2006 Honorary Degree
Keith E. Busse
Doctor Of Engineering
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He is the president and chief executive officer of Steel Dynamics Inc. in Butler, Ind., and has made a significant impact on Northeast Indiana through his leadership and entrepreneurial talents to support academia.
Busse was born and raised in Fort Wayne and educated in Northeast Indiana, earning his bachelor of science degree in 1963 from International Business College, a bachelor of arts degree in 1973 from St. Francis College and a master's of business administration degree in 1978 from Indiana University on IPFW’s campus.
He was employed for 21 years as a general manager and vice president of Nucor Corporation in Crawfordsville, Ind., where he revolutionized the American steel industry, utilizing a newly developed European electric arc technology. That successful experience was depicted in a full-length book, "American Steel," written by a Wall Street Journal reporter who was impressed with the magnitude of the undertaking and the success with which Busse acquitted himself and Nucor. As a result, Nucor became a leader in steelmaking and helped revive what had become an obsolete, inefficient and money-losing American industry.
Busse’s entrepreneurial instincts led him, along with several other members of Nucor, to depart the company in 1993 to form their own steelmaking company, Steel Dynamics, which has now grown to become the world’s sixth largest steelmaker with operating divisions in Butler, Columbia City and Pittsboro, Ind., providing approximately 1,700 highly paid jobs in this state.
He has won numerous honors and awards, including Steel Maker of the Year by the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers in 2005.
His community service includes serving on the Board of Trustees for Fort Wayne Community Foundation, Tri-State College and University of St. Francis. He is also a member of the Royal Dons Executive Board for IPFW Athletics, chairman of the Cadillac Open, National Kidney Foundation and a board member of Northeast Indiana Corporate Council and Junior Achievement.