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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.