Anita Perry Visits Bob Jones University

A very poised Anita Perry mingled with students, faculty and staff at Bob Jones University on Friday.

Perry, the wife of presidential hopeful Texas Gov. Rick Perry (who has been dropping in South Carolina polls in recent weeks), didn't spend time speaking to students on her husband's behalf, while they dined in the campus' Family Commons Room.

Instead, she talked with the nursing students and faculty about their classes, the nursing program and was delighted to hear the school had a 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX exams, a certification exam given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Perry, who holds both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in nursing, encouraged the students in their studies and for their dedication to the field of health care.

Cynthia McGuire, chair of the Nursing Division, got to spend several minutes chatting with Mrs. Perry about the challenges in nursing.

"Our greatest challenge is in finding qualified faculty members who are certified to teach, teaching is very hard and they have to be dedicated," McGuire said.

McGuire also talked about areas of nursing that she knew were near and dear to Mrs. Perry such as her work in pediatrics. McGuire said Mrs. Perry encouraged students to go for their degrees to pursue their master's degrees, as well.

"As a conservative Christian, there is a need to connect with us, to put a name with a face, to show that she cares about these students as individuals and also as nurses," McGuire said. "She is interested in supporting nursing and higher education. These students were able to see her on a wider scale, to see her personally."

As Mrs. Perry stopped at each table to visit with students, shaking hands and asking questions about their hometowns.

Elizabeth Clemons skipped her noon class hoping to have an opportunity to speak with Texas' First Lady.

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see someone who has contributed to the field of nursing and who is also married to the governor of Texas," Clemons said.

Native Texan Tyler Perry, who said he's not related to the Perrys, was invited to join the group of students who was able to meet Mrs. Perry because he was from her home state.

"It's a pretty cool thing to meet a presidential candidate's wife and possible future first lady," Perry said. "Gov. Perry to me is one of the top three."

The Victoria, Texas, native said he had to admit that being in school it is hard to keep up with all that was going on in the presidential.

"I'm 90 percent in favor of Mr. Perry," Perry said.

Mrs. Perry, during one-on-one interviews with media, said that she was very proud of her husband and his decision to run for president. 

"It is hard work to run for president of the United States," Mrs. Perry said. "But this country needs a leader."

Mrs. Perry said that her husband wants to get people back to work and the country out of debt.

When asked about her visit to campus today, she responded, "Bob Jones University is a treasure trove."

After visiting with students, Mrs. Perry toured the university's museum with Erin Rodman Jones, the director of the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery and also the wife of the school's president Stephen Jones.