Donated by Christopher Hocking
Paver location: 3-A (see map)
Our grandparents were from Southern Bavaria. Herman Strauss and Anna Maria (Mick) Strauss who had two children; my mom Liane Gertrud (Strauss) Hocking, referred to as Oma, and my uncle Harald Strauss. Liane had two boys David and I, Christopher Hocking. She lived for us two boys, her nieces, and nephew, & ten grand kids. Her favorite activity was visiting botanical gardens. Uncle Harald & Aunt Mary had three children, Alexandra, Jordan, & Jackson. Harald was a caring and kind man with a keen business sense. Of Herman & Anna’s five grand kids, three have attended SMU. I worked part time at Dunhill Partners and later Rotan Mosle to help pay expenses while attending. SMU transformed me into a caring elementary school teacher, and I enjoyed three decades of teaching in poverty areas of Central California. SMU made me into a world changer and to serve areas of the highest need. I sought to be an inspiration for youth as my mother and uncle modeled for me. We are a family of world changers.