On May 22, St. Anthony’s welcomed Eastern Illinois University (EIU) President William L. Perry. Perry began serving EIU as president in July 2007, following 36 years of service to higher education in Texas.

William Perry, EIU President (left), speaks with hospital employees during the welcome reception held in his honor May 22. From left to right in the foreground is Kelly Sager, Home Care manager, Deb Murbarger, Emergency Services supervisor, and Kathy Grobengieser, Emergency Services manager.

Perry received a tour of various hospital department by Chuck Schuette, Director of Patient Care, and Dave Storm, Director of Business Support. Following his tour, St. Anthony’s held a welcome reception for Perry in the Auditorium. A number of employees and Medical Staff stopped by the reception to meet Perry.

St. Anthony’s has a strong connection to Eastern Illinois University through their R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program. Hospital employees who are R.N.’s can use tuition assistance to obtain their BSN. In addition, the hospital provides clinical training space for students in their speech therapy and dietitics programs.

Perry, who was born and raised in the Midwest, received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In his subsequent career at Texas A&M University, he proceeded through the tenured faculty ranks in mathematics, and then served in increasingly responsible administrative roles involving multiple areas of budget, personnel and planning for the university, academic affairs and facilities. While at Texas A&M, he received recognition for his service in teaching and in administration.

As an undergraduate, Perry attended Park College in Parkville, Missouri, where he majored in mathematics and history, and played basketball. In 1999, he received the Park’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Perry’s past activities in community service include United Way, Boys Club, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley and Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center.

Bill and his wife, Linda, reside in Charleston.