Grace College Celebrates Administrator’s 42 Years of Service

Grace College celebrates Don Fluke’s 42 faithful years of service as the director of information technology upon announcing his retirement this fall. Fluke’s decades of work as a computer guru and trusted mentor, colleague and administrator have left an indelible mark on the institution.

“Under Don’s leadership, Grace College has not only kept pace with technological advancements but has often been at the forefront of innovation in higher education,” said Dr. Drew Flamm. “We know that for Don, these technological milestones were motivated by his love for the institution and its students. He is committed to providing dynamic learning environments for them to grow academically and spiritually.”

Fluke worked under five of Grace’s seven presidents during his tenure in the office of information technology. Fluke was hired to manage the office in 1977 when the institution transitioned from an external computing service to an internal data processing department.

In 1978, Don installed the first multi-user minicomputer at Grace and created a basic network enabling information to be processed across multiple offices.

Since then, Fluke has led the school in numerous technological advancements, including adding a student computing lab; ushering the internet and email to campus; introducing online student registration, campus-wide wireless and Google Apps for Education; and implementing software such as Jenzabar, OnBase, MoodleRooms and Canvas.

Under Fluke’s leadership, internet connectivity at Grace went from 56 kilobits per second in 1990 to 1000 megabits per second today.

“Don has led the institution through numerous technological advancements, from the pre-internet days of terminals and coaxial cables to the current days of web-based software and fiber optics,” said Deonda Hostetter, who has worked with Fluke in the office of information technology for the last 24 years. “Don is an exceptional leader who cares about the well-being of his team and fosters a collaborative environment by actively seeking input from his staff. His forward-looking approach and excellent budgeting skills helped ensure Grace was and is prepared for the future.”

Fluke’s leadership has impacted colleagues and students alike. Ben Miles, international admissions counselor at Grace, worked for Fluke for six years as a student and graduate.

“Don Fluke was my first real boss,” said Miles. “He welcomed me into the OIT department as an inexperienced student worker and eventually honored me with a full-time position when I graduated from Grace. For the next four years, he listened to my ideas, cast a vision for our department and showed me the kind of impact humble and authentic leadership can make. He is truly a legend around campus.”

Grace College is searching for its next director of information technology at Grace. To learn more about the role, visit www.grace.edu/about/grace-college/employment/current-openings/. For more information about Grace College, visit grace.edu.