Motorcycle Mogul Recognized by SEAS Alumni

In the stately atmosphere of the Low Memorial Library Rotunda, several prominent speakers celebrated the accomplishments of Jeffrey Bleustein, SEAS '62 and '65, chairman/CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc., at the 2002 Egleston Medal Awards Dinner.
Bleustein received the Egleston Medal on behalf of the Columbia Engineering School Alumni Association for his accomplishments as an engineer, manager, and businessman.
After accepting the award, Bleustein delivered a short speech about his years at Columbia and the inspiration behind many of his ideals as an engineer.
He said the three most important lessons he learned from his professors at Columbia were "humility, elegance of simplicity, and leadership."
Bleustein recounted how his former professor Mario Salvadori, who was known as "D2" because of his two doctoral degrees, taught him the concept of humility.
Bleustein also noted as a major influence another professor, 1971 Egleston Medalist Raymond Mindlin. Mindlin gave him the ability to see the "elegance in nature."
"I too search for simple elegant solutions in the midst of complexity," Bleustein said.
Mindlin also instilled leadership into the budding engineer, advising him to pursue his own interests and intellectual curiosities. This idea kept Harley-Davidson at the forefront of innovation.
"As incongruous as it first appeared, Columbia prepared me for a world of deep rumblings, colorful tattoos, and Wall Street," Bleustein said to conclude his speech.
Zvi Galil, dean of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, spoke at the awards presentation, mentioning some of the history behind the engineering school.
Galil noted that the engineering school had produced several Nobel laureates, an Emmy winner, and even a Pulitzer Prize recipient.
He went on to emphasize the collaboration of the engineering school with different schools across campus and different fields. "In research, we are interested in archaeology and art history," Galil said, citing the promise of cross-disciplinary study.
"First and foremost it's thanks to the faculty," Galil said of the success of the engineering program. He said that they not only contribute to remarkable research but also welcome new students and encourage new faces to join the Columbia family.
Galil ended his address on an optimistic note, asking the alumni to continue supporting the engineering school to maintain its high standards of research and education and to keep its morale high.
President Lee Bollinger followed Galil's address with praise for the engineering school and its crucial place in the University.
Regarding the award, he said, "It is a great, great honor for us to do this." President Bollinger spoke additionally about the lifelong connection Columbia graduates feel to their alma mater.
Ronald Mangione, dinner chair, concluded the awards ceremony. Impressed with the high turnout of alumni, faculty, and students, he said that the Egleston Awards successfully accomplished CESAA's three-fold goal of recognizing excellence in engineering, bringing alumni together, and providing for the engineering school's scholarship fund.
"I think what Jeffrey Bleustein had to say about Columbia was right on target," said dinner guest Gregory Basso, EN '68. Basso added that Columbia engineers are people "who think outside of the engineering box."