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

ATLANTA —  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.”

“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.”