About Emory » Emory's 175th Anniversary » 175 of Everything » 175 Makers of History

175 Makers of History: James W. Dooley

James W. Dooley 1899C 2002B 02T 03G 05N 06L 07PH 10G
Spirit of Emory; Sui Generis

James W. Dooley, a skeleton and the University's unofficial mascot, made his first appearances at Emory in 1899 and 1909 by writing letters to the student publication the Emory Phoenix from his perch in a science lab.

Taking his first name and middle initial from the current university president, Dooley is represented on campus by a student -- whose identity is kept secret -- dressed as a skeleton with a black cape, a black top hat, and white gloves.

In his role as the Spirit of Emory, Dooley rises to rule campus a few times each year, notably for the annual Town Hall Meeting in the fall and Dooley's Week every spring.