Lance Foster, a 1974 graduate in the college of business vice president at Ralph G. Moore and Associates

Editor’s Note:This is the first in a series of profiles on distinguished black alumni in honor of Black History Month

The still, clear waters of Thompson Lake influenced Lance Foster not only to pursue a degree at SIUC University, but also a future in the field where he has become the vice president at a major accounting firm.

“Lance is an excellent person as far as character as well as an excellent leader,” said Michael Haywood, a coordinator in the college of business and administration. Haywood has known Foster since their days in the college of business and administration and members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

“He’s outstanding, progressive, a mover and shaker who is appreciated not just at SIUC but worldwide in his field,” Haywood said.

“He’s a person to model your life after whether you’re white or black.”

Long before Foster received such praise from associates; long before becoming a member of the alumni association and Business and Administration Hall of Fame; and before the alumnus was married with a son, spending his days behind the desk where he works as vice president at Ralph G. Moore and associates in Chicago, Foster was a typical student at SIUC.

Not wanting to venture too far from his home in Chicago, he chose to receive his degree from SIUC. Influenced by the atmosphere of the small city, Foster was disappointed to discover that his initial major in engineering did not allow him much time to enjoy the beauty of the campus.

“I started out as an engineering major,” said Foster, a 1974 graduate of SIUC. “I remember I was at my desk in the Engineering Building one day drafting. I could see all of the kids at Thompson Lake from the window, sitting, fishing, out there having a wonderful time while I was stuck drafting. I remember thinking, ‘I want to be out there.’ That’s what changed my whole thinking.”

The desire to enjoy the “beautiful Thompson Lake” that influenced his decision to attend SIUC, caused Foster to pursue his second interest – business. Hoping his interest would provide him with a little more time to enjoy college life, Foster ventured down the short path that led him to the College of Business and Administration.

“The thing about college was a lot of people went, but not a lot of people graduated,” Foster said. “You have to work to get out and get your degree while you’re here. But at the same you have to balance things because you have to maintain a social life as well.”

Foster said, initially, he had to battle the urge to put socialization above academics before finally mastering the balancing act between the two.

“Its difficult because you meet a lot of people and it’s your first time away from home,” Foster said. “But you have to keep in mind, there’s no need in coming here and not leaving with your diploma.”

Although not as time consuming as engineering, life in the College of Business was no easy ride. Nonetheless, Foster certainly has no regrets about his decision to switch majors.

“The school of business if definitely one of the most challenging schools,” Foster said. “Anyone can just do bookkeeping, but they did an outstanding job of helping me to develop business theories and a broad understanding of business concepts.”

Foster balanced out the stress from the College of Business with a social life that existed predominantly in his fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi, where he acted as the president of the organization.

While the fraternity provided Foster with camaraderie and friendships that still exist 20 years later, he said being a part of Kappa Alpha Psi was much more than a social event.

“We were in charge of the Kappa carnival every year which was part of the city ordinance and one of the largest undergraduate events in the nation,” Foster said. “Being responsible for this event not only helped with recruitment and developing our friendship, but also helped to teach long-range planning skills and business strategy.”

Foster credits the business strategies he learned through his extracurricular endeavors, in addition to the school of business, for his ability to quickly acquire a job in his field.

With the help of accountant Arthur Andersen, whom he credits as somewhat of a mentor, Foster was able to leave the SIUC campus after graduation and start at his position fewer than six days later.

“I always joke with people that I’m the only guy who has never had to do a resume,” Foster said.

For the past 20 years, Foster has been a part of Ralph G. Moore and Associates, the accounting firm at which he is currently the vice president. As a primary player in this company, he is responsible for recruiting and surveying clients.

Foster often works with prospective accountants for a career in the field, a position that often requires him to focus on acquiring minority clients. He said that while getting more minorities into these fields begins in college, it is important to make certain there are actually jobs for them when they get there.

“The first thing we need to do is work to get these people into our programs at the university level,” said Foster. “But this is a cruel joke if there is no where for them to work.”

Foster said that, fortunately, as a black man, he did not encounter many race-related problems at what he referred to as a “University that embraces diversity,” nor in the field of accounting.

“You’ll always have at least one disenchanting experience,” Foster said. “Most people are good, but there will always be that one person who will discount because of race. However, you shouldn’t let it be a deterrent.”

In spite of “bumps in the road” Foster said students of all racial backgrounds will encounter, he emphasizes that persistence is the key to achieving success.

“The worst thing that can happen is that you will not achieve all of your goals,” Foster said. “And if you do achieve all of your goals, then your goals were too low.”

Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at [email protected]