Comets Giving Days 2022

Douglas Aundre Peterson Fund for Homeless Students

The Douglas Aundre Peterson Fund For Homeless Students is an endowed fund established in honor of Douglas Aundre Peterson to support vulnerable students who are in need or homeless. The fund was established in 2018 by Rosie Peterson, director of institutional diversity initiatives in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in honor of her son, Douglas. Your support of this fund will support students who are facing housing insecurity challenges and need emergency support. Every dollar you provide will address students facing critical needs while they pursue their degree at UT Dallas.

In Honor Of

Douglas Andre Peterson

02/04/1969 – 01/04/2018

Douglas once said, “God grant me the knowledge that I may live according to your divine precepts. Instill in me a sense of your purpose. Make me a servant of your will and grant me a bond of selflessness that I may truly do your work.”

This is how Douglas lived his life. Others often said to his mother, Rosie, that Douglas had a good heart and it was visible even when meeting him for the first time. He believed that he had an obligation to help others. Even though his family was not well off financially, Douglas felt that whatever he had should be shared with others. Douglas truly had a servant attitude about his life. His mother couldn’t think of a better way to honor him and continue his legacy than to establish Douglas Aundre Peterson Fund for Homeless Students.

Douglas Aundre Peterson (Bigboydre) was an employee of Wal-Mart in Dallas, Texas, before relocating to Mobile, Alabama in April 2017. Douglas was a graduate of Little Flower, class of 1983 and Murphy High School, class of 1986. He was a member of Sigma Psi Phi Fraternity (high school) and attended DeVry University in Atlanta, Georgia. His paternal grandmother, Cynthia Peterson of Mobile, Alabama and maternal grandparents, Roosevelt & Ella Mae Bendolph, of Prichard, Alabama, preceded him in death.

Douglas leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted parents, Paul and Rosie Peterson of McKinney, Texas. One God Sister, Cierra Monique Cross, of Dallas, Texas, two God brothers, Jonathan Cross and Demarrian Evans, of Dallas, Texas.