Sponsored by Washington University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, the dinner was held at the Hyatt Regency in Union Station and attended by more than 350 people.

Dean Christopher I. Byrnes cited John McDonnell and the company that bears his name with achievements in three critical areas. Foremost, the company was recognized for the development of the C-17 -- the world's most advanced military transport aircraft -- and the suite of aircraft and missiles it has successfully developed and manufactured.

Secondly, the company was saluted for the associated technological innovations which, in the end, helped win the Cold War.

Dean Byrnes also praised John McDonnell personally for the management of the corporation and the technological development which enabled his company to steer its way through a harsh and challenging post-Cold War environment to its current position as a highly attractive and productive entity which will be a key piece of the world's premier aerospace entity following the merger of McDonnell Douglas and the Boeing Company later this year.

In accepting the award John McDonnell saluted the thousands of engineers and technical people at the company who made these achievements possible, including almost 600 Washington University School of Engineering graduates.

"McDonnell Douglas is still a company run by engineers and technologists," he said. "A technology degree is almost a requirement to become a top line manager. Further, I can assure you that Boeing is the same way, the merger is not going to change the engineering culture.

"But other skills are also required," McDonnell stressed, "if you are going to work effectively as part of the self-starting, multi-disciplinary teams that are playing a larger and larger role in today's business world. You need to understand the business side of business."

He said that those who succeed must be able to communicate and work with people in all functional areas. "You must be willing and able to step up to the challenge of leadership," he said.

McDonnell went on to praise McDonnell Douglas President and CEO Harry Stonecipher and the company's other top executives as doing this well. "Engineering skills are a necessary but insufficient condition. Leadership is the ultimate skill for individual and company success," he said.

McDonnell said he plans to retire from day-to-day involvement in the management of the company once it merges with Boeing, but looks forward to increased involvement in the affairs of Washington University, where he serves on the board of trustees, and its School of Engineering and Applied Science.