on their education and continue to pursue their dreams. I do believe education is transformative and I think sometimes students don’t have the opportunity or means…so, hopefully this money will help future students pursue their dreams,” Ross explained.

Ross said she was lucky that her parents and aunt paid for her tuition, and she graduated from ASU without debt. “I hope this donation does that for a future student,” she said.

To apply for the scholarship, first-generation students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Like so many graduates before her, Ross credits ASU for her successes and life lessons.

“ASU taught me how to be a teacher, gave me the framework and taught me the skills I needed to go into the world and be successful. I started out as a business education teacher, which I thoroughly enjoyed. ASU taught me how to think outside of the box and prepared me to handle what was thrown at me,” Ross pointed out.  

The Lowndes County resident, who now lives in Georgia, encourages alumni and friends of the University who are thinking about their estate planning to consider giving to ASU.

“This donation is a small token of my appreciation for what the University provided to me.  It is my hope that future students’ financial burden will be lessened and they will successfully complete their education and go out into the world and be successful.  I encourage my fellow ASU alums to consider giving back to our Alma Mater.  After all, donors are a lifeline to the University.”

Audrey Parks, ASU’s director of Development, said Ross’s gift will have a lasting impact on ASU and its students.

“We are grateful for Mrs. Ross’s investment in her alma mater. Her generous gift will have a profound impact on ASU students,” said Parks.

Parks noted that private gifts of this nature from alumni and friends are also used to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and students and provide funding for instruction and research.

How to Give

For information on how you can support Alabama State University, contact the Office of Development at 334-229-5620 or asudevelopment@alasu.edu.