Eastern is turning a new leaf as it prepares to inaugurate Dr. William L. Perry as Eastern’s 10th sitting president.

Perry, the former vice provost and mathematics professor at Texas A&M, took office as Eastern’s president July 1, and is set to be inaugurated on Nov. 9.

As part of the inauguration events, Perry will be greeting the community today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Neal Welcome Center, 860 W. Lincoln Ave.

“It is a very exciting time for student, faculty and staff,” said Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs.

The president has been successfully building and strengthening relationships on campus, in Charleston and in the region, Nadler said.

Being a fresh face on campus, Perry’s effort began by learning about Eastern and meeting members of the community.

Nadler’s first impression of Perry has been a lasting one.

“The President is comfortable with any individual he encounters; everyone is comfortable with him as well,” Nadler said. “President Perry has a good sense of humor. He has the ability to laugh with others and at himself.”

In his first four months as president, Perry has covered a great deal of ground by welcoming the challenges of his job.

“He has an ambitious plan to help Eastern become a first choice, best of class university,” said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations. “He has quickly become a member of the Eastern family.”

Along with his duties as president, Perry has been working on legislative, alumni and donor relations.

“Listening, remembering, and the ability to ask very insightful questions are very strong characteristics of President Perry,” Nadler said.

President Perry has spent a lot of time during his first four months talking with constituencies both internally and externally about the university, Nilsen said.

All area residents are invited to attend today’s presidential greeting.

File Photo. President Dr. William Perry walks with former president Lou Hencken last spring.

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