James Foy

James Edgar Foy V (born 1917 in Eufaula, Barbour County; died October 8, 2010 in Auburn) was dean of student affairs at Auburn University from the 1950s until his retirement in 1978.

Foy, a graduate of the University of Alabama, was a Navy fighter pilot during World War II. He returned to Alabama as assistant dean of students in 1948, but left after two years to join the office of student affairs at Auburn, where he was quickly promoted to director and dean. He was named "Dean of the Year" by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in 1975.

After retiring, Foy served as executive secretary for Governor Fob James for two years. He died at the Bethany House hospice of the East Alabama Medical Center in 2010.

James E. Foy Hall (formerly the Foy Student Union) and its renowned "James E. Foy Information Desk", as well as the James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, given to the winner of the Iron Bowl, are named in his honor.

He and his wife Emma O'Rear Foy had two daughters, Susan (Spratling), and Mary Lou, is a well-known photojournalist. Foy was buried at Fairview Cemetery in Eufaula.

References

• "James Edgar Foy, beloved Auburn dean, dies at 93." (October 9, 2010) Associated Press/Birmingham News
• Clair, Jillian (October 9, 2010) "James Foy, Auburn icon, dies at 93." The Auburn Plainsman