A farewell reception for Bill Schnackel, director of university housing and dining services, was held Friday in Pemberton Dining Hall honoring him for all the hard work and success.

“I am proud of his accomplishments and I’m glad he has this opportunity to pursue (his new position),” said Jenny Schnackel, the daughter of Bill Schnackel.

Schnackel has accepted a new position at Purdue University as the director of administration in the department of university residences. For the past five and a half years he has been in charge of overseeing the dining services program, budgeting, policy, and room and board.

“We have done a great thing the past five and a half years that wouldn’t have been possible without faculty and staff and I hope they are as proud of the accomplishments as I am,” he said.

Jody Horn, director of Panther Dining, said Schnackel is an excellent person in the way he manages: he’s smart and knows a lot to do with housing, such as residents’ life, dining, technology, facilities and buildings.

“Bill is courteous and gracious and fair and has a lot of respect because he truly listens and is familiar with all aspects; so he doesn’t go into a situation not knowing something,” she said.

Sheila Epperson, assistant director of Taylor Panther Dining, said Schnackel has been a great support of Panther Dining and their department.

“I think he’s brought us a long way toward reaching our goals,” she said.

Glenn Greer, assistant director of Carman dining said that for the short period of time he’s been employed at Eastern he believes Schnackel has done a great job with housing and dining service.

“Bill came from a private sector into the university and I think he’s built up a nice foundation in housing and dining; and I wish him the best of luck at Purdue University, he said.

Lou Hencken, Vice President of Student Affairs, presented Schnackel with a recognition plaque for the opening of the ceremony.

“We are going to miss Bill. He really did a lot of good things, and people who had been here prior to his arrival would be impressed with the changes he’s made,” Hencken said. “Hopefully we get someone equally as good that will continue to make the positive changes in university housing; so it’s going to be hard to replace him.”

Schnackel says Eastern was a great residential institution.

“For me, EIU was a nice blend of a nice size institution with large campus benefits that made it feel like a small campus,” he said.

Schnackel will officially leave Eastern on Wednesday and will start his new position at Purdue University on Thursday.