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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate William L. Perry on the
4occasion of his retirement as President of Eastern Illinois
5University in Charleston; and
 
6    WHEREAS, William Perry earned bachelor's degrees in both
7mathematics and history from Park College in Parkville,
8Missouri, where he also played basketball; he later chose to
9study at the University of Illinois, where he earned both his
10master's degree and Ph.D. in mathematics; and
 
11    WHEREAS, William Perry began his association with Texas A&M
12University in College Station, Texas in 1971 as an assistant
13professor of mathematics; he completed his 36-year tenure there
14as vice provost in June of 2007; and
 
15    WHEREAS, On July 1, 2007, William Perry left Texas and
16returned to the Midwest, where he was born and raised, to
17assume the role of Eastern Illinois University's 11th
18President; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Under William Perry's leadership, Eastern
20Illinois University has been named by U.S. News & World Report
21as the top-ranked public regional university in Illinois and

 

 

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1ranked number 4 in the 12-state Midwest Region; U.S. News &
2World Report also listed Eastern as the number 13 "Best College
3for Veterans" among Midwestern regional universities (public
4and private); Eastern Illinois University unveiled its
5Renewable Energy Center, one of the largest university biomass
6installations in the country; Eastern Illinois University
7continued to build its reputation for community service by
8being named 3 consecutive years to the President's Higher
9Education Community Service Honor Roll, with more than 80% of
10Eastern's students participating in volunteerism during their
11time in Charleston and collectively logging more than 140,000
12hours of service during the previous academic year alone; and
 
13    WHEREAS, William Perry always promoted Eastern Illinois
14University as an excellent educational opportunity, with small
15classes taught by the finest faculty and where 98% of alumni
16are satisfied with their Eastern Illinois University
17education; Eastern Illinois University conferred 22,000
18degrees during his tenure; and
 
19    WHEREAS, William Perry enthusiastically supported Eastern
20athletics and was often seen out in the community promoting
21Eastern Illinois University's "Real Panthers Wear Blue" spirit
22campaign or in the stands, wearing his blue wig and cheering
23alongside students; Eastern Illinois University's
24student-athletes excelled both academically and athletically,

 

 

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1winning the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup for
2overall athletic excellence 3 times; and
 
3    WHEREAS, William Perry enhanced the culture of
4philanthropy at Eastern Illinois University by expecting
5greatness from himself and the Eastern family, while remaining
6committed to access and affordability for students; Eastern
7Illinois University experienced 4 consecutive record-setting
8years in fundraising, with support that includes the largest
9and most successful capital campaign in Eastern Illinois
10University history, the establishment of approximately 300 new
11scholarships, and administrative visits to more than 640
12alumni; and
 
13    WHEREAS, William Perry was honored with the Distinguished
14Alumnus Award from Park College in 1999; and
 
15    WHEREAS, William Perry is a student of languages and enjoys
16reading, but also enjoys being active; hiking, snowshoeing, and
17shooting hoops remain some of his favorite pastimes; and
 
18    WHEREAS, William Perry and his wife, Linda, have a son,
19Greg; a daughter, Deborah; and one grandson, Grayson, with whom
20he anticipates spending much more of his time; and
 
21    WHEREAS, William Perry serves as a model of hard work,

 

 

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1integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
2Illinois; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5congratulate William L. Perry on the occasion of his retirement
6and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and
7be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to William Perry as a symbol of our esteem and
10respect.