News Release
WINONA LAKE — Grace College recently announced Dr. Thomas Pycraft is the new dean of the School of Business.
The announcement comes at the conclusion of a national search that began last summer after the passing of former dean Dr. Jeff Fawcett. Pycraft is a Grace College alumnus who, after 14 years as a litigation lawyer, returned to his alma mater in 2023 to serve as an assistant professor of finance.
“Dr. Pycraft brings a deep love for the Lord and a long-standing commitment to Grace College’s mission,” said Dr. Kevin Roberts, provost at Grace. “I am confident that his leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow the school and serve our business students.”
As a 2002 graduate of Grace, Pycraft has a 24-year history with the School of Business. He is confident the school is well-positioned to build upon its growing momentum. In the last fifteen years, the school’s enrollment has more than doubled; this spring, it launched its Gordon Center for Enterprise Development; and in the near future, the school will move into a new academic building, the Business Innovation Center.
“We have the potential to be a leader in Christian business education as we embrace the technological advances of our industry and prepare our students for success, all while remaining committed to our mission,” said Pycraft. “Looking forward, I want to focus on increasing our alumni engagement with our students and creating networks for collaboration and support that last beyond graduation.”
Pycraft graduated from Grace with his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He went on to attend law school at Cleveland State University and took the Bar exam in Florida. Pycraft lived in Florida for 14 years, working as a litigation attorney at a law firm covering civil law, real estate, financing sales and purchasing cases.
In 2021, he recognized his desire to teach and began pursuing a doctorate in business administration at Jacksonville University.
The first call Pycraft made was to his former accounting professor at Grace, Dr. Roger Stichter. Although no positions were open at the time, a few months later, the finance teaching position opened, and Pycraft knew he wanted to return to Grace. Little did he know that he would be assuming leadership of the school just a few years later.
“If I had to reduce what I love most about the School of Business to one word, it would be culture,” said Pycraft. “All of the faculty are wonderful to work with, and the students are amazing. Grace is an ideal place to work and build relationships that last, and I am fully aligned with the direction the college is headed.”
Dr. Drew Flamm, president of Grace College, agrees that there is alignment with Pycraft’s new appointment.
“We are confident that Dr. Pycraft will continue to build on the strong biblical foundation that has been established for all of our business courses,” said Flamm. “He recognizes that faith integration is a cornerstone of Christian business education and seeks to advance the mission of Grace, sending out students who seek to know Christ and make Him known, wherever they end up.”
