NAMES IN THE NEWS : ‘Iacocca Rap’ Done for Iacocca

ATLANTA â€”  Chrysler Chairman Lee A. Iacocca received an unexpected welcome when he visited an alternative school aimed at salvaging school dropouts--a rendition of the “Iacocca Rap.â€�

“Lee Iacocca, for all you do, we dedicate this rap to you,� Aaron Bolton, 20, began when Iacocca visited Rich’s Academy, based in downtown Rich’s Department Store, on Thursday.

Bolton, with the help of a friend who kicked out a drumbeat by using his mouth as a percussion instrument, began swaying to the beat as he rapped for a wide-eyed Iacocca:

“He left Ford Motor Co. with a plan on the double.

“Became Chrysler’s CEO, found out they were in trouble.

“He designed a new automobile, they called the ‘K.’

“His new car and charming wit surely saved the day.�

Iacocca toured the alternative school, formed in 1981, to see if he could use it as a model for similar schools through the Iacocca Institute, the philanthropic arm of Chrysler that is housed at Lehigh University, his alma mater.

Iacocca exhorted about 80 students to find a subject they like and to stay with it. “It’s that basic,� he said. “I don’t know what else to tell you.�