Edward T. Foote II, American educator, Died at 78

  Educator

Edward Thaddeus “Tad” Foote II was born on December 15, 1937, and died on February 15, 2016.

He served as the fourth president of the University of Miami from 1981 through 2001.

Edward served as dean of the law school at Washington University in St. Louis from 1973 to 1980.

Mr. Foote was 43 yrs of age when he succeeded Henry King Stanford, as the fourth University of Miami president, in March 1981.

Over the years in his career his undergraduate admissions and academic standards were raised, top faculty recruited, and major private and government funding secured for research and permanent facilities.

The rise in the University’s local, national and international profile paralleled the rise of Miami as the so-called “Capital of the Americas.”

His contribution 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.

Edward T. Foote II shaved undergraduate enrollment by 2,500 to 8,500, raising the standards of incoming students, in 1982.

At the start of his freshmen in fall 2000 had an average SAT score of 1200, about 100 points higher than the class of 1981.

Now, still Miami’s mean SAT score is 1295.

Edward also increased advocate research conducted by university professors and scientists, with $193.9 million being spent on research in 2000, up from $58.1 million, in 1981.

Eddie 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.

Supporting him, Miami won four national championships in football and three College World Series titles.

Edward T. Foote II also reinstated the men’s basketball program.

Edward T. Foote II passed away at 78 yrs old.