Mrs. Shelley Brophy

A native of Boston, Mass., Brophy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 1961 from the University of North Texas, and he added a Master of Arts degree in history from UNT in 1963. He obtained his Ph.D. in history from Vanderbilt University in 1974.
Brophy joined SFA in 1964 as an instructor in the Department of History. He rose through the ranks to professor, and he was named chairman of the department in 1977. He served in that position until 1984 when he became associate vice president for academic affairs. In 1986, Brophy was named dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Brophy served in three different interim positions during his tenure at SFA- interim vice president for academic affairs from 1985 to 1986, interim dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics from 1986 to 1987; and interim university president from 1991 to 1992.
He also served as the university’s Title VI coordinator since 1984, overseeing the progress or lack thereof by the university in complying with desegregation goals as set out by an agreement between the State of Texas and the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C.
During Brophy’s role as university president, he created the Academic Enrichment Living Center and the Academic Excellence Living Center, both designed to increase student retention and to showcase academic achievement. One center was designed for academically strong students with programs geared to the high-achieving student. The other center was designed primarily with support programs for students who needed a more structured learning environment with in-house tutors, quiet hours, study rooms and restricted visitation hours. Also during his presidency, he created the Multicultural Center, reflecting a lifelong interest in civil rights and equality issues.
When Brophy stepped down as interim president, he became adviser of the enrichment center on a part-time basis, while continuing to teach history part-time.
In January 2005, the university celebrated Brophy’s memory and contributions to the university by dedicating the William J. Brophy Academic Enrichment Center.
Brophy died September 21, 2001, at age 67. He was proceded in death by his parents Walter and Edna Smith Brophy, daughter Rebekah and wife Sue. He is survived by daughters Heidi Ford of Alexandria, Va., Holly Herb , of Williamston, Mich., and wife Shelley of Nacogdoches. His daughter Holly and wife Shelley are SFA graduates.