Perkins dies at 60 due to surgical complications
Foundation set up to collect instruments, continue professor’s love of music

By Jillanne Johnson
Staff Reporter

Funeral services were held Monday for Linda J. Perkins, who was an Intensive English Program faculty member since January 2000.

Perkins, 60, died Wednesday in Fort Worth due to complications during a surgical operation, according to an e-mail from the Perkins family.

Cathy Hutchison, a professor in the Intensive English Program, said Perkins was always excited to teach, especially at TCU.

Hutchison said Perkins went home to celebrate with her daughter, who lived next door to Perkins, after she was hired at TCU.

“When she found out she got hired, she and her daughter jumped for joy in their front yards,” Hutchison said.

Carol Orloff, the Intensive English Program administrative assistant, said Perkins’ enthusiasm for her job rubbed off on her. Orloff said she could always tell Perkins cared highly for her students.

“She was always accessible, always there to give individual attention,” Orloff said.

The Intensive English Program teaches English to students who have not yet acquired a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Hutchison said Perkins especially enjoyed helping students prepare for classes in the M.J. Neeley School of Business.

“We have a lot of students who want to go to the Neeley School,” Hutchison said. “This was her niche. About two weeks ago, she was talking about going through the MBA program for her own benefit and the benefit of her students.”

A former Intensive English Program teacher is taking over Perkins’ classes.

Perkins’ real love was music, Hutchison said. She played in several area orchestras, using the viola her father built for her.

In honor of her love for music, the Linda Perkins Foundation has been set up to help those in need to gain access to musical instruments. Information about the foundation can be obtained by e-mailing (info@lpfoundation.org).

Jillanne Johnson
j.johnson@student.tcu.edu