Edward T. Foote II

Edward Thaddeus "Tad" Foote II (December 15, 1937 – February 15, 2016) served as the fourth president of the University of Miami from 1981 through 2001.[2]

Edward T. Foote II
4th President of the
University of Miami
In office
March 1981[1] – June 1, 2001
Preceded byHenry King Stanford
Succeeded byDonna Shalala
Personal details
Born
Edward Thaddeus Foote II

(1937-12-15)December 15, 1937
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedFebruary 15, 2016(2016-02-15) (aged 78)
Cutler Bay, Florida, U.S.
Spouse(s)Roberta "Bosey" W. Fulbright 1964–2015 (her death)
Children3
Alma materYale University
Georgetown University Law Center
ProfessionEducator, administrator
InstitutionsWashington University in St. Louis
University of Miami

Early life and education

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Foote subsequently graduated from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Career

Foote served as dean of the law school at Washington University in St. Louis from 1973 to 1980.[3] He was 43 when he succeeded Henry King Stanford, as the fourth University of Miami president, in March 1981.[4][5]

During his tenure, undergraduate admissions and academic standards were raised, top faculty recruited, and major private and government funding secured for research and permanent facilities. The increase in the University's local, national and international profile paralleled the rise of Miami as the so-called "Capital of the Americas."

His tenure included: a capital fundraising campaign that was the second-largest in the history of American higher education at the time, raising $517.5 million; purchasing or constructing nearly 50 buildings; and bolstering students' academic quality. In 1982, Foote pared undergraduate enrollment by 2,500 to 8,500, raising the standards of incoming students. Entering freshmen in the fall 2000 had an average SAT score of 1200, about 100 points higher than the class of 1981. Today, Miami's mean SAT score is 1315.[6]

He also increased sponsored research conducted by university professors and scientists, with $193.9 million being spent on research in 2000, up from $58.1 million, in 1981. He created three new colleges — the School of Architecture, School of Communication, and the Graduate School of International Studies, increased the number of full-time faculty members by 560 and championed the university's athletic program. Under him, Miami won four national championships in football and three College World Series titles. He also reinstated the men's basketball program.[7]

Honors

The University of Miami established the Foote Fellowships in honor of the University's fourth president. In 2003, Foote was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.

Death

Foote died at the age of 78, from complications of Parkinson's disease, at East Ridge nursing facility in Cutler Bay, Florida. Former University of Miami president Donna Shalala wrote in an email, "He was a remarkable leader and a real gentleman. The University improved greatly under his tenure." The university's current president, Julio Frenk, said "President Foote’s tenure … was marked by a far-reaching and rigorous pursuit of academic excellence that helped to distinguish our students and faculty among the finest in the nation. Together with his late wife, Roberta "Bosey" Fulbright Foote, they made Miami their home, and we are a far better and stronger institution and community thanks to them."[8]

Personal

Foote was married to Roberta "Bosey" Fulbright Foote, who died in May 2015. She was born Dec. 27, 1938, in Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late U.S. senator, J. William Fulbright, namesake of the Fulbright scholarship.[9] They had three children, Julia, William and Thaddeus and eight grandchildren.[10]

References
  1. National Desk (March 29, 1981). "U. OF MIAMI, PLANNING CHANGES, NAMES NEW HEAD". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  2. Edward T. Foote II, UM's Fourth President, Passes Away University of Miami News and Events. February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2016
  3. "Foote professor". Newsroom. Washington University in St. Louis. March 5, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  4. Long-serving ex-president of UM ‘Tad’ Foote dies Joan Chrissos, Susan Miller Degnan and Rory Clarke. Miami Herald. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016
  5. Lewis, Jerry (2001). "Foote Notes". Miami. University of Miami. 9 (3). Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  6. "University of Miami - Fast Facts". University of Miami. February 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  7. Long-serving ex-president of UM ‘Tad’ Foote dies Joan Chrissos, Susan Miller Degnan and Rory Clarke. Miami Herald. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016
  8. Long-serving ex-president of UM ‘Tad’ Foote dies Joan Chrissos, Susan Miller Degnan and Rory Clarke. Miami Herald. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016
  9. Roberta ‘Bosey’ Foote, former first lady of University of Miami who helped beautify the campus, dies at 76 Howard Cohen. Miami Herald. May 6, 2015 Retrieved February 16, 2016
  10. Long-serving ex-president of UM ‘Tad’ Foote dies Joan Chrissos, Susan Miller Degnan and Rory Clarke. Miami Herald. February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016
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