"We focus our philanthropic endeavors on supporting progressive leaders and institutions that develop opportunities for talented people and dedicated professionals to respond to daunting societal challenges," shared the Strauchs. "We are inspired by Dean Yoon's leadership and her focus on identifying, attracting, and supporting talented, early-career educators who contribute fresh ideas and perspectives. We share her confidence that this endowed fund will lead to impactful and effective approaches to how society designs and builds environments that dramatically improve how we live and work more economically, peacefully, and comfortably both individually and collectively."
Following the success of the pilot fellowships that conclude this spring, the newly endowed Strauch Early Career Fellow will be inaugurated with one nine-month appointment in the Department of Architecture to begin ahead of the 2024–25 academic year. The fellowship centers on research and teaching under the mentorship of a senior faculty member in the department and aims to provide the experiences, skills, and knowledge critical to preparing fellows for future academic success.
"The college is thrilled to continue to invite excellent, emerging educators to Cornell," said J. Meejin Yoon, Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. "Hans and Roger's generosity and commitment broaden and advance our disciplines, beginning with our studios and classrooms, where the next generation of scholars and practitioners bring invaluable perspectives that shape the ways we teach and learn."
One fellow will be appointed in architecture, art, or planning each academic year and will have an additional opportunity to be part of a national cohort of other emerging scholars and practitioners participating in the Deans' Equity and Inclusion Initiative. That program brings together 35 leading US schools and colleges of architecture, planning, art, and design that are dedicated to creating a community of early-career faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, with attention to those underrepresented among the faculty in the field.
