Edward G. Foree, BSCE 1964
Inducted in 2023
Edward G. Foree’s distinguished career included 12 years as an engineering professor with a prolific research group and 24 years leading a successful environmental consulting firm.
A Henry County native, Foree enrolled at the University of Kentucky after graduating from Henry County High School as class valedictorian. After graduating from UK in 1964, Foree earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University, in civil engineering with an emphasis on environmental engineering.
Foree returned to UK in 1968 as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. He received a promotion to associate professor and continued to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in water quality through 1980. Foree also served as director of the water quality engineering laboratories, where he assumed responsibility for the research and teaching laboratories. During his tenure, Foree supervised 32 master’s students and 11 Ph.D. students.
In 1977, he and John Tapp formed Commonwealth Technology, Inc., an environmental consulting firm. During this time, Foree not only developed and implemented water quality standards for all streams in Kentucky, but he also developed a stream reaeration model that is now used throughout the United States. Three years later, Foree left UK to devote all of his efforts to his company, which became highly successful. In 1996, Tapp sold his interest in Commonwealth Technology to Foree, who continued to run the company as president until 2001, when he sold the company to Tetra Tech. Foree continued to work for Tetra Tech until June 2004, when he retired.
Foree is a licensed professional engineer in seven states: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. He is a diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, firm representative of the American Consulting Engineers Council, fellow and life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, life member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, member of the board of trustees for the Water Environment Federation and a member of the American Water Works Association. Foree has authored or co-authored approximately 200 technical papers and reports primarily concerned with the analytical and engineering aspects of water quality control.
A longtime member of Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, Foree has served as an elder, deacon and Sunday School teacher. He has served terms as chairman of the general board and the board of elders.
Foree lives in New Castle, Kentucky. His wife, Jo Ellen, passed away in 2003. Foree has two adult children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.