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named
Rasmussen one of the toughest CEOs in the US, during his tenure at Beatrice Foods, Rasmussen used one of Terkel's interviews as a platform from which to issue his public response: "Forbes was listing the toughest CEOs in the country, and I was in that article. They had me saying, 'Do unto
269:
Described by oral historian Studs Terkel as "the boss," "the chief executive officer of the corporation," "big boned and heavy-set, with calloused hands," "bluff and genial" and having "the appearance of the archetypal elderly workingman in Sunday clothes," Rasmussen was prominently featured in
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and regional supervisory posts. Rasmussen says he studied on his own, mastering each new job: "I only had a high school education, so I had to educate myself," he said. "Every time I got into something I might not know enough about, I'd go out and buy every book I could find on the subject."
246:
On the day he took over in 1976, Rasmussen told his predecessor, "I'm the chief executive, and I'm going to run things." Soon after, his "pugnacious style" and "aggressive leadership ushered in a series of boardroom brawls" resulting in the "resignation of his designated successor," whom
204:. In 1977, he was named chairman and CEO of Beatrice Foods Co, which, by this time, had become America's largest food processing company and a multi-billion-dollar business. During Rasmussen's tenure at Beatrice, he added many high-profile
389:, traditionally have started life in "humble circumstances" yet, "in spite of this early adversity, or many would say because of it, they have worked with great diligence to achieve success and the fulfillment of their dreams."
231:
Although a self-described "country boy," Rasmussen developed a reputation as a bold, tough, no-nonsense businessman, which spread in large part due to many media reports and his frequent stints as an interview subject of
408:
On
December 17, 1936, Rasmussen married Grace Irene Moreland (died 1993). They had two children, Ada and Walter. Wallace Rasmussen died after a long illness at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 21, 2008.
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to providing educational opportunities to hundreds of deserving students. While these educational opportunities provided by
Rasmussen were innumerable, some of the most notable include the five annual
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others before they do unto you.' I don't know whether I should have been happy with that, but I was OK. You have to show strength. Any sign of weakness and people are going to take advantage of you."
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400:, a non-profit educational organization that recognizes "exemplars of excellence," the highest achievers in public service, business, science and exploration, sports and the arts.
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441:. Based on interviews with more than 630 journalists and high level executives, the study was done while Rasmussen and Haggerty served as visiting professional scholars at the
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In 1934, Rasmussen landed a job as an ice hauler for
Beatrice Creamery Company, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He rose through the ranks, landing positions from chief engineer and
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361:(now the Rasmussen Studies Abroad Scholarship) that he established at Belmont University in 1994. In 1996, he funded and established another
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Cox, Meg; Ingrassia, Paul (May 21, 1979). "Discord at the Top: Beatrice Foods' board, officers split bitterly in a battle for control".
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appointed
Rasmussen chairman of the Tennessee Board of Corrections Commission where he served a period of three years.
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Although he achieved success with only a high school diploma, Rasmussen was a staunch proponent of
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had ravaged the
Rasmussen farm, leaving the family destitute. Working menial jobs, from delivering
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130:) from 1976 until his retirement in 1980. Rasmussen rose to the top of the business with just a
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200:, serving in several vice presidential positions. In 1976, Rasmussen became president and
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1145:"Wallace N. Rasmussen. Golden Plate Awardee, Class of 1977. The Academy of Achievement.
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described as "outflanked and outmuscled." When asked for a comment, Rasmussen told the
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The headline vs. the bottom line: mutual distrust between business and the news media
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The
Headline vs. the Bottom Line: Mutual Distrust Between Business and the News Media
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1002:. Nashville, TN: Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.
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Rasmussen's lifetime achievements were recognized when he was awarded a 1978
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805:"COMPANY NEWS; SHARES OF CLAYTON HOMES TAKE ANOTHER TUMBLE (Published 1993)"
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Horatio Alger
Association – Honoring Perseverance, Integrity and Excellence
1018:"Business and the media: mutual distrust sullies relationship, study says"
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Rasmussen's "pugnacious style" led him to make enemies and friends alike.
189:
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By the time
Rasmussen graduated from high school at the age of 16, the
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94:(July 11, 1914 – September 21, 2008) was an American
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877:"Finances & Scholarships - Study Abroad | Belmont University"
243:, well known as a chronicler of the lives of ordinary Americans.
905:. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: 125. 2008–2009.
628:"Beatrice: A Study in the Creation and Destruction of Value"
341:. After his retirement from Beatrice, Rasmussen devoted his
223:." After 47 years with Beatrice, Rasmussen retired in 1980.
425:, the book was cited by Christopher R. Martin in his book,
146:, on July 11, 1914. He was born to Lars Berg Rasmussen, a
417:
In 1994, Rasmussen and journalist Mike
Haggerty released
298:
After his retirement from Beatrice, Rasmussen settled in
761:
Business History - The American Business History Center
196:
By the 1960s, he had landed at company headquarters in
1086:
Lorsch, Jay; Berlowitz, Leslie; Zelleke, Andy (2004).
757:"From Milk Duds to Samsonite: The Beatrice Foods Saga"
957:
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
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Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Difficult Times
578:"Wallace Rasmussen Obituary (2008) - The Tennessean"
493:
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
280:
Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Faith in Difficult Times
684:"Iceman Became Boardroom Brawler of Beatrice Foods"
357:in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Rasmussen Foreign
255:"I'm dedicated to outshining the last management."
219:, which was acquired for $ 490 million in cash and
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1215:American chief executives of Fortune 500 companies
1043:"Communicating When Your Company is Under Siege"
455:In 2002, Rasmussen published his life's story,
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1105:Rasmussen, Wallace Niels (January 1, 2002).
996:Haggerty, Mike; Rasmussen, Wallace (1994).
365:, the Wallace N. Rasmussen Scholarship at
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1205:20th-century American non-fiction writers
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1220:Businesspeople from Nashville, Tennessee
355:Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
931:brilliantfuture.northcentralcollege.edu
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1069:Framed!: Labor and the Corporate Media
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488:"Member Profile - Wallace N Rasmussen"
427:Framed!: Labor and the Corporate Media
1255:20th-century American philanthropists
1210:American chairpersons of corporations
1185:21st-century American philanthropists
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270:several of his books, most notably
1200:20th-century American male writers
803:Bloomberg News (August 20, 1993).
647:10.1111/j.1540-6261.1992.tb04006.x
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1195:American people of Danish descent
903:Bulletin of Vanderbilt University
302:, where he held seats on several
122:of the former international food
1230:People from Nashville, Tennessee
524:"Wallace Rasmussen: 1914 - 2008"
437:and Andy Zelleke in their book,
755:Hoover, Gary (March 19, 2021).
555:American Dreams: Lost and Found
522:Jensen, Trevor (October 2008).
421:. Deemed a "landmark study" by
398:American Academy of Achievement
272:American Dreams: Lost and Found
1225:Philanthropists from Tennessee
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1240:People from Lincoln, Nebraska
1016:Sutter, Mark (May 15, 1994).
392:In addition, he received the
50:September 21, 2008 (aged 94)
1190:Businesspeople from Nebraska
1067:Martin, Christopher (2004).
717:"In Depth with Studs Terkel"
1245:Businesspeople from Chicago
626:Baker, George (July 1992).
177:to hiring himself out as a
126:, Beatrice, (now a part of
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1022:Greensboro News and Record
306:, including the boards of
1250:American business writers
901:"Financial Information".
173:door to door and cutting
1047:Fordham University Press
359:Student Exchange Program
217:Tropicana Products, Inc.
1160:American businesspeople
741:The Wall Street Journal
688:The Wall Street Journal
404:Personal life and death
249:The Wall Street Journal
120:chief executive officer
32:Wallace Niels Rasmussen
1127:"Wallace N. Rasmussen"
976:Academy of Achievement
855:"Endowed Scholarships"
784:Terkel, Studs (2003).
635:The Journal of Finance
607:Terkel, Studs (1997).
553:Terkel, Studs (1980).
446:First Amendment Center
363:studies abroad program
142:Rasmussen was born in
110:, Rasmussen served as
104:Beatrice Foods Company
84:Beatrice Foods Company
450:Vanderbilt University
413:Writings and research
367:North Central College
349:that he sponsored at
343:philanthropic efforts
857:. Belmont University
371:Naperville, Illinois
300:Nashville, Tennessee
264:Dollar General Corp.
236:-winning author and
82:Chairman & CEO,
54:Nashville, Tennessee
1235:People from Chicago
952:"About Our Members"
609:My American Century
383:Horatio Alger Award
320:Commerce Union Bank
276:My American Century
212:, most notably the
132:high school diploma
1108:The Ice Man's Life
912:community.28596285
809:The New York Times
457:The Ice Man's Life
431:Jay William Lorsch
396:in 1977, from the
394:Golden Plate Award
387:Horatio Alger, Jr.
351:Belmont University
106:in 1934 as an ice
1111:. Self published.
377:Honors and awards
198:Chicago, Illinois
144:Lincoln, Nebraska
92:Wallace Rasmussen
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1027:February 7,
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660:February 5,
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533:January 17,
278:(1997) and
188:to various
102:. Hired at
96:businessman
68:Businessman
62:Occupations
1154:Categories
1071:. Ithaca:
463:References
227:Reputation
179:ranch hand
155:dairy farm
138:Early life
1092:MIT Press
1073:ILR Press
817:0362-4331
790:New Press
696:0099-9660
613:New Press
325:Governor
210:portfolio
171:handbills
151:immigrant
114:and then
112:president
1136:July 23,
719:. C-SPAN
316:Shoney's
282:(2003).
274:(1980),
190:district
116:chairman
655:2328978
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287:Forbes
161:Career
148:Danish
108:hauler
56:, U.S.
41:, U.S.
907:JSTOR
842:Bills
651:JSTOR
631:(PDF)
285:When
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