News Local/State

EIU’s President To Retire In 2015

By the Associated Press, With Additional Reporting from Illinois Public Media
 

The president of Eastern Illinois University says he'll retire in 2015, stepping down from the post when his contract expires next June.  Bill Perry made his announcement Thursday.

The 68-year-old joined the Charleston university in 2007 after spending more than 30 years working at Texas A&M University, where he had served since 1971 in professional and administrative roles.
 
Perry says in a statement that he'll continue working to "forge opportunities and meet our challenges'' while trustees search for a successor.

EIU Board Chairman Joe Dively said that the board will reluctantly accept Perry’s decision.

“We do appreciate the notice Dr. Perry has given,” he said, “so that we have the time to find the right individual as EIU’s eleventh president.”

School officials say they plan to conduct a national search to find a replacement for Perry, which they expect will begin this summer.  A search committee will be discussed at the next EIU Board of Trustees meeting in April.
 
Eastern Illinois has about 10,000 students.