Dr. Thomas F. Schutte (1935-2025)
Dr. Thomas F. Schutte, President Emeritus of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, passed away on March 26, 2025, at the age of 89. Born on December 19, 1935, Schutte was the son of Lindsley R. and Marion Healy Schutte of Rochester, New York.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Tess Lansing Schutte; sons Douglas L. Schutte and David L. Schutte; grandchildren Matthew Schutte, Trevor Schutte, Ryan Schutte, Kara Schutte Weinstein, and Ethan Levy; great-grandchildren Griffin Schutte and Ellie Schutte; sister Caroline Schutte Chandler; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Schutte earned his BA degree from Valparaiso University, an MBA from Indiana University, and a PhD in management from the University of Colorado. After receiving his doctorate degree, Schutte devoted his career to academia, first as a professor and as Assistant Dean at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1975 he was appointed President of the Philadelphia College of Art, beginning a 42-year run leading prominent American art schools. In 1983, he was tapped to run the Rhode Island School of Design and in 1993 he joined Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where he remained until his retirement in 2017.
