DePauw Stories

With 18 family members counted among DePauw’s alumni, Mark Koenig ’86 and Karen Strasma Koenig ’87 have a tight bond with their alma mater.

It’s so tight, in fact, that the couple established an eponymous scholarship fund in 2015 to benefit one student each year who is studying either economics or communications, their majors. 

They also have supported DePauw’s Sigma Chi and Alpha Chi chapters through their philanthropy and contributed to the building of Strasma Hall, a residence hall in Rector Village, that was primarily funded by and named for Karen’s father, Norman Strasma ’55, and his late wife Janice.

“The scholarship was our way of giving back to current students,” Mark said. “The gifts to our fraternity and sorority reflect how much we learned from the privilege of being part of those organizations.”

Mark is a financial leader whose career spanned 19 years with Procter and Gamble and 15 years with LBrands. He left LBrands in 2020 and is deciding on his next career move. 

“DePauw taught me how to learn, how to communicate and how to lead,” he said. “Serving as president of Sigma Chi and participating in the Management Fellows Program are two of my most important experiences from DePauw. In addition, I met Karen and I also met dozens of fraternity brothers who have been lifelong friends. We get together annually for a golf outing, and they have always been there when I have needed them.”

Karen, a professional photographer, said, “Having a liberal arts degree allowed me to be well-rounded in my first two jobs within a business startup environment. Swimming on the DePauw Women’s swim team and participating in the GLCA Philadelphia Program are some of my best memories from my DePauw years. I also met Mark, developed lifelong friendships and continued my love of swimming.”

In his free time, Mark enjoys golf, skiing and philanthropic endeavors. Karen pursues photography, swimming, travel and reading literacy initiatives. Together they have three children: Alison, 25, a social worker; Natalie, 23, a fifth-grade teacher; and Madison, 20, a college junior studying marketing and finance.

If you are interested in learning how you might support scholarships, residence life, Greek life or other activities at DePauw, please contact Steve Trautman, executive director of development, at steventrautman@depauw.edu or 765-658-4085.