David Schramm

Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. David Schramm

Family Scholar and Public Speaker

PHS Class of 1995

Known as “Dr. Dave” on campus and across the country, Dave Schramm is a professor and family life extension specialist at Utah State University in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. Dave graduated from Payson High School in 1995. At Payson High School, he served as the student body secretary and played on the tennis team. He was also involved in German club, Concert Choir, and the Lion’s Roar Newspaper. After PHS he attended Brigham Young University earning a bachelor's degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development and his masters degree in Family, Consumer, and Human Development from Utah State University. From there, he went on to Auburn University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies in 2007.

After earning his Ph.D., Dr. Schramm worked as a professor at the University of Missouri for nine years, and earned the national Early Career Achievement Award from the National Council on Family Relations in 2010. In 2016, he took a position at Utah State University and was soon appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to serve on Utah’s Commission on Marriage. He appears monthly on the Fox 13 television channel in Utah to discuss happiness and family topics. He shares research and happy hacks through his social media presence and travels the country presenting classes, workshops, retreats, and trainings that are both memorable and moving. He regularly consults and presents for businesses and organizations on topics ranging from positive and happy cultures in the workplace, to flourishing at home. From British Columbia to Beijing, China and from St. Louis to San Francisco, Dr. Dave has given hundreds of presentations, classes, and workshops to a variety of audiences, including professional academic conferences, keynote addresses, and a TEDx talk in Florida on January 17, 2020. He married his Payson High School sweetheart Jamie Peery, they have four children, and live in North Logan, Utah.

Dr. Dave's YouTube channel distributes exceptional content to help people and families flourish.

Inducted 2020


Accomplishments:

  • PHS Student Body Secretary, 1994-1995

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from Brigham Young University

  • Master’s degrees in Family, Consumer, and Human Development from Utah State University

  • Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University

  • Provost Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty at the University of Missouri, 2010

  • Early Career Achievement Award from the National Council on Family Relations, 2010

  • Serves on Governor Herbert’s Utah Commission on Marriage.

  • Co-created Utah’s Online Divorce Education class for divorcing parents, which serves thousands of parents each year

  • Secured more than $17 million in grants and contract funding to support his research and outreach efforts

  • Recipient of the Western Region Extension Excellence Award from the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the United States Department of Agriculture, 2019

  • Assistant Professor and Family Life Extension Specialist at Utah State University in the department of Human Development and Family Studies

  • Much sought-after speaker across the world on topics such as positive and happy cultures in the workplace and flourishing at home