From CEO to the Classroom: What Alan Grossnickle Is Doing at Grace College
By Ashley Brewster
If you’re a business student, you’ve most likely had a class with Professor Grossnickle. He’s a relatively recent addition to the Grace faculty, but he’s already making an impact, both on the business department and on the school as a whole.
Grossnickle’s story is a fascinating one. He grew up not far from Grace in Wabash, Ind. When he graduated from college, America was in the throes of the Vietnam War. Grossnickle, who was getting married, received his lottery number and figured he would be drafted halfway through the year. As a result, he decided to teach for half a year and then enlist in the Army reserves.
Grossnickle had been primarily interested in business, so he came back on weekends during training and began working at a healthcare company he had done maintenance for during college. And after working at the same company for 17 years, he took over the company as president and CEO.
“It wasn’t me; it was God,” recounted Grossnickle. “He was leading me, preparing me for higher education, which wasn’t even on my radar.”
He looks back on his term as CEO with fondness. “There were great people there,” he recalled. “It was lots of fun.” Eventually, the time came for Grossnickle and his team to devise an exit strategy, and they sold the company.
At this time, a local university wanted him to teach a class.
“I was flattered, but it didn’t seem interesting to me,” said Grossnickle. “I was starting several businesses and doing other things.”
However, during a visit to the university, the dean off the business school approached him and offered him a job teaching an entrepreneurial class. Grossnickle accepted, and then finished teaching a second class in the spring. That fall, the university started an entrepreneurial school there.
“I had to think: Did I want to go back to work full-time?” recounted Grossnickle. “I prayed about it and thought it was the right thing to do.”
At the same time, Grace was offering him work as an adjunct professor. Grossnickle considered the proposal.
“I enjoyed teaching,” he said. “It’s a great experience.”
It was during lunch with Associate Professor of Accounting Roger Stichter–who used to work at Grossnickle’s company–who mentioned there was an opening at Grace’s business school and suggested Grossnickle apply. He did.
“It is such a blessing to be able to give back,” said Grossnickle. “I enjoy being able to help students understand what it’s like in the business world.”
“I want to make a difference,” he said. “This is important to me. I know exactly what God wants me to do.” He chuckled and continued, “It’s like on Maslow’s Motivation Theory, at the top is self-actualization”–citing the “hierarchy of needs” chart with which business students are all too familiar. “Sometimes I feel I get more from the experience than the students.”
Grossnickle may have sold his company, but he is far from retired. In fact, he is busier than ever. He is currently working on his Ph. D dissertation in marketing, which he hopes to have completed by the summer. In addition, the Gordon Institute for Enterprise and Development–of which he is in charge–is making some big changes. The Orthopaedic Scholar Institute (OSI), which operates under the Gordon Institute, will be open next to all students looking to land internships–not just students in the business department.
“We want to find the student’s passion,” explained Grossnickle. “We help them with mock interviews, writing resumes, how to dress, and what to expect.”
He also oversees the Business Plan Competition, which is going on right now. Undergrad students in teams of 15 are working with Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) in Fort. Wayne to devise a viable business plan. Two to three teams will receive cash prizes and money to help start their businesses.
“The ideas these students have are unbelievable,” Grossnickle said excitedly.
In addition, he’s in the process of engineering the CEO Forum on April 30, which will feature international figures such as the current CEOs of Edward-Jones, Orthoworx, Paragon Medical, Norbert, and the former CEO of AT&T.
Grossnickle has an exciting vision for the future. Next year, from November to May, approximately 20 Grace students will have the opportunity to mentor high school students around the community as the Institute and School of Business and the Warsaw and Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce join forces to present the Youth Entrepreneurship Academy. Local high school students will have the opportunity to take advantage of the one-on-one mentorship and learn about small business entrepreneurship for Grace college credit.
In July, Grossnickle will help with the Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Certification Program, which is tailored to reach out to adults in the community. As of right now, he is looking forward to this year’s second trip to the Arizona Business Practicum over spring break.
“It’s a lot of fun for the students,” he said. “They come back with their eyes wide open with practical small business application.”
As he considers all that lies ahead, Grossnickle is excited. “This is a great time to be at Grace,” he affirmed. “It’s a great time to be a Grace student.”
Most importantly, Grossnickle wants to focus the Gordon Institute’s efforts on what he refers to as the “Kingdom aspect.” In 2014, he is looking to take the program overseas, possibly as a college course.
“We want to present business as a mission,” he maintains. “That’s the most important.”
“I’m happy to be here,” Grossnickle concludes. “I’m excited. Swamped,” he chuckles, “but it’s all good.”
