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Regents select 35-year veteran William J. Campion as the next Eastern State College president
(Press Release)
Office of Public Information
Hank Mooney

A former college president with more than 35 years in higher education was extended an opportunity to become the 18th president of Eastern Oklahoma State College according to Eastern Board of Regents Chairperson Georgia Tate.

Tate said a majority of the board voted to extend the invitation to Dr. William J. Campion from Ocala, FL, following a 55 minute executive session to discuss the candidates during their regularly scheduled board meeting Sept. 20.

Campion has accepted the position and plans to be on campus by Oct. 21.

Campion’s experience as president and chief executive officer includes three multi-campus community colleges for more than twenty years.

His most recent college presidency began in 1998 as chief executive officer of El Paso, TX, Community College following a professorship at Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX, where he taught community college and higher education classes and advised doctoral students.

He served as president of Central Florida Community College, Ocala, FL, from March 1987 until March 1996 and at Trinity Valley Community College, Athens, TX, from September 1978 until March 1987.

Campion began his teaching career at El Paso Public Schools in September 1963 after receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Texas Western College in June of 1963 as a physical education teacher and coach. He later earned his Master of Arts with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1968 and his Doctor of Education with community college leadership emphasis from Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX.

He served as assistant dean and dean of students, head basketball coach, director of admissions and student recruitment, director of student financial aid at Schreiner College, Kerrville, TX, from 1965 until 1975; professor of community college education at East Texas State University, Commerce, TX, from 1976 until 1980; dean of college and student services and supervised all student services, counseling, admissions, records financial aid, food services, security health services, transportation and developmental education at Wharton County Junior College, Warton, TX, from August 1977 until August 1978.