MILWAUKEE — Diane Foley, mother of late conflict war journalist and Marquette alum Jim Foley, paid a visit to the university over the weekend.

It’s Mission Week at Marquette University, commemorating a decade since Jim Foley’s passing and the inception of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, a cause that Diane Foley dedicated her life to in honor of her son and his impactful legacy.

What You Need To Know

  • Diane Foley, mother of late conflict war journalist and Marquette alum Jim Foley, paid a visit to Marquette University

  • Diane spoke to students before the screening of "Jim: The James Foley Story,” a documentary on the life of her son Jim, a 1996 Marquette graduate who later became an American war correspondent

  • Jim Foley reported in Afghanistan, Libya and Syria before his tragic death at the hands of an ISIS militant in 2014

  • Diane established the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to advocate for the freedom of innocent Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad
  • Diane’s upcoming book, “American Mother,” recounts her journey and confrontation with her son’s killer

Diane Foley spoke to students before the screening of “Jim: The James Foley Story,” a documentary on the life of her son Jim, a 1996 Marquette graduate who later became an American war correspondent.

“Jim was Jim,” said Diane Foley. “He always had a joy about him. He loved to laugh. I think ultimately, caring and listening to one another can win anyone over and that was one of Jim’s gifts.”

She said Jim Foley’s compassionate nature led him to share people’s stories and cover conflicts in places like Afghanistan, Libya and Syria before his tragic death at the hands of an ISIS militant in 2014.

“After Jim died, his spirit just changed me,” she said. “He was such a good person. Not perfect. Not a saint. Lots of fun and often late. I mean, he wasn’t perfect, but he was so good-hearted.”

Motivated by her son’s memory, Diane Foley established the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to advocate for the freedom of innocent Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

“For him to be killed before he was even 40, I just knew as Americans we could do better to bring innocent people home,” said Diane Foley.

Her presence at Marquette’s Mission Week, themed “Act with Faith,” highlighted the enduring impact of Jim Foley’s life and work.

“It’s kind of like when bad things happen, that’s when a lot of the good people stand up,” Diane Foley said.

Many aspiring journalists, like TJ Dysart, a junior at Marquette University and a Foley Fellow, find inspiration in Jim’s story.

“I think he’s inspiring in a sense that I’m able to really recognize what I’m doing this for, what I’m studying journalism for, and why I want to go into this field,” said Dysart.

A big part of the foundation’s work is teaching safety in journalism and raising awareness of war reporting.

“If I am lucky enough to get to that point in a career where I get to go places, I won’t say no to going anywhere,” said Dysart. “I could definitely see myself doing something similar to Jim, so I just think being able to kind of get a grasp of journalism safety early on even before I enter the industry, I think is valuable for me.”

Diane Foley’s upcoming book, “American Mother,” recounts her journey and confrontation with her son’s killer. It’s a story not only about Jim’s moral courage, but the moral courage she faces.

“I wanted in many ways to tell the story of Jim’s murder, and how it really challenged a lot of people to step up and change things for good,” Diane Foley said.

Jim Foley’s spirit lives on, and his mother said she will continue to advocate for the freedom of journalists held captive.

“Over one hundred innocent Americans have been freed since Jim died, so that’s his legacy,” said Diane Foley.

It’s something she knows her son would smile about.

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