James Foy, Auburn icon, dies at 93
by Jillian Clair / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Oct 09, 2010 | 6842 views | 3 3 comments | 16 16 recommendations | email to a friend | print
James E. Foy, Auburn University Dean of Student Affairs from 1950-1978, died at the age of 93.

Foy died of natural causes at Bethany House hospice of East Alabama Medical Center at 5:40 p.m. Friday, said Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika.

James E. Foy Hall, formerly Foy Student Union, is named in his honor, as is the information desk in the Student Center.

Foy was a well-known Auburn icon and remained involved with the University after his retirement.

After graduating from the University of Alabama, Foy served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot from 1942-1945.

In 1948, Foy returned to the University of Alabama to serve as the assistant dean of students, but soon accepted the position at Auburn in 1950.

While at Auburn, Foy pushed blood drives during the Vietnam War.

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators named Foy “Dean of the Year” in 1975.

After his retirement, the Alabama Legislature approved a special referendum renaming the Auburn Student Union the James E. Foy Student Union.

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Comments
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Jerrodbw
|
October 11, 2010
Jillian,

Thanks for the post.

Steve Michaels,

I only ask that you take a moment to realize that those who work for the Plainsman are doing things above and beyond what is asked of the typical student on the Plains. The Plainsman is a weekly newspaper, released on Thursdays.

May I also mention that newspapers throughout the nation are trying to find ways to survive in the midst of new media, and a recession that has surely hit the advertisers in the Auburn area. I don't believe this was a 24-hour cable news attempt to capitalize on "breaking news", but an attempt to ensure that those who read the Plainsman knew of the unfortunate passing of an Auburn relic.

I do thank you for the reference to the OA News story.

War Eagle, Steve! -and I truly mean that.

Rest in Peace, Dean Foy.

Jerrod Windham c/o 2000

Plainsman Business Manager - '96-97

Assistant Professor - industrial Design -'07- Present
Reply
stevemichaels86
|
October 10, 2010
This is the real reason I made an account is to say how sad I was that in an attempt to I assume "break" this story, you settled for just short reporting.

I would rather have seen the official student newspaper take a little longer and had a much longer, more intimate story regarding this Auburn relic.

He deserves it.

I direct others unfortunate to have to read this "story" to the story by the OA News

http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/oct/09/dean-foy-remembered-au-spirit-kindness-ar-941472/

Get it together if you really want to call yourself a newspaper.

Steve Michaels c/o '86

Reply
The_Sharp_Dressed_Man
|
October 09, 2010
Dean Foy was a spectacular Dean, and friend to Auburn students well beyond his retirement and up until he was admitted to hospice. I understand that he did pass away yesterday afternoon, and I am not aware when the Plainsman was notified of his passing. Having said that, I can only hope that by Thursdays edition his accomplishments will have been properly researched. He did much more during his tenure then to push for blood drives during the Vietnam War.
Reply