Sale on Earth
Peter Sale on the disappearance of coral reefs • page 06
universityofwindsor’s studentnewspaper • nov.09.2011 • vol#84 • issue#11 • uwindsorlance.ca
UWindsor alumni Mr. Fiat offers more than exported minivans
Sergio Marchionne launches rebranded Windsor van in Italy and a scholarship at his alma mater stephen hargreaves NEWS EDITOR ______________________________
S
ergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC, and an alumnus of the University of Windsor “believes in Windsor.”
On Nov.1, Windsor’s Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association announced the Dr. Sergio Marchionne Scholarship Fund. Established with a $25,000 donation from Marchionne to CIBPA and an additional $25,000 in matching funds from the provincial government, the organization hopes the $50,000 endowment, likely to be broken into $2,000 scholarships, will be reserved for students pursuing studies in the automotive or engineering fields.
University development officer for individual giving, Fedela Falkner, said, “The details [of the scholarship] will likely be decided in consultation with Dr. Marchionne. More information will become available once the terms of reference and the cheque from CIBPA arrive.” The donations and scholarship funds are made up of the money raised at the various 50th anniversary events of the CIBPA this year. Marchionne, elected chairman of Chrysler in September, earned an MBA from the University of Windsor in 1980. He has been at the helm of post-bail out Chrysler since 2009, when Fiat purchased 53.5 per cent of the U.S. automaker. Less than two years later, following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Chrysler returned to profitability in the first quarter of 2011 and repaid all government loans by May.
Sergio Marchionne • photo dgtmedia-simone wikimedia commons
Some link Marchionne’s success to his unique personality and management style. Upon his appointment as Chrysler CEO, he moved his office to the same floor as the engineering department away from the top-floor penthouse where the CEO’s office was traditionally located. He frequently quotes artists, musicians and historical figures in his signature baritone, always in pullover sweaters worn on top of a button-down shirt and black slacks, rather than the formal suits of his predecessors and contemporaries.
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Marchionne even decided to take in lunch at the, less than high-end, Dominion House while in Windsor in January commenting; “same chairs, same carpet, same burgers.” continued on page 4 8
I remember Windsor as the best time of my life.
- Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chrysler
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