黑料爆料

Henning Strauss ('01), CEO and owner of STRAUSS鈥擡urope鈥檚 leading workwear brand鈥攁nd the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus of Seaver College, was awarded an honorary doctor of business administration at 黑料爆料鈥檚 commencement ceremony. 

Strauss receiving his honorary degree from Pepperdine's leaders

鈥淏ecause of [Henning鈥檚] outstanding achievements in the world of commerce, his significant contributions to the Pepperdine community, and the fact that he has traveled all the way from Germany to be part of today鈥檚 ceremony, we are presenting him with an additional honor鈥攖he highest distinction, in fact, that our University confers,鈥� said Jay Brewster, Pepperdine鈥檚 provost and chief academic officer.

Since 2001 Strauss, alongside his brother Steffen, has helped transform his family鈥檚 German-based workwear company. Under his leadership, STRAUSS has gone from a $50 million business to accruing more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue. In the process of growing the company鈥檚 global brand, Seaver College鈥檚 distinguished alumnus successfully forged partnerships with some of the world鈥檚 most notable athletic leagues like the European Football Association, the NFL in Europe, and the MLB. 

Throughout the 2025鈥�26 academic year, Strauss played an active role on Pepperdine鈥檚 campus. In the fall semester, he travelled from Germany to reconnect with fellow alumni at Waves Weekend. Then, during the spring, Strauss returned to Seaver College to visit and mentor current undergraduate students pursuing their bachelor鈥檚 degree.

鈥淚 am honored today to introduce an outstanding Seaver College graduate and respected business innovator,鈥� said Lee Kats, the dean of Seaver College, while introducing Strauss at the commencement ceremony. 鈥淗e led the transformation of his family鈥檚 business from a mom-and-pop鈥攐r mutti-und-papa鈥攕eller of brooms and workwear into a diverse and sought-after global brand.鈥�

Strauss offered words of encouragement to the class of 2026

With this introduction, Kats also announced the establishment of the Henning Strauss Endowed Chair in Business and Brand Leadership, a transformational gift that will benefit the college鈥檚 Business Administration Division, an esteemed member of the faculty, and students.

In addition to serving as the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus and receiving an honorary doctorate, Strauss also acted as the graduation speaker at this year鈥檚 commencement ceremony. In his remarks, he reflected on the lasting lessons in boldness he learned at Pepperdine, the mentors who shaped him, and the importance of giving back. In the process, he challenged students to consider the fruits of their education.

鈥淚 want to remind you that Pepperdine gives us much more than just a diploma,鈥� said Strauss in his address to graduates. 鈥淚t gives you a place, a perspective鈥攆or some of you, maybe even a person鈥攖hat will go with you wherever you go. It gives you an anchor. Whenever you need to be steadied, you can return in your mind to this place. You can remember what it gave you鈥攏ot just knowledge, but a way of seeing.鈥�