Pepperdine University Honors Henning Strauss with an Honorary Doctorate

Henning Strauss ('01), CEO and owner of STRAUSS—Europe’s leading workwear brand—and the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus of Seaver College, was awarded an honorary doctor of business administration at Pepperdine University’s commencement ceremony. 

Strauss receiving his honorary degree from Pepperdine's leaders

“Because of [Henning’s] 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’s ceremony, we are presenting him with an additional honor—the highest distinction, in fact, that our University confers,” said Jay Brewster, Pepperdine’s provost and chief academic officer.

Since 2001 Strauss, alongside his brother Steffen, has helped transform his family’s 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’s global brand, Seaver College’s distinguished alumnus successfully forged partnerships with some of the world’s most notable athletic leagues like the European Football Association, the NFL in Europe, and the MLB. 

Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Strauss played an active role on Pepperdine’s 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’s degree.

“I am honored today to introduce an outstanding Seaver College graduate and respected business innovator,” said Lee Kats, the dean of Seaver College, while introducing Strauss at the commencement ceremony. “He led the transformation of his family’s business from a mom-and-pop—or mutti-und-papa—seller of brooms and workwear into a diverse and sought-after global brand.”

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’s 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’s 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.

“I want to remind you that Pepperdine gives us much more than just a diploma,” said Strauss in his address to graduates. “It gives you a place, a perspective—for some of you, maybe even a person—that 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—not just knowledge, but a way of seeing.”