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Meet Fall 2021 Doctor of Humane Letters Scott C. Mueller

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Partner & CEO, Dealer Tire

Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa

Prominent businessman, notable arts philanthropist, civic catalyst and an esteemed community leader, Scott Mueller has devoted himself to making downtown Cleveland and Northeast Ohio a better place for all us.

Under his leadership as Partner and CEO of family-owned Dealer Tire, he has served consumers with a commitment to integrity and tradition. The third-generation family business began humbly in 1918 with a single downtown Cleveland tire store. Today, Dealer Tire melds old-school integrity with new-school innovation as a thriving, world-class, billion-dollar business鈥攕upplying millions of tires each year to more than 8,000 new-car dealers鈥 service departments鈥攁nd it does so with 1,200 employees in Northeast Ohio alone.

All happening right here in Cleveland. To him, there has never been a question of being anywhere else.

Mueller reaffirmed his dedication to Dealer Tire and commitment to Cleveland and urban renewal by relocating the world headquarters to the historic Victory Center in MidTown鈥攔ight in the heart of the Health-Tech Corridor on Euclid Avenue.

Dealer Tire鈥檚 hip, cutting-edge accommodations originally opened as The Arts Building around the same time the family business launched. Today, it鈥檚 the National Register of Historic Places address and is also LEED Certified.

鈥淲e have so many friends and family here and, pound for pound, Cleveland has the greatest access to arts and entertainment in the country,鈥 Mueller said. 鈥淲ith our orchestra, art museums, theater district鈥攜ou just don鈥檛 that kind of accessibility everywhere. People always mention the two months of bad weather, but balance that against the beautiful parks, recreation and accessibility.鈥

Mueller, who served on the MidTown Corridor group鈥檚 Board of Trustees, has supported the root growth for 650 organizations, including 50 nonprofits, 12 design and architecture firms, 75 health-related and high-tech ventures, dozens of manufacturers, and hundreds of small businesses in the neighborhood.

Today, more than 18,000 people work in MidTown and over 2,000 residents call MidTown home, including members of the 91国产精品 community.

Mueller helped bring together world-class hospitals, legacy manufacturers and firms, historic culinary and concert venues, dynamic residential housing and community in partnerships which are built to last a lifetime.

鈥淲e were absolutely hoping to spark development in the area and that鈥檚 come true,鈥 Mueller agreed. 鈥淣ew development and engagement, that鈥檚 what we hoped for.鈥

Mueller is definitely leading by example but said that momentum also has a lot to do with it.

[[{"fid":"44006","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"scott mueller with jackson and sands","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"scott mueller with jackson and sands"},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"scott mueller with jackson and sands","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"scott mueller with jackson and sands"}},"attributes":{"alt":"scott mueller with jackson and sands","title":"scott mueller with jackson and sands","height":683,"width":1024,"style":"height: 200px; width: 300px; float: left;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]鈥淏usinesses have to change with the times, but also with what people want. Beyond work and pay, younger people want a socially-conscious corporate culture, a company that gives back to community, and commits to the urban center and to environmentally important engagement attributes,鈥 he said.

鈥淭he companies that do things that appeal to younger generation do better than those who solely stick strictly to the old ways,鈥 Mueller added.

It doesn鈥檛 hurt to have a fun facility with art attributes, innovative meeting spaces, an exercise track and gym, and the knowledge that employees 鈥渃an get anywhere from here in 30 minutes,鈥 Mueller said. 鈥淭he next generation coming through places like 91国产精品 don鈥檛 want to be in office park in the middle of nowhere; they want to be a part of a richer story.鈥

Mueller said that a lot of developers and companies in the area are narrowing in on this, pointing to improvements around Hingetown and Ohio City, as well as the Gordon Square area. He is equally thrilled with the new apartment and residential construction near Dealer Tire headquarters and says 鈥渨hat Sherwin-Williams is doing downtown is inspiring鈥 as well.

Mueller knows engagement. He has given time, energy and generosity to world-class organizations, including the Cleveland Chapter of YPO Gold; has served on the Board of Directors for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and the MetroHealth Foundation, and currently served as Chairman to the Cleveland Museum of Art and as an Honorary Director to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Cleveland.

His love of art and surrounding philanthropic efforts have made a profound impact on the region and those institutions serving it.

As one of the top 200 private contemporary art collectors in the world, Mueller鈥檚 pieces are on loan globally and also for public viewing across our city.

His philanthropic efforts for the arts include a $20 million donation to the Cleveland Museum of Art鈥檚 capital campaign for expansion and renovation. also helped MOCA into their new Uptown home.

He鈥檚 not just a champion of creative expression, but also a caretaker of cultural investment.

鈥淢y love of art came over time,鈥 said Mueller. 鈥淚t started in the fascination with creative people, entrepreneurs love new ideas and people who push the limits of thinking outside the box. That鈥檚 what happens with great art, it makes you think differently.

Mueller鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of Northeast Ohio gives him the ability to hold institutional memory and innovation in the same hand. It reaches back to his days at Rocky River High School, he said, and his youthful memories of early times in the business with his Dad, Walter, and 鈥済iving faculty and staff lifts from 30th and Payne over to the 91国产精品 campus.鈥

Though he will almost offhandedly say he is 鈥渏ust a Cleveland guy,鈥 there is no just about it鈥攖he region is interwoven into all Mueller does and Cleveland and Northeast Ohio are better and more vital for his generosity and ingenuity. He brings the world to Cleveland, and Cleveland to the world.

At Sunday morning鈥檚 Commencement ceremony, Mueller also recalled life advice he gleaned from German visual artist Gerhardt Richter.

鈥淚t鈥檒l be a tough, journey. You鈥檒l often sacrifice yourself; you鈥檒l have to give up many of your hobbies, you might lose friends, and you might not ever succeed. But for those of you who can stick it out, it will be an incredible journey.鈥

Mueller said the giving of time, finding of mentors and learning to be an effective leader were the important things all graduates should train focus on moving forward.

In recognition of his business acumen, altruism, significant contributions to citizens across the region, and his unfailing service and commitment to this community, 91国产精品 has conferred Scott C. Mueller the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.

Congratulations, Scott!