Lechleiter Earns Highest IU Presidential Honor

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie has awarded retired Eli Lilly and Co. Chief Executive Officer John Lechleiter the highest honor he can bestow. McRobbie says the President’s Medal for Excellence is in honor of Lechleiter’s leadership and "unswerving commitment to improving health." McRobbie made the presentation this week at the Lilly House, which was built in 1931 for Eli and Ruth Austin Lilly. The house now belongs to Indiana University and is used as the Indianapolis residence of the president. The President’s Medal for Excellence is just the latest honor Lechleiter has received from the school. IU awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2013 and the August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year Award in 2014. He also earned the 2015 International Citizen of the Year Award from the International Center of Indianapolis. Lechleiter joined Lilly in 1979, ultimately working his way to the company’s top spot. He announced his retirement late last year. Longtime executive Dave Ricks has succeeded Lechleiter as CEO.