David Strauss, Weimer K. Hicks Award
The Weimer K. Hicks Award honors employees whose contributions to the College far exceeded the expectations and responsibilities of their positions, making it a kind of “extraordinary immersion” award. Let’s call the award “E.I.” for short.
“E.I., meet your 2025 exemplar, Professor Emeritus of History David Strauss,” whose involvement in the life and culture of Kalamazoo College has long been, and remains, far reaching.
David taught various courses (mostly in U.S. history) in the College’s history department for 29 years. He received numerous honors, including a Lucasse Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, an NSF Science and Technology Studies Grant, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a Lounsberry Fellowship. Before coming to K, he was a professor in the department of history at Colgate University, and he taught American studies in France as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Lyon. On two occasions during his tenure at K he served as a visiting professor (1983-4) and a visiting scholar (spring 1988) at Waseda University in Tokyo.
He has published many papers, made numerous presentations, and has written three books: “Percival Lowell: The Culture and Science of a Boston Brahmin”, Menace in the West: The Rise of French Anti-Americanism in Modern Times” and “Setting the Table for Julia Child.”
He was a consistent attendee at multiple campus events, including lectures, homecoming, stewardship gatherings, and popular student activities like Monte Carlo Night, where he served as a card dealer.
He worked tirelessly to establish an endowed scholarship that honors his retired colleague, David Barclay. Two College awards bear his name in honor—the David Strauss Prize in American Studies and the Strauss/Wickstrom Senior Individualized Project Endowment.
This Straussian “extraordinary immersion” seems set to continue for several more generations. David’s children “grew up playing on the Quad,” he says. He met his current wife, Dhera Strauss, in Dewing Hall, and three of his grandchildren are currently enrolled at K.
“My fondest K memories are the pleasure of teaching bright and engaged students from many countries,” says David, “and having meaningful sabbaticals to do research and writing.
“I continue to enjoy reading and speaking French, taking walks in various neighborhoods, and spending time with my family and dog.”