APDesign Introduces the Strautman Family Fellowship

The College of Architecture, Planning & Design at Kansas State University is delighted to announce the establishment of the Strautman Family Fellowship, a transformative initiative by John and Kate Strautman that is dedicated to supporting students in each department within the college.

The Strautmans have committed to providing at least one fifth-year fellowship for students in each department, emphasizing a dual focus on financial need and personal characteristics. To qualify, recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate qualities that align with the values cherished by the Strautmans themselves: integrity, hard work ethic, intelligence, energy, motivation, quality and perseverance.

John — a 1985 graduate of the landscape architecture program in AP Design — and Kate attribute their success to these very qualities. By establishing the Strautman Family Fellowship, they aim to give back to the college and invest in the next generation of leaders who embody these fundamental principles.

The fellowship comes at a critical juncture, providing essential support to students facing financial challenges while pursuing their fifth-year professional master’s degrees. The recipients will not only benefit from financial assistance but also gain recognition for their commitment to excellence in their academic pursuits and personal qualities.

In addition to the Strautman Family Fellowship, the couple has further solidified their commitment to the college by establishing the Strautman Family Chair in Land Conservation and Stewardship. This endowed chair, outlined in their estate plans, will support a distinguished faculty member whose research focuses on land conservation and environmental stewardship.

The Strautmans’ philanthropic efforts are poised to make a significant impact on the college, reinforcing its position as the premier land-grant design college in the nation.

“We are immensely grateful to John and Kate Strautman for their generous commitment to the College of Architecture, Planning & Design,” said Michael McClure, professor and dean of APDesign. “The Strautman Family Fellowship and the Strautman Family Chair in Land Conservation and Stewardship are invaluable contributions that will elevate the educational experience for our students and advance the college’s mission.”

As Kansas State University’s strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State.

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