When Auburn students visit the Melton Student Center, most are looking for a quick bite to eat from one of its many fast food restaurants, a spot to print out their history paper or a quiet place to cram before their big biology final. Amidst the hustle and bustle of student life, one unassuming yet iconic fixture remains constant: the Foy Information Desk.
The desk serves as a hub of knowledge, assistance and Auburn tradition that has provided its visitors with details ranging from campus directions all the way to how many bricks can fit inside of the Haley Center.
The Foy desk's origins date back to the 1950s when it was established in the James E. Foy Student Union, named after the university’s then Dean of Student Affairs. Known for his warm and charismatic personality, Foy was dedicated to founding a space where students could find not only important information regarding their class schedules and grades, but also a sense of community and belonging.
“Helping people that don’t have internet ... helping them figure out where they need to go, like on the metro, is so rewarding,” said Taylor Gleason, junior in journalism and an employee at the help desk.
As the campus grew and technology advanced, the “Ask Foy” helpline was created to allow the public to call or message the desk and ask nearly any question imaginable 24/7 during the school year. While many queries remain practical in nature, the desk gained notoriety for its faculty’s willingness to answer more offbeat and humorous questions having little or nothing to do with the campus or its resources.
“I just got one about an arrow. If you shot an arrow and you kept cutting the distance in half, would it ever reach its destination?” said Cora Baldwin, senior in software engineering and a desk worker.
Legend has it that before the internet was created, a large binder full of a broad range of fun facts was used to assist callers and students with their inquiries.
“It’s definitely made it a lot easier with the new technology. I don't think I could do this job with encyclopedias and no Google,” said Ava Drafzynski, junior in psychology and attendant at the information desk.
In 2007, the desk was even featured on The Today Show, with former host Matt Lauer quizzing a student on her knowledge of Barbie. This appearance garnered massive attention nationwide and over 17 years later, an established fanbase 945 miles from Auburn is still dialing in with their queries.
“We actually get a lot of questions from the New Jersey area,” Drafzynski said.
Today, the Foy Information Desk continues to serve as an iconic yet often overlooked campus landmark. Even in a world where AI can answer any question one throws at it through an algorithm, there is nothing quite like speaking to a friendly voice at Foy and engaging in conversation about whatever crosses your mind.
Though the staff at Foy aren’t experts on everything, they will always try their best to assist the public, no matter how peculiar their questions may be.
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