President Bill Perry finally got all the bells and whistles of an academic welcoming.

On Friday, his inauguration took place in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Perry assumed the presidency at Eastern on July 1, but was formally honored by the university, past presidents, legislators, dignitaries and special guests at the inauguration ceremony with full academic regalia and lots of applause.

“I stand humbled by the opportunity to serve as president of a university with a proud past and a bright future,” Perry said. “Today, we formally observe a beginning in the life of Eastern Illinois University.”

Robert Webb, chair of the Board of Trustees, did his best to place the university’s medallion over the head of the 6-foot-6-inch Perry as the crowd laughed and applauded.

“He is taking presidential visibility to a whole new level,” Webb joked to the crowd.

Perry was named Eastern’s 10th president last April after the announcement of President Lou Hencken’s plans to retire July 30.

Perry left his position as vice provost at Texas A & M University to return to the Midwest where he was raised. He is originally from Missouri, and he received his Master of Arts and doctorate of philosophy degrees in mathematics from the University of Illinois.

Judy Erwin, executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, expressed her happiness at having Perry back in Illinois.

“Welcome back to the Midwest, Dr. Perry,” Erwin said. “And what better place to lay out that welcome mat than Eastern Illinois University.”

She applauded Perry’s choice of coming to Eastern.

“Your students have been and will continue to make great, significant contributions to the state economy and the regional economy in Central Illinois,” Erwin said.

State legislators Sen. Dale Righter, Rep. Chapin Rose and Rep. Bob Flider also attended the ceremony in academic regalia to honor Perry.

“The most important tradition that we can carry on here today is the tradition of outstanding leadership,” Righter said. “I think Dr. Perry has made it very clear very early on that everything that happens here at Eastern is toward producing a better graduate and a better citizen.”

Rose reminded the audience that it is the university’s leadership that helps direct the students and their future decisions.

“They come here in search of a path to independence and bright futures,” Rose said. “The path before them is a tremendous one.”

Sitting near the legislators on the stage were four past presidents of the university, who dusted off their caps and gowns for the ceremony.

Daniel Marvin, Eastern’s fifth president, hadn’t worn his regalia for nearly 25 years since leaving Eastern in 1983, he said.

“It’s a wonderful occasion for the university,” Marvin said. “I think (Perry is) just what the university needed. I don’t see how they could have made a better choice.”

Student body president Cole Rogers welcomed Perry and told the crowd how accessible the new president has been to the students so far.

“As a student here, you don’t expect to have very much interaction with the president of the university,” Rogers said. “President Perry has made it absolutely clear that he is not going to be an average president, and he is not going to let Eastern be an average university.”

Perry said returning to his office for work Monday might feel a little different because of the compliments and encouragement he received at the inauguration.

“It’ll feel a little different, and part of that’s because of what people said in the ceremony,” Perry said. “I’m inspired by the things people said and because I had family and friends come to support me.”

The Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Robert Webb congratulates President Bill Perry at the Inauguration of President Perry in the Grand Ballroom Friday evening. Robbie Wroblewski/The Daily Eastern News

(more…)