BY COOPER HAYES
Mariemont claims to produce “Leaders of tomorrow.” Brigadier General Jeffrey W. Foley is a modern leader and Mariemont graduate.
As a member of the Mariemont class of 1974, General Foley got to experience the then–new pod style layout at Mariemont before the walls were built.
“It was great. If you got bored with what your teacher was saying, you could just turn your chair and listen to the teacher in the room next to you,” said Foley.
After graduating high school Foley went on to the military academy at West Point, graduating and serving for 32 years, retiring at the rank of brigadier general. Foley’s military experiences allowed him to gain expertise in the areas of operations management, communications and IT systems, training and education, and leader development.
Foley now works to help impart his wisdom and leadership talents through his lectures and books. His leadership started at an early age.
During a presentation to Mariemont’s Leadership and Student Councils in C-20 on September 27, Foley defined leadership: “Every time you attempt to influence thinking, development, or action of another human you engage in leadership.”
This definition is a result of Foley’s unique experiences, some of which began at Mariemont.
“I’ve sewed a lot of things in my life,” said Foley, who used sewing as a metaphor for mending issues in life. He told the assembled group that he took Home Economics in high school, and learned to sew. He literally used that skill when he sewing his shirts and military uniforms. Foley worked hard during his time as a student.
“Excellence mattered in everything we did,” said Foley when discussing high school sports. He didn’t initially make play as much as he was expecting on the basketball team his junior year. According to Foley, this disappointment drove him to work harder and instilled ambition and a sense of perseverance.
“The reason you have eyes in the front of your head is to look forward,” Foley emphasized not dwelling on mistakes but instead building off them. He did not dwell on his high school experience while it happened, he said
“You don’t value it till its gone”