Eastern President William Perry jokes about his lack of free time to enjoy his new hometown.

“Free time – I haven’t had any of that in a while,” Perry said.

That may be because of his new job as president or his move from Texas to Charleston. Perry has found much to enjoy in Charleston despite his lack of free time.

As a self-proclaimed fan of the arts, he likes the concerts in the park and community theatre.

Perry said he likes that everything is so close together in Charleston. His favorite thing about the town is how friendly the people are.

Although his wife just arrived on Monday from Texas, Perry said she already remarked how friendly Charleston is.

Perry’s secretary, Judy Gorrell, sees how much he enjoys people by the way he makes time for anyone.

Gorrell describes him as a “gentle giant” because he is so easy to talk to. She also agrees with Perry that he works from morning to night.

“He absolutely hit the road running,” she said.

Perry has attended many Charleston events already from Red, White and Blue Days to the last community band concert, Gorrell said. She said Perry was able to get involved so soon because he read so much about Eastern before he arrived here.

“We all know Dr. Perry has done his homework,” Gorrell said.

With little free time, Perry said most of what he has done around town revolves around food. He enjoys the market in the square and also likes the different restaurants where he can eat out.

Perry said he likes What’s Cooking, AJ’s, and even Taco Bell.

Perry can relate to students about eating in college towns because he has lived in college towns the majority of his life.

Perry went to graduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for four years and went on to work at Texas A&M University for 39 years before coming here.

“I like college towns,” Perry said, because of the energy, vitality and rhythm of life the students bring. He also admires the interaction of the college and community.

U of I and Texas A&M are both much larger than Eastern, but Perry said he is attracted to the smaller campus because he is more available to help students with an issue.

Perry said he is an avid sports fan, and stresses the importance of university sports. He said they help build school spirit, rally students together and maintain alumni relations.

Although the school is smaller, Perry believes the competition is just as fierce as the other schools he has been to.

Parks, festivals and Bagelfest in Mattoon are also some of the activities Perry said he has been able to enjoy while living in the Charleston area.

On the side, Perry likes to hike, cook and play tennis. Perry added he and his wife enjoy going to Colorado when they have time for a vacation.

Perry said he likes it here in Charleston.

“They’ve had everything I’ve needed so far.”

Eastern’s President William Perry sits in the stands of O’Brien Stadium. Perry believes the university’s sports are important in building school spirit and rallying the school together.

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