Robert H. Foglesong
Encyclopedia
General Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong (USAF
, Ret.) (born July 13, 1945) formerly of Williamson, West Virginia
is a former President of Mississippi State University. He served in the United States Air Force from April 1972 until retirement as general in February 2006. He currently sits on the board of directors of several corporations and is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.
in Strategic Intelligence, and is a Distinguished Alumnus of West Virginia University. He was selected by the West Virginia Education Alliance as a Graduate of Distinction, and was selected by the West Virginia Executive Magazine as the Patriot of the Year for 2005.
5 November 2001, retiring 1 February 2006 from active duty after 33 years of service. His last post was as Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and of Allied Air Component Command Ramstein.http://i38.tinypic.com/2zg8121.jpg. General Foglesong established multiple "Combat" programs across the command including “Combat Proud” which allocated taxpayer dollars to base beautification efforts; much to the dismay of many under his command. Shortly after his retirement this and the other "Combat" programs were discontinued.
, a major coal company.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Ret.) (born July 13, 1945) formerly of Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
is a former President of Mississippi State University. He served in the United States Air Force from April 1972 until retirement as general in February 2006. He currently sits on the board of directors of several corporations and is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.
Education
Foglesong earned the degrees BSc, MSc and PhD at West Virginia University in chemical engineering in 1968, 1969 and 1971 respectively. He holds an honorary DoctorateHonorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
in Strategic Intelligence, and is a Distinguished Alumnus of West Virginia University. He was selected by the West Virginia Education Alliance as a Graduate of Distinction, and was selected by the West Virginia Executive Magazine as the Patriot of the Year for 2005.
Air Force Career
Foglesong attained the rank of four-star general in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
5 November 2001, retiring 1 February 2006 from active duty after 33 years of service. His last post was as Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and of Allied Air Component Command Ramstein.http://i38.tinypic.com/2zg8121.jpg. General Foglesong established multiple "Combat" programs across the command including “Combat Proud” which allocated taxpayer dollars to base beautification efforts; much to the dismay of many under his command. Shortly after his retirement this and the other "Combat" programs were discontinued.
Post retirement
Foglesong was President of Mississippi State University from 2006 to 31 March 2008. He resigned amongst widespread criticism from MSU students and faculty. He also faced backlash from student groups on social networking sites such as Facebook for purportedly ordering the removal of donated daffodils, which had been on the campus for decades. He allegedly also ordered the "Crepe Murders" where all all crepe myrtle plants on campus were cut to a low minimum size and several died as a result. He heads a scholarship program in West Virginia called the Appalachian "Leadership" and Educational Foundation, which he founded in 2006. He helped to establish the Appalachian "Leadership" Honors Program. in 2006. Since February 21, 2006, he has been a director of Massey EnergyMassey Energy
Massey Energy Company was a coal extractor in the United States with substantial operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. By revenue, it was the fourth largest producer of coal in the United States and the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia...
, a major coal company.