News Releases

Ford to release documentary about CEO Alan Mulally's groundbreaking visit to KU

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

BY FELONIZ LOVATO-WINSTON

When Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally contacted the School of Engineering on April 9, 2009 about planning a visit with Engineering students on April 29, 2009, he had some unusual requests: he didn't want to see questions ahead of time, and he had no restrictions on subject matter. Oh - and the visit would be filmed for an upcoming documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Koppel.

KU School of Engineering Communications Coordinator Ian Cahir couldn't have been more excited. The visit was timely - it fell on the day after Chrysler and GM received bailout money from the federal government, and Cahir knew that Mulally would not back down from tough questions about the future of the car industry. Mulally didn't disappoint - Cahir was impressed by his ability to "stay on message," even when Engineering students asked him difficult questions about the future of the automobile industry.

Cahir knew that he wanted to include School of Business students on this important event because "Engineering and Business students benefit from each other's questions and knowledge." In the whirlwind 20 days preceding the event, in the midst of communicating with Ford, acquiring waivers for the film crew and arranging for security, Cahir made sure that a block of seats would be reserved for School of Business students.

This wasn't the first time Mulally communicated directly with both Business and Engineering students. In 2007, he delivered the Anderson Chandler Lecture, which was sponsored by the KU School of Business and the Engineering Distinguished Lectureship, sponsored by the School of Engineering.

Briana Arensberg, a School of Business student who also happens to work at the School of Engineering as the dean's student assistant, was impressed by the whole thing "This was such a great opportunity. Not only did I meet one of the world's top business leaders, but because I work in the dean's office at the School of Engineering, I was able to see the full force of the Ford PR and marketing team in action. It was an amazing learning experience on so many levels. Also, I was able to witness an exemplary form of leadership: someone who is confident; someone who is always thinking ahead, but also someone who is capable of rallying people toward a greater vision. We should all aspire to be as talented. KU is blessed to have such a strong connection to someone of his caliber so willing to give back to the students."

Cahir said that every student he spoke to about Mulally's visit learned something important from it. It was, in his words, "One of the best professional experiences I've ever had."

Alan Mulally graduated from the KU School of Engineering in 1968.

Footage from the documentary can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaTN0ry04Qs