Commencement May 22, 2005
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Laws
Conferred
on Richard Teerlink
Candidate presented by:
Dr. Robert Deahl,
Dean of the College of Professional Studies
Richard Teerlink, is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based and internationally renowned Harley-Davidson Motor Company. During his eighteen years with Harley-Davidson, he served as chief financial officer, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board. He is author of the book, More Than a Motorcycle: The Leadership Journey at Harley-Davidson, published by Harvard Business School Press.
Mr. Teerlink's professional career and personal life
are marked by a love for the accomplishments of others, a
deep and abiding humility in the face of success, toughness
in facing reality and transforming it into opportunity, and
a lifelong commitment to leadership excellence. His vision
of leadership places people at the center because, as Mr.
Teerlink frequently states, "People are the organization's
only sustainable competitive advantage."
Harley-Davidson hired Mr. Teerlink as vice president and
chief financial officer in 1981 when Harley's leadership
agreed to radically reshape the corporate culture. Over
the next decade Mr. Teerlink provided the vision, commitment,
and leadership that threw out standard management practices
of command and control and replaced it with a set of operating
principles and an organizational structure based on collaboration,
teamwork, and mutual respect.
During Mr. Teerlink's tenure Harley-Davidson rebuilt
its famous brand based on five core values: tell the
truth, be fair, keep your promises, respect the individual,
and encourage intellectual curiosity. As Peter Senge, founder
and chair of the Society for Organizational Learning, states,
"Because of Rich's commitment to build a company
where people are the center of the enterprise rather than
an 'input' or
an 'expense,' Harley's brand has
come to stand not just for 'made in America' but
for people connecting with one another and a paradoxical
balance of freedom and community."
Since retiring, Mr. Teerlink regularly speaks to corporations,
organizations and educational institutions around the world.
He supports numerous organizations committed to the development
of people. He is a champion and advocate for Marquette
University's
College of Professional Studies, responsible for the
unique educational partnership between Harley and the College
that allows employees to pursue their degree in Leadership
Studies at the corporate headquarters. This year marks
the tenth anniversary of this partnership.
Because of his commitment to leadership excellence
and to creating an ethos of service and lifelong learning
throughout our community and our world, Richard F. Teerlink
is commended for the Marquette University degree of Doctor
of Laws, honoris causa.
Quick Facts About Marquette
| Identity: | Catholic, Jesuit, private |
| Established: | 1881 |
| Location: | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Undergraduate: | 8,048 |
| Postgraduate: | 3,500 |
| Campus: | Urban, 80 acres |
| Athletics: | 14 NCAA Division I teams (Big East Conference) |
| Colors: | Blue and Gold |
