Sun Devil’s gift inspired by his own experience with the Disability Resource Center

When alumnus John L. Fuller was an undergraduate at Arizona State University, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) didn’t just help him cope with a learning disability; it helped him identify his dyslexia in the first place. 

“DRC helped me figure out exactly what my disability was and then assisted in helping establish a foundation on how to deal with being dyslexic,” Fuller said. “DRC allowed me to recreate myself as a successful student and have a successful career.” 

Fuller, who graduated in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in business management, is originally from Los Angeles and works as a financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments in the Bay Area. 

Now he is giving back to his alma mater through an endowment to support the Disability Resource Center. He said he hopes that this gift allows the DRC more flexibility when it comes to helping current and future generations of ASU students who rely on its resources, including by equipping the center with new technologies or supporting more staff. 

“To keep up with the new technology and additional support for students can be expensive. I found as a student that little items helped me exponentially, and I thought (an) endowment that offered to cover costs … could help the next generation of students,” Fuller said. “I am hoping this fund will give that little bit of extra help to (students) to help them get over their hurdle, whatever it may be. Every little bit of support can create exponential returns for a student.”

Fuller said his gift to the DRC was personal and that it was his way of paying it forward and giving back to a part of campus life that helped contribute so much to his own success. 

“We all owe our success to help from people or events in our past. By using an endowment, you are paying it forward by helping students who you might never meet, just as someone you never met provided you an opportunity. I think about all the people who started and developed DRC to its current success,” Fuller said.  

Fuller’s legacy at ASU is not only being memorialized with this endowment, but with the attendance of his two sons as well.   

“To have both of my boys decide to go to ASU was at first a moment of pride. I think every parent deep down would like their kids to go (to) their school if it is right for their kids,” Fuller said. “The fact we have walked the same grounds at the same times in our lives has created a unique, deeper connection between us. So as proud as I am about them being so successful as Sun Devils, I am also thankful to be able to have developed this unique connection.”

Fuller remains grateful for all those that helped him and so many other Sun Devils succeed. 

“I would like to thank my DRC counselor, Deb Taska, and all the staff at DRC between 1988 through 1991 for their support. They truly helped me at ASU and my success in life. Every time I walk by the Matthews Center, I think about how great it is to be part of DRC,” Fuller said.

For more information about how to establish an endowment to support ASU students, email Robin Okun Hengl (robin.hengl@asu.edu) or call 480-965-0830.

Make a contribution to the Fuller Family Support for Students with Disabilities fund or make general donations to the DRC.

Written by Marisol Ortega, Sun Devil Storyteller, and Hannah Moulton Belec, EOSS Marketing