President Foy during a Commencement
 

President Foy presided over twenty one commencements during his tenure at Marist College.  He had a few quirks, based on the relative anonymity he experienced at commencements at major universities.  He insisted on personally signing each diploma, and personally shaking the hand of each graduate, arguing that this was the least the graduate deserved for his/her hard work and tuition.

By 1979 he was signing 400 diplomas.  The tradition of signing and personal handshake has been continued by President Dennis Murray, even though it now involves 1100 graduates!

Henrietta Smith, Professor of Psychology at Vassar College and long time Trustee at Marist seated in background.  She was instrumental in explaining the peculiarities of academic life to the many trustees who came from the business world.