A pair of Farmer School alumni received honorary doctorate degrees from Miami University at Fall Commencement last week.

David Dauch, 1986 management (production/supply chain) graduate, and Nina Leigh Krueger, 1983 marketing graduate, received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters. Honorary degree recipients are recognized for distinguished achievements in their respective endeavors and for the contributions their accomplishments make to the life of the university and the betterment of society.

Krueger began her career at Purina in 1994 in the cat food marketing division. She went on to hold various positions of increasing responsibility within the company, working on key global brands and initiatives, and she has been instrumental in bringing innovation to market. In 2010, Krueger was named vice president of Purina’s Golden Products litter division, moving to the position of chief marketing officer in 2015. She was promoted to president in 2016 and named CEO in November 2020.

After graduating from Miami, Krueger received her MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business in 1994. She is a member of the Farmer School’s Business Advisory Council and is active in her community, serving on multiple boards and executive committees of various nonprofit organizations.

Dauch is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), which include nearly 85 facilities in 18 countries. He has served on the Board of Directors of AAM since 2009 and currently serves on the FSB Business Advisory Council, the Boards of Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional CEO Council, the Detroit Economic Club, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Detroit Regional Partnership, the Detroit Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, the Great Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Amerisure Mutual Holdings, Inc. and the Amerisure Companies.

Dauch has received several business and leadership awards including the prestigious Ellis Island Award, the EY Entrepreneur of The Year Award (Michigan and Northwest Ohio region), and the Automotive News All Star Award.

Farmer School dean Jenny Darroch commented, “Nina Leigh and David exemplify everything we could wish for in our graduates, and their stellar career accomplishments are complemented by their commitment to their communities and their service to the Farmer School. This recognition is richly deserved.”