Timothy Craft
Associate Professor and Director of the Koch Global Trading Center
Finance Real Estate and Decision Science Barton School of Business
It is both an honor and a privilege to recognize Dr. Tim Kraft as a member of the Bender of Twigs. He has provided extraordinary service, research and exceptional teaching to both graduate and undergraduate students. He exemplifies the very best of what it means to be an educator, colleague, and mentor. His teaching and mentorship have provided enduring contributions to our students and the university community. He is one of our best!
Dr. Kraft’s dedication to teaching excellence and student success has been unwavering. His finance classes have long been a place of challenge and encouragement, and his students give him the highest ratings. As his department chair for many years, I had the distinct pleasure of working closely with him and witnessing his profound impact on our students and his tremendous contributions to the Barton School and our department. Tim is unselfish in the extreme and cheerfully stepped up on several instances to cover full-semester classes for fellow faculty members who were incapacitated. He also, willingly, did more than his share of faculty service on committees and task forces.
His leadership, professionalism, collegiality and kindness have strengthened our academic programs and helped build a culture of collaboration and genuine care for colleagues. Since the inception of the Koch Global Trading Center, his leadership role in the operations and its classes was invaluable to its ongoing success and enhancement of our finance curriculum. Beyond his professional excellence, he has been a steadfast colleague and a true friend — someone whose wisdom, good humor, and integrity have enriched the lives of all who have had the privilege to work with him. On behalf of the FREDS department, the Barton School, and WSU, I extend our deepest appreciation and admiration to Dr. Tim Kraft for his remarkable service, enduring commitment, and the countless ways he has advanced our shared mission. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of faculty, staff, and students alike.
With heartfelt gratitude, thanks for all you do!
Rick LeCompte
H. Dene Heskett Chair, Retired