Louis H. Dirks (1880-1967) was born in 1880 on a farm near Maywood, earned A.B and M.A. degrees from Indiana University and was vice principal of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis before coming to DePauw in 1926. He served as Dean of Men and as professor of education from 1926 until his retirement in 1948. Upon his death in 1967, he was eulogized for his "quality of eternity...in bringing out the best in young people." Dirks was awarded the Leather medal by DePauw students for his outstanding service to the university community and received a "D" blanket in 1965 for his continuous support of DePauw athletics.