K-State’s Family of the Year

Do you have K-State alumni in your family who you think are incredibly loyal to the purple and white? Does your family attend many K-State athletic events during the academic year? Do they visit Manhattan so often they might as well live here? If your family is any number of these, or all of them, nominate them for the K-State Family of the Year recognition! Anyone can nominate his or her family of choice. Nomination forms are available online at Chimes Junior Class Honorary. Chimes junior honorary selects and awards the Family of the Year.

When high-school sweethearts Lawrence and Betty Strouts, Solomon, Kan. residents, decided to start a family after Lawrence received his degree at K-State in 1949, they never imagined they would be recognized for its strong Wildcat pride nearly 60 years later.

Lawrence and Betty Strouts family’s loyalty and steadfast involvement with the university helped them earn recognition as K-State’s Family of the Year last fall.

The Strouts family includes three generations of K-State graduates. All five of Lawrence and Betty’s children received degrees from K-State, as well as four of their children’s spouses and two grandchildren. One grandchild is currently working towards achieving a graduate degree, and three more have been attending K-State as undergraduates since last fall. This makes 12 K-State degrees in the Strouts family, with three more on the way.

Emily Schneider, Chimes member, said the honorary selected the Strouts as Family of the Year because of its strong connection to K-State.

“The K-State Family of the Year should have a strong connection to K-State, a history  of service to the university, and a love for K-State and each other that goes above and beyond,” Schneider said. “We chose the Strouts because they have had a connection to K-State for generations, and throughout the years, they have helped make K-State a better place.”

The Strouts family members were heavily involved with the university as students. Lawrence was a founding Wampus Cat member; his grandchild Rachel Klataske was a member of Mortar Board, Alpha Chi Omega and president of the Panhellenic Council; and grandchild Renee Strouts, who graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, is currently pursuing a graduate degree at K-State.

Although Lawrence graduated almost 60 years ago, his involvement continues to remain active. As a certified seed grower, he sells seed that was developed in a K-State lab. He and Betty also have a strong relationship with the International Grains Program at K-State. Each year, they host international visitors from IGP to demonstrate Kansas farming operations.
Lawrence and Betty’s son, Brian, Manhattan resident, nominated his family for the award.  “I nominated them because my dad has been a long-time K-State supporter and proud alumni,” Brian said. “All twelve graduates and many of their family members have demonstrated strong ties and loyalty to K-State throughout the years.”

The Strouts were recognized with a special brunch on Family Day on Sept. 27, 2008, and were presented with a plaque during the K-State volleyball game against Baylor, according to a K-State Media Relations press release.