Every day, thousands of students pour in and out of the Melton Student Center. Each one passes by the James E. Foy Information Desk, but few are aware of the rich history, legacy and spirit that accompany it.

The desk first opened in 1953 at the request of Dean James E. Foy. It was originally located in the Foy Union, but when the Melton Student Center was built and became the hub of student life, the desk was relocated—carrying with it the name of its founder.

Dean Foy, known across the city as a man who deeply loved Auburn and its students, had a dream: to serve students by providing a way to answer any question. Students could call the Information Desk in the Foy Union, and desk workers were honor-bound to find an answer—no matter how obscure. Workers would pore over an index card system, then folders full of information, and now the internet, until they had the answer.

While the desk may have started as a service for Auburn students, it quickly gained notoriety across the United States and beyond. The concept was revolutionary, especially in a time before everyone had a search engine in their pocket. It is widely considered one of the greatest and most accessible sources of information on a national scale. Oprah Winfrey featured the desk’s number in O, The Oprah Magazine as one of the top five phone numbers everyone should remember. A host from NBC’s Today show called the desk live on air, and ESPN correspondent Jesse Palmer phoned in for a trivia answer during an Auburn football game. To this day, after an Auburn win, calls still pour in from around the globe to ask for the score.

After so many years of service, it’s understandable the desk would suffer some general wear and tear. As the university faced the task of remodeling and updating the space, the question was raised: How can we best honor and remember Dean Foy and his contributions to Auburn?

The answer came in the form of two display cases—one featuring Dean Foy and the other honoring Justice Harold Melton, the student center’s namesake.

Andrea Conti-Elkins, part of the Student Center reservations team, said, “The renovations were prompted by a natural need for an update, ensuring the space continues to serve visitors in the best way possible. At the same time, we were refreshing the second floor, making it the perfect moment to reimagine the entire experience. Now, the space feels more open, allowing for a seamless flow and inviting exploration. The vision behind the design was to create a contemporary display that honors both history and nostalgia, blending the past with a modern aesthetic.”

Taylor Dyleski, assistant director of Student Affairs facilities and operations, added, “We had the opportunity to dig in and showcase him [Foy]. I wanted to make sure we could honor him and tell his story. That’s how the project came up—to create the backdrop for the Foy desk that featured Dean Foy alongside Justice Melton. It ties the whole thing together—these two leaders who wanted to do whatever they could to make the student experience better. And they did that.”

By showcasing Dean Foy’s history, the display introduces him as more than just a name and helps carry on his legacy. Prior to his time at Auburn, he was a decorated naval fighter pilot during World War II. Dean Foy served at Auburn from 1950 to 1978, and during that time became a beloved and familiar face on campus. He was closely involved with the founding of the Iron Bowl. The Iron Bowl trophy is now named in his honor: the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy. He lovingly started each meeting he led with a full “War Eagle!” cheer. Even after retirement, Dean Foy could be seen walking campus, encouraging students and volunteering with student organizations.

“He was an incredible administrator for so many decades on this campus. He was the constant,” said Dyleski. “Everything he did was sparked by a true love for Auburn and its students. He wanted to make things easy for them and give students the best chance possible to move forward in life. It’s why the desk has been so successful—it embodies his spirit.”

Now, in an age of cellphones and Google, it’s easy to dismiss the Foy Information Desk as a thing of the past. Were Dean Foy here today, he would encourage students to call—not just for the sake of Auburn tradition, but for the sake of human connection.

The James E. Foy Information Desk is just a quick dial away at 334-844-4244.