BANGOR, Maine — James F. Dicke II, chairman and chief executive officer of the Crown Equipment Corporation delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2017 at Husson University’s 118th annual commencement exercises at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The graduation ceremony was held on May 6.
“Our graduation ceremony not only honors graduates and their academic accomplishments, it allows us to show students just how far a Husson education can take you,” says Husson University President Robert A. Clark, Ph.D. “Having successful business leaders like James Dicke at our Commencement, helps students see that they can live lives filled with leadership, innovation, public service and artistic expression.”
Husson’s graduation ceremony recognized individuals who have completed their degrees from Husson University’s College of Business, College of Health and Education, College of Science and Humanities, New England School of Communications (NESCom), and the School of Pharmacy. At this year’s Commencement, Husson will award 809 degrees: 26 Associate of Science degrees, 510 Bachelor of Science degrees, 185 master’s degrees, and 88 doctoral degrees. The Cross Insurance Center is located at 515 Main Street in Bangor, Maine.
Dicke began his studies at the Culver Military Academy. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, he studied painting under Warner Williams, noted bas-relief artist and amateur astronomer. The Academy honored Dicke with distinguished service, man of the year, outstanding leadership, and honorary cum laude awards.
Four years later, he graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. During this period, Dicke also served as the assistant to Congressman William M. McCullough, the author of the 1964 civil rights and 1965 voting rights acts.
In 1980, he was named president of the Crown Corp., a family-owned firm founded by his father. Dicke continued in that position until 2002, when he was named to his current post as chairman and CEO of the organization. This family-owned business with more than 14,000 employees, located in the United States, Germany, Australia, China, and Singapore, operates a service and distribution network that exceeds 500 retail locations in more than 80 countries.
Crown Equipment Corp. designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. Crown entered the material handling equipment industry in 1956, and designs and manufactures 85 percent of its lift truck components, including key parts like motors, drive units, and electronic modules. The company’s goal is to provide the user with the safest, most efficient, and ergonomic lift truck possible to lower total cost of ownership and increase uptime. A strong and extensive global dealer network provides a wide variety of quality material handling equipment, storage solutions, and support services.
Dicke was appointed to the President’s Export Council from 2006 to 2008 as part of the George W. Bush administration. He also served as the international president of the Young Presidents’ Organization from 1992-93. He is the past chairman of commissioners of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and chair emeritus of the Dayton Art Institute in Ohio. In addition, Dicke is a member of the board of directors of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
An avid artist who enjoys both painting and photography, Dicke studied with Jack Earl, of Lakeview, Ohio, and Nelson Shanks, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His art is included in numerous permanent museum and private collections.
