The H.R. Young Lecture Series, an annual event sponsored by the Leon Hess Business School, has an outstanding track record of bringing the most outstanding people from all walks of life to our university. This year’s lecture “Building a Global Medtech Leader” featured Mr. Vincent Forlenza, retired Executive Chairman and CEO at Becton, Dickinson & Company.
The annual H.R. Young Lecture Series sponsored by the Leon Hess Business School was held on April 24, 2025 in the Great Hall Auditorium. Our past two keynote speakers were Mr. Patrick O’Keefe, author of the award-winning book “Empire of Pain” about the Sackler family of Purdue Pharma notoriety exposing the OxyContin epidemic in our country and Mr. Carmine Coppola, Executive Vice President of Sony Music Entertainment.
Mr. Forlenza spoke about transforming Becton, Dickinson from a medical supplies manufacturer into a global leader in medical devices, diagnostics, and life sciences.
A Lehigh University alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Forlenza also serves as Chairman of the Board for MARAbio Systems (Maternal Auto-Antibody Related Autism) specializing in early diagnosis of autism, and director of MNHI (Maternal Newborn Health Innovations). He is also lead director at Moody’s Corporation and chair emeritus on the Valley Health Systems Board of Trustees.
There were approximately 150 people in attendance. Several of the business professors brought their night classes to the lecture. There was also support from the School of Science and Nursing. The lecture concluded with a very engaging question and answer session.
Mr. Forlenza commented, “It is my hope that students interested in careers in both the business and healthcare sectors took away valuable insights”.
