About Michael R. Quinlan
"Much of the success I may have achieved can be traced directly back to my time at Loyola University Chicago. I have received far more from Loyola than I have given." Michael R. Quinlan (PhB '67, MBA '70)
The Quinlan School of Business is named in honor of Michael R. Quinlan (PhB '67, MBA '70), former president and CEO of McDonald's Corporation. His professional drive and education combined to create an amazing success story.
From the mailroom to the board room
Raised on Chicago's West Side, Michael Quinlan was the first in his family to attend college. He was offered a full-tuition scholarship to Loyola and was able to get a job in the McDonald's mailroom, where he worked 25 hours a week to pay for books and housing.
From 1963 to 1970, Quinlan earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and psychology and then a master's in business administration. Quinlan rose up the ranks at McDonald's to become its president and CEO in 1987 and chairman of the board in 1990.
Service to the community
"I strongly believe in the Jesuit ethic and the importance of giving back and being grateful. I believe in trying to be good men and women for others and in treating the human spirit." -Michael R. Quinlan.
During his time at McDonald's, Quinlan spearheaded the construction of a Ronald McDonald House for ailing children and their families near Loyola's Medical Center. He received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Loyola in 1988.
Service to Loyola
In 1999, he became chairman of the Loyola University Chicago Board of Trustees. Under his leadership, Loyola witnessed increasing enrollments and major capital improvements to all of its campuses. Today, he is chairman emeritus of the board at Loyola.
In honor of a $10 million donation in 2004, the University dedicated the Michael R. and Marilyn C. Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center. One year later, Quinlan was honored with the Sword of Loyola in recognition of his lifetime of humanitarian service.
Quinlan School of Business
In June 2012, Quinlan made a $40 million gift to the business school, the largest gift the business school has received. Loyola's School of Business Administration and its affiliated Graduate School of Business together became the Michael R. Quinlan School of Business in recognition of the gift.
Quinlan's donation to the business school helped fund brand new programs, boost the business school's rankings in U.S. News & World Report, attract top faculty, support an increasing number of business students, and contribute to the expansion of the Water Tower Campus.
"I hope my gift inspires support from other alumni," said Quinlan at the time. "We have great plans in store for this school."
The Quinlan School of Business is named in honor of Michael R. Quinlan (PhB '67, MBA '70), former president and CEO of McDonald's Corporation. His professional drive and education combined to create an amazing success story.
From the mailroom to the board room
Raised on Chicago's West Side, Michael Quinlan was the first in his family to attend college. He was offered a full-tuition scholarship to Loyola and was able to get a job in the McDonald's mailroom, where he worked 25 hours a week to pay for books and housing.
From 1963 to 1970, Quinlan earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and psychology and then a master's in business administration. Quinlan rose up the ranks at McDonald's to become its president and CEO in 1987 and chairman of the board in 1990.
Service to the community
"I strongly believe in the Jesuit ethic and the importance of giving back and being grateful. I believe in trying to be good men and women for others and in treating the human spirit." -Michael R. Quinlan.
During his time at McDonald's, Quinlan spearheaded the construction of a Ronald McDonald House for ailing children and their families near Loyola's Medical Center. He received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Loyola in 1988.
Service to Loyola
In 1999, he became chairman of the Loyola University Chicago Board of Trustees. Under his leadership, Loyola witnessed increasing enrollments and major capital improvements to all of its campuses. Today, he is chairman emeritus of the board at Loyola.
In honor of a $10 million donation in 2004, the University dedicated the Michael R. and Marilyn C. Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center. One year later, Quinlan was honored with the Sword of Loyola in recognition of his lifetime of humanitarian service.
Quinlan School of Business
In June 2012, Quinlan made a $40 million gift to the business school, the largest gift the business school has received. Loyola's School of Business Administration and its affiliated Graduate School of Business together became the Michael R. Quinlan School of Business in recognition of the gift.
Quinlan's donation to the business school helped fund brand new programs, boost the business school's rankings in U.S. News & World Report, attract top faculty, support an increasing number of business students, and contribute to the expansion of the Water Tower Campus.
"I hope my gift inspires support from other alumni," said Quinlan at the time. "We have great plans in store for this school."