Freshman Dane Benge (right) falls into his friends arms as he sees a Funko figure of himself in his newly decorated dorm room at the University of North Texas on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Denton.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Arthur Lowery III wanted to go to college — and outer space.
On Monday, it felt like he got both. He fiddled with the astronaut figurines stationed atop his desk, whipped out his new galaxy-themed backpack, and tossed around the fluffy moon-shaped pillow on his bed.
For the 23-year-old, spending time in the foster care system set hurdles in his path to college. Now, like any other incoming student at the University of North Texas, he has plenty to figure out. So when he and nine other students were surprised with decked-out dorms — personalized to their tastes — it was a weight lifted off his shoulders.
Article continues below this ad
“Other people got access to more things. For us, it’s really just us,” Arthur said. “I want to shoot for the moon. I want to go to the stars. I want to go high, and it’s just hard.”
Arthur Lowery reacts as he sees his newly decorated dorm room at the University of North Texas on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Denton.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
On top of decorating dorms, Greater Than Expectations, a Dallas nonprofit, partners with the university’s PUSH program to help students impacted by foster care navigate college. They stick with the students from their freshman year — until graduation. These students receive programming and are paired with mentors.
Related: See which North Texas universities offer free tuition programs for qualifying students
Only 8% to 12% of youth who experienced foster care earned a two- or four-year degree by their mid- to late 20s, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In comparison, nearly 50% of young adults complete a degree.
Article continues below this ad
“We really want to equip young adults who’ve been impacted by foster care with the support that they need, so that they don’t become statistics,” said Crystal Ward, founder of Greater Than Expectations.
At the start of summer, the ten students fill out a form that inquires about their favorite things. (The more descriptive, the better, Ward said.) Answers spanned from the Kansas City Chiefs, to horror movies, to the color pink. With the students kept in the dark, the team gets designing.
Meanwhile, the students participated in a summer program aimed at preparing them for college life. They were introduced to resources on campus and took classes, ranging from history to theater.
“For a lot of students, when they get here, this is their home,” said Lindsey Foster, coordinator for student engagement.
Quickly, the group learned to lean on each other.
Article continues below this ad
“We all lived in the same hallway,” said Jade Nichols, 17. “It’s almost like living in a home together. We built a family out of it, because all we had was each other.”
Related: See which North Texas schools made U.S. News ‘best global universities’ rankings
The room reveals were the culmination of the summer. Before the grand surprise, the students gathered around a table, excitedly guessing what knicknacks they’d stumble upon in their new rooms.
Will Arthur get his TV? Will Dane be united with his coffee pot? Will there be enough pink and cheetah print to satisfy Jade?
Freshman Da’Veion Allen reacts as he sees his newly decorated dorm room at the University of North Texas on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Denton.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Over time, Ward has seen a range of reactions, from tears to laughter. The fourth year was no exception.
Article continues below this ad
Arthur took in the gleaming new TV, the velvet navy blanket, and the poster of his favorite basketball player. He thought about all that he had gone through — and all that he would go on to do. He promised that his sons in the future would have rooms as special as this one.
Then, he looked around at his newfound friends — showering him with hugs, cheering alongside him, recording the joy spread across his face.
He walked into the hallway and joined the crowd huddling outside the next dorm to be revealed. When that door opened, he would do exactly what his friends did for him.
He would make their moment feel extraordinary. He would make them feel like they could do anything.
If they aimed high, surely, they would land among the stars.
Article continues below this ad
Freshman Javontay Clayton reacts alongside his friends as he walks into his newly decorated dorm room at the University of North Texas on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Denton.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.