AMAG Spring 2018

M S O-dO’ ND TO mO t L E tRAV ND POSTCAFT dON’T F - sE GOAT GI pASSPORORGET Y U b T! -

Culver Spring 2018

Alumni Magazine

PASSPORT

to Global Citizenship

“I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”

— Diogenes 300 BC

FR O M THE E D I T O R

Our Pathways Stretch Around the Globe When Diogenes proclaimed himself a “citizen of the world”

If Diogenes were alive, he would understand the critical issues

in 300 BCE, tethered to no city or country, he was centuries ahead

facing the human race and ask again, “What does it mean to be

of his time. And though the perimeter of his ancient world was

a citizen of the world?” It has to be more than a willingness to

narrow, he understood that there were more common bonds that

engage in dialogue or to immerse oneself in travel. The baseline

tied human beings together than differences, and that continued

has to be a core belief that “leadership and responsible citizenship

dialogue was essential to forging new understandings and alliances.

in society” is global in nature, and that what happens to one can

Being a Cynic philosopher, however, he also knew how difficult it

happen to all. In other words, it has to become a permanent world-

was to realize this goal unless people were willing to adjust the lens

view, one with a wide lens that is constantly adjusting. That does

through which they judged one another.

not mean abandoning citizenship of one’s home country; it literally

Fast forward to the 21st century and a globe that has shrunk

becomes a “home base” from which to operate.

metaphorically because information can be shared virtually any-

Drew Noble Alexander, Headmaster at Leman Manhattan

where with one keystroke. Physical boundaries, though intact, are

Preparatory School, believes that “students in an increasingly global

no longer the protective barriers they once were. International travel

society glean information from all their learning experiences, and

anywhere on the globe is achievable. Yet ironically, information

analyze and synthesize it when dealing with shared societal issues,

and lightning fast communication has not drawn diverse cultures

be they environmental, financial, social, educational, or political.”

together but has, in fact, helped balkanize them. For the first time

He emphasizes that this generation will be faced with some of the

in recent human history, there is a looming threat that global nuclear

world’s biggest challenges, where “they will need to address the

war could destroy the human race and the entire world with it.

needs of more than seven billion people living on a planet with ever

dwindling natural resources.” Adults are not exempt from this

vistas but also helps them to navigate the differences in culture,

challenge either and are charged with the responsibility of engaging

find the commonalities, and share their perspectives when they

with their students to develop global perspectives through critical

return. Last summer 8 faculty members traveled to Chile, England,

thinking skills and collaborative learning.

Italy, and Tanzania. At least three of them are considering a return

Culver has the advantage of a diverse domestic and international

to the countries to continue the work they started.

student population from 23 countries and 38 states, which provides

The Global Pathways Spring program (GPS) is in its 30th year of

a forum for exploring the traits of global citizenship. Yet there is

providing service learning and cultural exchange opportunities for

always more work to do. In his Views and Perspectives piece,

students, faculty, staff and patrons who want to learn more about

Dr. Power describes a conversation he had with a freshman cadet

global citizenship. Cultural and service learning trips have been

whose roommate lived 5,000 miles away and yet the cadet had

taken to 7 states, Puerto Rico and 23 countries. This spring break

never asked him one question about where he was from. Being

there are 21 adults leading 114 Culver students on 5 trips, includ-

aware of what one doesn’t know is the starting point to asking

ing Greece, Mexico, Italy, Tanzania and four EU countries (Belgium,

questions and starting conversations. Every student at Culver is an

Luxembourg, France and Germany).

immigrant to the school, and there is so much rich ground to till.

The pathways toward global citizenship are becoming more

This issue focuses on global citizenship and how it develops in

defined at Culver, but there are always new ones being created,

both students and adults at Culver. For adults, there are significant

encouraging others to follow. Diogenes would approve of these

professional development resources available to faculty and staff to

efforts to think and act beyond boundaries and become true

travel and immerse themselves in other cultures. It is a literal and

“citizens of the world.”

cultural passport experience that not only opens up their physical

— Kathy Lintner

Culver Alumni Magazine

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE

CONTENTS

Chief Advancement Officer Holly Johnson

ALUMNI RELATIONS Director Alan Loehr Jr. Legion President Dr. Anna Kantzer Wildermuth ‘83 Lafayette, Indiana

Page

12

CSSAA President N. Merritt Becker N ’83 Zionsville, Indiana Culver Clubs International President Meg Dinwiddie Burk L ’89, ’91 Indianapolis, Indiana

5

COMMUNICATIONS Director/Strategic Marketing Bill Hargraves III ’77

Global citizenship

Editor/Culver Alumni Magazine Kathy Lintner Asst. Director/Publications Jan Garrison Digital Media Manager Trent Miles

Teacher & Student Travel

Publications Manager/ Museum Curator Jeff Kenney

DEVELOPMENT Director Mike Hogan Director/Annual Fund K. Megan MacNab Bekker

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR Tony Giraldi ’75

MAGAZINE DESIGN Scott Adams Design Associates

PHOTOGRAPHY Lew Kopp, Mo Morales, Jan Garrison

PRINTING AND MAILING West-Camp Press

The Team Triathlon: 7 years and running ...and swimming, and biking Firmly established on the national triathlon scene, Culver’s Triathlon has fostered continuous partnerships among organizations from the town of Culver, Lake Maxinkuckee community, and Culver Academies.

Culver (USPS 139-740) is published by The Culver Educational Foundation, 1300 Academy Road, Culver, Indiana 46511-1291.

Opinions are those of the authors, and no material may be reproduced without the editor’s written consent.

Postmaster, please send change of address notice to Culver Alumni Office, 1300 Academy Road #132, Culver, Indiana 46511-1291.

Whether building a first home for Mexican families or gazing at the stars from a Chilean observatory, Culver students and faculty have forged new global understandings of what it means to lead “from the edge of the inside.”

page

8

Volume 94 / Issue 2 / Spring 2018

Student & Staff Collaboration Gains National Attention Charles Mahoney’s ’18 collaboration with Sustainability Director Chris Kline ’82 and Food Service Director Lee Willhite created a program that reduces food waste and provides meals for the elderly and needy families in the community.

page

Jill Curtis’ Bliss and Blisters: A Life with Horses Jill’s lifelong love for horses put her on a track at age 6 to “follow her bliss.” Each experience has been a stepping stone, leading to more expertise, more confidence and finally, ownership of her own show barn.

page

26

6

Departments i From the Editor 4 Views & Perspectives 30 Sporting News 34 Alumni Class News 38 Culver Clubs International 42 In Memoriam

Eagles are Eagles Win the Class State 3A StateBasketball Basketball Champions!

Champions!

The CMA Eagles’ basketball team earned the first state team title in any IHSAA-sanctioned sport since Culver joined in 1974, beating three top 10 teams and setting a record for the most wins in a season – 23.

THE

MISSION

page

30

Culver educates its students for leadership and responsible citizenship in society by developing and nurturing the whole individual – mind, spirit, body – through an integrated curriculum that emphasizes the cultivation of character.

VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES

Developing Cultural Competency: A View from the True North

At Culver we’re blessed with a great richness of backgrounds and experiences; our students and teachers hail from 23 countries and 38 states. But simply having people from a variety of backgrounds is no guarantee that we’ll develop the competencies our students will need, especially given the developmental issues of early adolescence. For example, earlier this year, I had a conversation with a freshman whose roommate’s home is 5,000 miles away from north central Indiana. After chatting for a while, the freshman sheepishly admitted he didn’t know a thing about his roommate’s country, and furthermore, he’d never gotten around to asking him any questions about it. (I don’t think the young man was all that unusual. There are many other, more pressing issues that tend to occupy the minds of 14 year olds!)

Our challenge and opportunity, of course, is to accept our students where they are, while also gently prodding them to aim a little bit higher. In this same spirit, when it comes to developing competence in this area, I think we will all become more aware if we try to keep our eyes and ears wide open and occasionally ask a question or two.

For years Dean Lynn Rasch has been organizing GPS (Global Pathways Spring) program trips, and the students who are GPS veterans often point to their time abroad as life changing. For some, it was akin to a religious experience; it was as if their eyes were opened and they saw life from a radically different perspective. More than one student has observed that while the people they get to know from less

4

SPRING 2018

affluent countries may not possess the same material resources we have, they seem strangely happier, in part because they have a stronger sense of community. That’s something worth a good ponder!

Ryan Smith Photography

F

ormer NAIS president Pat Bassett believes that for today’s schools “The 6 C’s” (creativity, character, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and cross-cultural competencies) are the modern equivalent of “reading, writing, and arithmetic.” That final C is the focus of this alumni magazine issue, and asking how a school teaches cultural competency is worth an exploration.

While I am something less than a world traveler myself, I’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time abroad; I recently lived in Canada for 12 years. If you are like most Americans, you may not know much about our gentle northern neighbor. Neither did I. A quick quiz: Who was Canada’s last prime minister? (Answer below and hint: It wasn’t Dudley Do-right!) I thought I was moving to northern Minnesota when I first landed in Toronto, but I soon learned that Canada is not derivative; it has a distinctive, somewhat subtle culture that involves a lot more than just hockey.

“To help our students flourish in an increasingly fast, flat, fluid, and pluralistic future, we want to provide them with the opportunity to develop their cross-cultural competencies while they are still Culver students.”

Ask Canadians about their national identity and you will quickly hear, “We’re NOT Americans!” And they’ll quickly add, “You should know that Neil Young is a Canadian!”

(We’ve all got our points of pride!) Canadians will quote Pierre Trudeau’s, “Living next to the USA is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” This sentiment is very much alive, by the way, especially given the recent talk about NAFTA and tariffs on steel and aluminum. A Canadian colleague put Trudeau’s thesis in his own way, “It’s like living next to your older, rich, bigger brother.” He nodded in agreement, good Canadian that he is, when I suggested, “And better looking, too?”

Canadians see history through a different lens. Not only did Canada “win” the War of 1812 (which is quite a feat, given that Canada didn’t come into existence until 1867!), but they point out that the war of 1776 was not a revolution because, as I was informed on several occasions, “The individuals who were rich in 1775 were still wealthy in 1785!” Canadians also like to point out, in a modest, unassuming way, that Canada has enjoyed an international outlook from its inception.

“While you were dealing with an internal issue, the American Civil War, we were already a part of a Commonwealth. We’ve always been connected to countries beyond our own.”

That Canadian sense of modesty, by the way, is pervasive.

When the Canadian Broadcasting Company tried to come up with the Canadian equivalent of “as American as apple pie,” the winning entry was, “as Canadian as possible, given the circumstances.”

I also can’t overstate the importance of hockey in Canadian culture. The NHL players’ strike a dozen years ago was a

minor inconvenience in the American sports world. For Canadians it was traumatic; the national news would often begin with “NHL Strike: Day 45!” Their constant monitoring of the players union’s maneuverings reminded me of American’s collective diligence during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. If you are of a certain age, you may recall that that traumatic event sparked ABC’s “Nightline,” which began with “America Held Hostage: Day….”

To capture just a small sense of Canada’s love of the game, I’ll end with a quick, almost absurd story. A Canadian friend and I were talking about formative experiences from our youths, and after I told him that my earliest memory was of JFK’s assassination, he nodded his head in an understanding way before saying, “I had something like that happen, too.

I was driving through Alberta, and I will ALWAYS remember the day. It was August 8, 1988, and I was listening to the radio when they suddenly announced that Wayne Gretzky had been traded from the Oilers to the Kings. I had to pull over to the side of the road and I wept…”

Need I say more? Canada is just different. But each and every culture has its own distinctive culture, its own attitudes and approaches, and ways of looking at the world. To help our students flourish in an increasingly fast, flat, fluid, and pluralistic future, we want to provide them with the opportunity to develop their cross-cultural competencies while they are still Culver students. I hope that someday we might be in a position to give each of them the chance to live and learn abroad, even if it is just for a few weeks, before heading off to college. Until then, we can at least encourage more students to ask their roommates a few more questions. Speaking of which, if you knew that the former Canadian prime minister is Stephen Harper, then the next poutine is on me!

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

5

Second Servings Feed the Needy A student collaboration with Culver staff members creates a program that reduces food waste while helping others in need.

people inside the food service industry and beyond. It has been featured in The Culver Citizen, The Pilot-News, WSBT news, Facilities Manager, a national in-house magazine, and Edible Michiana, a regional food publication.

Developed by Charles Mahoney ’18 (Cumming, Georgia), Sustainability Director Chris Kline ’82, and Food Service Director Lee Willhite, the program not only provides an avenue for Culver to cut its food waste significantly, but it also provides meals for the elderly and needy families in the community.

Chris Kline ’82 watches while WSBT News, from South Bend, does a feature story on the food repackaging program.

First, the snow fell. Then the rains came. And soon after, the Yellow River in nearby Plymouth, Indiana, was rolling over its banks at record levels. People who had never experienced flooding before were forced to leave their homes.

To help feed those families, the Marshall County Community Food Pantry turned to Culver Academies to help. Culver responded by providing 170 frozen meals comprised of unused food from the Lay Dining Hall. The meals were delivered by the Community Service Council members while they were in Plymouth helping residents with cleanup after the flood.

The frozen meals program has become a major success story for Culver, which has struggled with finding ways to cut food waste. Past attempts have not provided the desired results. But this plan’s initial success has proven so popular that it is drawing attention of

6

SPRING 2018

By repackaging its unused food and freezing it, Culver is able to provide it to different agencies for distribution to the elderly — ­ especially the lower income elderly — in the area. Since its inception, Mahoney said, the program has repackaged 1,648 meals (by

This plan’s initial success has proven so popular that it is drawing attention of people inside the food service industry and beyond.

Charles Mahoney ’18 is interviewed while sealing the meals during a repackaging session.

March 5) that can be reheated.

Each meal includes a main dish and two sides.

The menu has included baked ziti, chickenand-noodles, and turkey tetrazzini.

Chef Amy Collins also whipped up a Mexican-style casserole using leftover taco meat.

The food is untouched surplus in serving trays. It can be reheated and served one time to students. In the past, the food would have been thrown out after that. The new program, though, has student waiters filling the food containers and using a heat-sealer to secure a plastic cover on them. A label detailing what is in the meals and reheating instructions is then placed on them.

The dinners are then placed in Culver’s walk-in freezers in the Lay Dining Hall and the Orthwein Dining Hall at Woodcraft Camp until they are delivered by the dining hall staff twice a week to the participating agencies:

Culver Meals on Wheels, the Culver Food Pantry, and Forest Place, an elderly retirement community. Each person receiving a lunch through the Culver Meals on Wheels program is now receiving one of the frozen meals for dinner. Since they are frozen, the meals are good for up to six months.

Mahoney, a Huffington Scholar, said he studied the food security issue in Tanzania as part of his work for the World Food Prize youth summit in Des Moines, Iowa. For his senior service practicum, he wanted to develop a program closer to home. Culver’s program is similar to one at Tufts University. Culver’s program was developed with assistance from nutritionist Tracy Fox, Marshall County Extension Educator Karen Richey, and the Marshall County Food Policy Council to ensure that food safety issues are met.

The equipment was donated

by Oliver Manufacturing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the understanding that the materials would be purchased from the company. Kline said it costs approximately 30 cents Community Service Council members delivered 170 frozen per meal for the containers. meals to the Marshall County Mahoney also established the Food Pantry to use after residents of Plymouth were forced from system for evening waiters and their homes during the flooding other student volunteers to in late February and early March. assemble the meals five days a week after supper. The meals are delivered by community volunteers.

Mahoney’s initial research and trip to the World Food Prize was part of his AP World class project. The World Food Prize was founded in 1986 by Norman Borlaug, who received the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for developing several new strains of wheat and other grains that were drought and disease resistant. He was credited with saving 100 million people from starvation. Using his prize money from the Nobel Prize and other resources, he created the World Food Prize. In 1990, Iowa businessman/philanthropist John Ruan III ‘61, assumed sponsorship and established The World Food Prize Foundation. ­— Written by Jan Garrison

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

7

CULVER TEAM T

Shar

Racing lakeside provides strong competition and spectacular views.

I

f there has been a “mold” for Culver Academies’ reach and collaboration with the local community over the years, the Lake Max Triathlon, now in its sixth year, has broken it in spectacular fashion.

8

SPRING 2018

Not only has the annual August event come in just shy of the 500-participant mark and established itself on the national triathlon scene, but it has also seen an unprecedented continuity of partnerships between individuals

and organizations from the town of Culver, Lake Maxinkuckee community, surrounding area, and Culver Academies’ campus in support of important local causes.

TRIATHLON:

ring the Success This year alone, for instance, a total of $12,600 was divided among four groups at the Academies-hosted, USAT-certified triathlon: the Culver Lions Club, Culver Kiwanis Club, Culver Boys & Girls Club, and Culver Club of Culver.

Perhaps just as gratifying for organizers, the event — which includes a 400-meter swim, an 11-mile bike ride around the lake, and a 5 kilometer run through downtown Culver — flourished through the efforts of 140 volunteers, in addition to the Culver Military and Culver Community High School football teams. The Lions Club members handled registration, course support, and traffic; Kiwanians supervised the transition area and provided on-course support; the Boys & Girls Club staff supervised the kids’ race and the Culver Club provided the postrace meals and set up the entertainment.

During an ensuing “incubation stage” of discussing the triathlon idea with others and gathering a team to bring focus and energy to the notion, a set of four goals was developed: to conduct “a very healthy wellness event in a spectacular location,” to impact the community by bringing people to the town of Culver in a manner in which “everybody would benefit,” to bring alums and new people to the Culver Academies campus, and to provide funding to area humanitarian causes.

The first year’s event sought participation from 200 triathletes, a “pretty lofty goal” according to Neer, but one which was accomplished.

Five years later, the triathlon has reached the 500 participant mark, a milestone figure for all sprint triathlons. A children’s triathlon has

also been added, and in 2017, a duathlon was added, which offers another option for bicyclists and runners who prefer not to swim.

“We knew some past participants would move to that (duathlon),” Neer notes, “but actually most people who did that were new to Culver.”

From an Academies’ angle, Neer points out that the goal of bringing alumni back to campus has been facilitated through sending out notices to alums in a six-state area. Groups of Culver grads, he says, have flown in to spend the weekend together for informal “mini-reunions” centered around the event, and some have formed teams from across multiple states in order to participate.

“It’s just neat to see people step up and be involved in it,” says Culver Academies Wellness Director Dana Neer, the lead organizer and founder of the event. “And of course, all those organizations help out and are also helped, and continue to feed back into a cycle of giving and serving.”

Neer adds that, over the last six years, some $50,000 has been channeled into the local volunteer organizations from the triathlon.

He enjoys “participating in energetic events where people come together for a cause and do something worthwhile,” and began to contemplate an event along the lines of the Lake Max Triathlon a few years before the first one in 2011.

A wave of swimmers striving for an early competitive edge.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

9

The first of 10 waves takes off from shore. The naval pier provides a popular spot to view the races.

participate either as athletes or volunteers.

Nothing gets you moving like having your mom or dad, aunt or uncle cheer for you as you race down Main Street! The event captures all that is good about Culver — the beautiful surroundings, the caring people and the awesome community spirit.”

“This one event accomplished a lot of what we want to do with our student body, alumni base, and faculty and staff,” Neer explains, noting 21 faculty or staff members at Culver participated in this year’s event. “We are an institution that believes in mind, body, and spirit, and the triathlon speaks to what we believe in. You train, you keep healthy, and mentally, you stay attuned to focus on the event, and engage with other great people around you.”

With 150 meters to go, runners emerge from Sally Port and catch their first view of the finish line.

“The triathlon is a wonderful event for our family and our community,” says Chris Kline ’82, whose perspective encompasses not only that of an alum and local resident, but also as

10

SPRING 2018

a current faculty member in the Leadership department and director of Culver’s Sustainability program. “In previous years, we have had more than a dozen family members

Those goals are furthered with the good work done through the funds raised. The Culver Club of Culver, for example, helps area children attend Culver’s Junior Woodcraft Camp and the Culver Boys & Girls Club. Culver’s longstanding Lions Club holds an array of child-

“We are an institution that believes in mind, body, and spirit, and the triathlon speaks to what we believe in.”

– Culver Academies’ Wellness Director Dana Neer centered events in the community and also helps underwrite local high school students’ joining Academies students on the annual mission trip to Mexico, a transformative collaboration for individuals participating, as well as one which strengthens relations between the two schools. The Culver Kiwanis Club, among its many other endeavors, provides scholarships for local high school students from both Culver Academies and Culver Community Schools. The Culver Boys & Girls Club has seen remarkably high

Exiting the swim transition area, bikers depart for their 11 mile route around Lake Maxinkuckee.

Culver, suggests that, “What helps is that Dana and his wife, Joni, are so selfless and unassuming and both roll their sleeves up and work as many hours, ‘leading by example.’

“As a volunteer, I am thrilled by the triathlon’s year over year, growing success and the inspiration it gives me…it’s Kumbaya at its ultimate pinnacle,” he adds.

Over 90 children participated in the kids’ triathlon. Their swim, bike and run are contained on campus.

membership from its host site at the Culver Elementary School, where it provides afterschool and summertime recreation, homework help, healthy meals, and other services for area children.

Dick Swennumson N’60,’63, active for years in both the Kiwanis Club and Culver Club of

Kathy Lintner, of the Culver Lions Club, echoes his sentiments. “The Lions’ motto is ‘We serve,’ and being a part of the triathlon has been one more opportunity for us to serve our community. We enjoy partnering with the other service clubs, like Kiwanis and the Boys & Girls Club, because every cent we earn goes back into the local community to help those in need.”

“So the money just circulates back into the community, not just for physical help but for stronger families and goal-oriented people who see the value of helping other people

And, he adds, the community as a whole seems to have taken ownership of the Lake Max Triathlon.

“It’s interesting; when this was first launched into the community, I think the community thought the idea was novel; it was nice. But within three years it was very satisfying to see the community begin to own it. Within five years’ time we’re embracing it — we believe in it. It’s almost like a reunion; it has a family feel. Everybody benefits from being together, and so much sharing goes on: sharing of space, of energy, of funding.”

Neer pauses before adding, on a definitive note: “I think ‘sharing’ is the operative word.”

More information about the August 11, 2018 Lake Max Triathlon may be found online at www.trisignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/ LakeMaxTriathlon.

­— Written by Jeff Kenney

because they’ve been helped,” Neer says.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

11

Prof es

,

th

nal grow o i s

.

RAVEL RLD T O W

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP IS A SKILL that Culver strives to develop in both students and adults. Through professional development resources available to faculty and staff for travel and cultural immersion, and the cultural and humanitarian reach of the annual spring GPS trips, their literal passport opens the way to a global gateway experience, one that helps them experience the world with new eyes.

Rather than separate the adult and student trips into two articles, they are laid out in a side-by-side format for readers to compare their similar yet diverse experiences and reflections.

To navigate the article effectively, the Professional Growth stamp (above) refers to the adult professional development travel and the Global Pathways stamp (below) refers to the student spring GPS trips.

5

Globa Pathw l ays

In search

A section of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England

of

something more not all those who wander are lost.. .

There is a minor migration that occurs each summer.

It’s not birds or butterflies heading north or south. Rather, it’s Culver faculty traveling across the country and around the globe, from the known to the unknown, to pursue professional development opportunities.

It’s a practice that Culver encourages and funds. Every year, interested faculty submit an application and make their case for a summer experience that will spark continued personal and professional growth and learning, and aligns with the faculty member’s annual goals.

The goal-setting process itself is unusual for a college preparatory school. Goals are determined through individual conversations with the department chair in a thoughtful and labor-intensive process that codifies them in conversation first and then in print. The process results in a clear pathway that faculty members can trace over the years to see how much they have stretched the boundaries of their vision.

The summer excursion serves to keep the faculty member up to date with changes occurring in their field of study. It refreshes and renews them before the start of the fall term.

And it provides gains in wisdom and knowledge they can pass on to their students and colleagues.

Whatever the purpose and outcome, each one returns with a changed perspective.

In the summer of 2017, four journeys found eight faculty members traveling to Chile, England, Italy and Tanzania.

Dr. Angela Meyer, Senior Instructor in Science, visited observatories in Chile as part of the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program. Kevin Danti, Senior Instructor in Humanities, trekked nearly the entire 73 miles of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. Andrew Strati, Senior Instructor in Humanities, and Hunter Wight, Instructor in Modern and Classical Languages (Latin), flew to Italy to lay the groundwork for a Global Pathways Spring trip with students. And Dr. Kevin MacNeil, Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Science chair, Martin Engelbrecht, Mentor Instructor in Math, and Angie Strobel ’98 CGA, Residential Education Team Leader, spent three weeks in Tanzania working with teachers and students on STEM studies.

When the professional development trips occur overseas, as they did last summer, they bring the added benefit of a deeper understanding of the need for global citizenship and awareness. When a person becomes immersed in another culture, it culminates in a process of getting lost in order to find oneself. By experiencing the otherness of a culture, the commonalities a traveler shares with people of that culture become evident. How people navigate the differences in culture prompts personal reflections on the topic. The result is that the world traveler comes back renewed with a host of experiences to share with others.

It’s a halo effect that carries on long after the last plane leaves the runway.

5

l a b s o y l G wa h t a P rld o to W d oa hip R a ns g n di Citize l i Bu

The genesis of broad, far-reaching ideas often take root in local soil.

When the Rev. Tom Steffen arrived on campus in 1986 as Culver’s chaplain, he immediately saw the opportunity to design a service-learning program that moved beyond the scope of simply teaching students the value of social responsibility. He also wanted them to learn from developing nations and wondered, “Could the emphasis be learning and not simply service?”

Three ideas guided his thinking: the first was a phrase from the Rev. Richard Rohr, who in the late 1970s thought that “We do our best work ‘from the edge of the inside.’ ” When we stand only in the center, we are too close and only hear ourselves, he believed. When we stand wholly on the outside, we lack the power to make lasting impact. It is only when we work “from the edge of the inside, that sweet spot of learning and leading, that we are at our best.”

The second idea came from Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, whose concept of “overhearing” and indirect communication theory played an important role in shaping the goal of short-term mission trips. By having students physically engaged in the task of constructing houses, painting or repairing a roof, and working shoulder to shoulder with people from other cultures, “the physical act triggers other cultural learning that might otherwise be missed.”

The final idea, which became the single most important ingredient of the program, came from Max Warren, general secretary of the Church Missionary Society and canon of Westminster Abbey: “Our task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion is to take off our shoes, for the place we are approaching is holy. Else we may find ourselves treading on the dreams of others.”

With these three ideas as his baseline, Steffen started gauging student interest in a service opportunity, talking to adults who shared his vision and reaching out to contacts to find opportunities that could happen over school breaks. He also worked closely with Student Life, the Health Center and the administration to craft the first domestic mission trips and road test his assumptions.

From 1988-1992, he led one “spring break in mission” team that rotated between Tampa, Florida, working on inner-city daycare buildings, and Johns Island, South Carolina, repairing houses for local residents. That quickly evolved into other domestic sites across the United States, such as Nogales, Arizona, New York City, and Tyler, Texas. Building on that success, Steffen marshaled support for trips abroad that began in Reynosa, Mexico in 1993 and expanded to locations like Cuba, Israel, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico,

Guatemala and Croatia. Assured and proud of its ongoing success, Steffen stepped out of the program in 2007.

His legacy is still vibrant, and though the name was changed to Global Pathways Spring Program in 2012 to reflect the broader cultural and humanitarian reach of the trips, the concept of immersing oneself in another culture, being open to other perspectives, reflecting on the experience through writing and discussion, and engaging in a service learning project, are all intact. The powerful impact of global cultural experiences on students led to recipients of full merit scholarships — the Frank Batten Scholars, Duchossois Family Scholars, Huffington Scholars, Judd Little Scholars and George Roberts Scholars — being afforded the opportunity to select a spring trip during their 10th grade year; for many it was their first venture outside of the United States.

Dean of Girls Lynn Rasch’76, assumed the GPS coordinator leadership role in 2007. Her love of travel began at Culver as a student when she met other students from around the U.S. and the world. As a staff member in Horsemanship for six years, she traveled to Europe on four trips prior to the start of the formal spring break mission trips. The added service learning component that Steffen added appealed to her, and she has been a part of the mission trips ever since.

This spring was her 19th trip abroad with Culver students and her 17th year leading trips. She is still passionate about the trips and believes strongly that “providing service for others, walking in others’ shoes, and learning about the history, tradition and culture by visiting another country opens the minds, hearts and spirits of Culver adults and students and helps them become responsible global citizens.”

Under Rasch’s tenure the past decade, 1,215 students have traveled to 23 countries and seven states. The inclusion of the faculty and staff chaperones, parents, siblings and Culver patrons who accompany them expands that figure to 1,572. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Culver students traveling abroad during spring break. There are students from 14 states and six countries, traveling to eight different countries.

These trips have had a distinctive halo effect. Once they return to Culver, the students and adults think and act differently. The borders of the world no longer exist for them. They recognize differences among cultures but focus on what unites them as human beings.

As Chief International Director Tony Giraldi ’75 puts it, “in a world where people want to build walls, Culver is building bridges.”

,

.

h

Profes s

al grow n t io

EL TRAV D L R WO

hiking hadrian’s wall England – Kevin Danti

Can you imagine what it was like to go from Damascus all the way to Hadrian’s Wall at the age of maybe 9 or 10 in service? I found that to be intriguing. I want to resurrect those stories in a meaningful way for my students.”

Yet the journey went much deeper for Danti than just creating a new course or bringing his discoveries into the classroom. It was a journey of the spirit as well.

Vindolanda excavation of a Roman fort.

Hadrian’s Wall in England is described as the “northern frontier of a mighty empire that once covered the known world.” It was built by the Romans in the first part of the second century to mark the northernmost reach of their empire. Today, this stone and turf wall is a World Heritage Site and a frequent destination for visitors, some of whom trek the entire 73 miles of the wall, from the Irish Sea on the west to the North Sea on the east.

One Culver Humanities instructor spent 26 days doing just that. The primary impetus for his backpacking journey, said Kevin Danti, was a desire to develop an archeology course at Culver.

“I’m quite passionate about archeology,” he said. “Being able to understand objects and how stories are communicated through an object is fascinating. Taking that object and not only placing it in a specific context, like a room, but also in this larger context of time and space, in essence, beckons to me the notion of globalism.”

Danti planted himself for a few days at Vindolanda, an archeology site of a Roman fort and where, at the time of their discovery, the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain were found.

“Letters found at Vindolanda communicate with people across the empire,” he said. “For example, there were Syrian archers living there.

16

SPRING 2018

“To be able to take a walk on a pilgrimage and just immerse yourself into a culture or society, without the tourist effect, seemed interesting to me,” he said. “I spent a lot of time in the pubs and I stayed in the small camping barns, so I got to meet a lot of people from around the world. There’s this wonderful cosmopolitan world that exists beyond the rhetoric of today’s news and politics. Globalism exists at a micro level, undetected.”

Danti kept a journal of many of his experiences on the excursion, as well as some of the conversations he held in his head with a former mentor from Purdue University.

“Gordy Young was my model of a teacher,” Danti said. “He didn’t educate himself for himself. He educated himself as a way of sharing that knowledge with his students. In many ways, when we change our perspectives as teachers, we not only have a responsibility, but we’re enhanced when we share our new perspectives with our students. I’m a narrative teacher, so many of these stories come into the classroom and oftentimes serve as a vehicle to a bigger lesson.”

Kevin Danti standing on a British Camp site from the Iron Age.

European Union: Out of conflict, compromise The 22 students on Team EU explored the European Union’s evolving present by experiencing its multicultural heritage through art, language, food and history, especially with the 100th anniversary year of the end of World War I. By visiting a wide selection of monuments and cultural sites, the students learned how the European Union emerged out of conflict and compromise, as well as discovering the WWI connections to Culver.

The first day in Ghent, Belgium, was spent learning about the three provinces and official languages, which differ within each one, and taking a walking tour of the city. The next day began with a visit to the Flanders Field American Cemetery in Ypres and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele. Through interactive experiences with the dugout system and life in the trenches and exhibits on how WWI affected the soldiers, students got a clear idea of the scale and intensity of the war, as well as the lasting effects that a global war had on millions of people. This effect was intensified when the group viewed Menin Gate, a massive arch with

targeted questions such as, “What are the requirements for countries wanting to join the EU?” or “Why does Russia want to be part of the United Nations but not NATO?”

5

They also spent time at the U.S. Mission Students at the European Union with Chargé d’Affaires to the Euro(and Acting Ambassador) Adam Shub. pean Union, talking with The day ended with a trip to the Musee the charge d’affaires and acting amde la Reddition, where the first surrender bassador about their jobs and learning treaty with Germany was signed in 1945. about the political, social and economic stakes the U.S. has in European countries.

The focal event of the last day in France Students asked queswas a visit to the Meuse-Argonne tions about topics Cemetery, where four Culver graduates like Brexit and the — Raymond B. Austin, James H. Canary, U.S. position on Great Willis S. Storer and Clarence F. Smith — Britain and the EU. who fought and died in WWI, are buried.

As the entire Culver group stood witness, After a day spent four Culver students conducted a wreath touring Trier, laying ceremony. Dylan Lewandowski Germany, Team EU ’18, Andrew Crowell ’18, Isabelle Landy visited Lycee Vauban, ’19 and Gretchen Isom ’20 took turns a French language laying a wreath on each grave and readschool in Luxembourg ing out words of remembrance for each City, Luxembourg. of the fallen soldiers. Taps was played by Both schools shared John Young ’18. information on the daily lives of students, Isabelle Landy ’19 captured the spirit of and Culver students the ceremony in these words, “Thoughts discussed the leaderare nothing without action, and what ship structure of both Honoring the WWI soldiers at Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. better way to express my gratitude than CGA and CMA. by participating in a ceremony where the sole purpose is to show respect and apTraveling on to France, Global Studies 50,000 names inscribed on it, dedicated preciation. By carrying out the ceremony, Institute Director Dr. John Buggeln gave to the missing British and Commonwealth we are ensuring that these soldiers do the group a crash course on the histosoldiers, all of whom marched through not go unremembered and we as a sociry of the Reims Cathedral, the place of the gate on the road to the war front. ety do not forget the atrocities of war.” coronations for French kings, as well Building on the museum visits, the group as a symbol of a peace pledge between Team EU left Europe with a deeper ungot a guided tour of the SHAPE (Supreme Germany and France in 1962. This was derstanding of the complexity of cultures Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) followed by a culinary lesson with two and viewpoints among the countries in NATO base, which houses 16,000 French chefs; students divided into small NATO and the EU, as well as the ability employees and families from all 29 groups and were assigned a specific task to look at issues through multiple lenses, nations and had the opportunity to ask to contribute to the final elegant meal. not a single focus.

Globa Pathw l ays

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

17

,

.

h

Profes s

al grow n t io

EL TRAV D L R WO

standing in the shadows of time Italy – Andrew Strati and Hunter Wight

Hunter Wight, an Instructor in Modern and Classical Languages, started studying Latin at 12 years old. Nearly two decades later, he stood among the colossal ruins of the Roman Forum, his first time in Italy, absorbing the significance of this grand, central place where people gathered 2,000 years ago.

“I just stood there and took it all in,” he said. “It was spiritual to just be there, to think about the people who had walked there, people I talk about every day in my classes at Culver.”

Hunter Wight with statue of Prima Porta Augustus.

From the capital, the two journeyed about 80 miles north to Spoleto, a small town in central Italy that lies in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains and that will serve as the hub for the spring trip. There, they met with the U.S.-based creators of the Spoleto Study Abroad consortium for independent schools, Lorenzo and Jill Muti, who helped them plan all aspects of the spring break adventure.

Strati and Wight visited eight hill towns in nine days, focusing on historical and cultural sites, and feeling a growing excitement at sharing the concept of global citizenship with their students.

“Over the last two years, we have revised our mission statement to specify that we want to build global citizens, not just fluency in a language,” Wight said. “For me, global citizenship begins and ends with empathy, and when you can understand other people, you are more likely to understand yourself.”

A hillside view of Spoleto.

Wight and Senior Instructor in Humanities, Andrew Strati, journeyed to Italy in June 2017 for the dual purpose of growing as educators and laying the groundwork for a 2018 Global Pathways Spring trip with students.

For Strati, “The trip strengthened my thread of the curriculum we teach. As I listened to Hunter describing the Forum, it was as if he was recreating it for me. I became the student.”

18

SPRING 2018

Strati agreed. “I hope this experience helps the students better understand other cultures and why people live the way they do.

They’ll have a greater chance at avoiding conflict or giving in to that knee-jerk reaction when they encounter something that is different.

It will be a lifelong lesson that they carry with them and I hope the trip brings alive what we are studying in class.”

Wight added, “Having been there, I feel I can explain the Forum much better now for the students. There is a completely different understanding when you’ve been there and you understand the scope and the scale. I hope the students will return with that feeling as well.”

Italy: the past is always present

The Team Italy group of 16 students visited Spoleto, where they studied the evolution of Italian art and society from its classical roots to the height of the Renaissance. Using the 15th century convent of St. Michael the Archangel as its home base, they explored the hill towns around Spoleto that defined central Italy: Ostia Antica, Perugia, Siena, Orvieto and Assisi, as well as trips to Rome and Florence.

An essential part of Italian culture is food and its preparation. The Culver group visited a local high school in Spoleto, Alberghiero, which specialized in tourism and hotel and restaurant management.

After a tour of the school, the Culver group teamed up with some Italian cooking students and worked with them to cook their lunch of homemade pasta and lamb, which the Italian students served to them.

The group left the school for their trip to the hill town of Assisi nearby, the home town of St. Francis. Students saw the Roman and Christian influences through the architectural structure of the churches and temples, as well as the cycle of frescoes painted on the walls of the Basilica of Saint Francis and his crypt, a blend of spiritual and artistic beauty.

Sunday gathering outside the Spoleto Cathedral.

Travel plans were revised to travel to Siena and Florence the next two days, after nearly everyone had recovered. The group learned about the fierce religious and political rivalry between the two cities and visited the Duomo, with

Settling into their home base at the convent, students began their next day with lessons in basic Italian and manners, which became a part of their daily routine, along with Roman culture lessons and journaling. The students also dedicated a portion of their stay helping the nuns prepare the grounds and gardens for spring planting.

An extended walking tour of Spoleto allowed the group to explore the Roman heritage of the amphitheatre, aqueduct, arch and restored Roman houses, as well as learn about the ancient politics that governed Spoleto and surrounding hill towns.

Group picture outside the Roman Coliseum.

its intricate colors and images on the walls and floors. They also roamed the huge central piazza, Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio horse race, and explored the 17 distinct city neighborhoods, each one with its own mascot, colors, flag and fountain.

The next day the group traveled to Florence, the city where Dante Alghieri lived, and learned about the powerful Medici family, their political and cultural influence, and their interest in the arts. The team split into three groups to explore their interests further.

5

The first stop after landing in Rome was a short trip to Ostia Antica, which served as a major harbor for ancient Rome, followed by a tour of the Via dei Fiori Imperiali which includes the Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, and the Roman Senate Building. Students were surrounded by ancient historical artifacts at every turn in the middle of a modern thriving city.

The best laid trip plans can change quickly, especially when a stomach bug sidelined all of the teachers, the tour guide and half of the students.

Students helping nuns clear the convent grounds.

Globa Pathw l ays

The final day in Spoleto was Easter Sunday, and the nuns prepared a special breakfast for the Culver group, with chocolate Kinder eggs wrapped up at each table setting and special citrus cakes infused with sugar. One group of students chose to attend the Easter service in the Spoleto church while others returned to explore the town one more time or pack.

As students reflected on their experience in central Italy, Gabe Henderson’20 summarized the global impact of the Spoleto trip in these words: “The people in Italy live like it’s their last day on earth; they make the most of every single day – greeting me, smiling or waving at me. While we were helping the nuns with yard work, they kept smiles on their faces, so I started smiling through the work too. Whenever I work, it’s a chore.

I vowed that day to change the way I work and live, which will open my eyes to learn in new ways.”

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

19

fighting poverty through education

Tanzania – Dr. Kevin MacNeil, Dr. Chris Carrillo, Martin Engelbrecht and Angie Strobel

“These children needed extra support, so I did several one-on-one counseling sessions and a couple group sessions,” she said. “I also accompanied the welfare officer on home visits.

Strobel also set up one hour leadership workshops with 5th – 7th graders, but they ran longer because “students kept asking questions and wanted to know more and more.”

Culver team posing with faculty from St. Jude.

A professional development day created by the Culver team was another highlight of the trip. The team sought first to understand the teachers’ major struggles and then to provide potential solutions.

“That was a good day,” Carrillo said. “We asked them, ‘What do you want? We are here for you.’ And we offered ways they could help their students perform better. It went really well.”

The Culver team meeting students at St. Jude.

Across the globe, Culver has been planting the seeds of global citizenship since its early years. Last summer, one more seed took root, this time in Tanzania as four Culver faculty and staff members journeyed to East Africa to collaborate with the School of St. Jude in Arusha.

Reflecting on the concept of global citizenship, Engelbrecht said one word sums it up for him: cooperation. “With the teacher I worked with, cooperation was my goal and I think it was his, too. People can cooperate even though their perspectives are different. It really wasn’t very hard to do.”

The trip was sponsored by a Culver alumnus, Evan Heckman ’06, who, through his family foundation, brought together his alma mater and Louisville (Kentucky) Collegiate School (LCS), which has a long-standing relationship with the School of St. Jude. A delegation comprising staff from both Culver and LCS made the journey.

Situated in an impoverished country, the School of St. Jude strives to fight poverty through education. Their partnership with U.S. schools is key to fulfilling that mission.

“I went to Tanzania to see firsthand the potential for an ongoing relationship between Culver and Louisville Collegiate and the School of St. Jude,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kevin MacNeil.

He noted, though, that the people were happy. “That really struck me. Though they were poor, they didn’t seem nearly as annoyed and unhappy as we are,” he said with a laugh.

Strobel, for example, partnered with a welfare officer who works with the poorest of the poor. She said the school averages about three children a month who lose a parent because of issues related to poverty.

20

SPRING 2018

Next spring, Strobel will return to Tanzania with students from Culver Girls Academy’s Leadership Committee for Africa, and the summer of 2018 will likely find another group of Culver staff on their way to the School of St. Jude.

al grow n o si

“We are optimistic that opportunities like Tanzania will become a model for Culver, MacNeil said. “We have a diverse international population and it’s important for our faculty to reflect that global perspective in their teaching.”

,

th

Over the course of three weeks, the four team members performed a variety of tasks based on the needs expressed by the school, including teaching math classes, setting up science experiments, sharing leadership practices, and counseling troubled students.

Angie Strobel surrounded by her students.

Profe s

Joining MacNeil were Dr. Chris Carrillo, Science chair, Martin Engelbrecht, Math, and Angie Strobel, CGA Residential Education Team Leader. Having grown up in India, Engelbrecht was struck anew by “how much of the world is just scratching to get by.”

“There are always others who see things differently, but not incorrectly,” Carrillo added. “It’s also about relationship and friendships. Every time you make a friend somewhere across the globe, you’re a better person, a stronger person. We absolutely need more good people reaching out to make more meaningful relationships.”

.

VEL D TRA L R WO

5

Tanzania: Put a little love in your heart

Team Tanzania’s 20 students began their work well before the plane took off for Africa. The students raised more than $3,500 in concessions money to help fund the trip and gather items that the girls at the School of St. Jude requested, more than 432 bras and 22 bags of donations filled with school A Culver and St. Jude student preparing to make supplies, shoes and sports tie dye shirts together. equipment.

Angie Strobel, a 1998 CGA graduate and CGA’s Residential Education Team Leader, has been on 13 GPS trips as an adult and two as a student. She traveled to Tanzania last summer with three other Culver faculty and knew the School of St. Jude was special and the kind of place she wanted to bring students to visit and develop a partnership.

The goat is a student gift for a Maasai family.

After arriving at the School of St. Jude, students took a brief tour of the campus and headed to the O’Brien School for the Maasai. Perry Huggins ’09, who works at the school, took the Culver group for a tour and then set aside time for the 4th and 7th year O’Brien students to interact and share with the students. They played basketball and soccer together and Culver students were able to buy handmade traditional Maasai goods from the tribal women.

The highlight was students buying three sheep, which they gave to families in

need; each sheep paid for a child’s full year tuition. Culver students had to work hard at running after the herd of sheep and trying to catch them. Afterward the group was asked to participate in the Maasai jumping ritual, which gauges a man’s power and manliness.

Soccer: the universal language.

Though it was Easter break, the St. Jude students came to school to meet the Culver students and participate in some icebreaker activities, allowing for multiple conversations and laughter. This was followed by an African drum lesson, learning the Tanzanian national anthem and singing.

Culver students split into teams and visited homes of elementary school students who live in Arusha. The students were welcomed into the small homes, and though the hosts were very poor, they offered each student food and drink. Friends and other family members crowded together to ask questions about Culver but also shared their sense of daily gratitude with their visitors.

The next day the group met with the head and founder of St. Jude’s School, Gemma Sisia. She discussed the state of education in Tanzania, and why she wanted to give as many children as possible a chance to learn. After the session, the students took a long bus ride to visit a Maasai family, stopping along the way to buy two goats as a gift. A team of Maasai assisted the group with translating and explaining the cultural norms.

The last day spent at St. Jude centered around an art class hosted by Mr. Kefis, the primary school art teacher, and the St. Jude students. The Culver team

Globa Pathw l ays paired up with the students to create a variety of tie dye shirts that they proudly showed off. Another round of home visits and reflections followed in the afternoon, giving Culver students a final opportunity to experience the Maasai culture.

The last three days of the trip were spent on safari, beginning at the Arusha National Park, where the group traveled in vehicles and saw more than 12 species of animals and birds; Lake Manyara, a national park near the edge of the Rift Valley, where the group saw up to 27 different animals and birds; and the final day at Ngorongoro Crater park, where there were 19 lion sightings.

The group spent their last night in Tanzania on the Smith campus of the School of St. Jude, and visited the Cultural Heritage Gallery the next morning before departing for home. Asked to reflect on what they learned from the trip, students focused mainly on education and happiness: Jacob Page ’20: “I learned that money is not the key to happiness and that these ’poor’ people are more spiritually and emotionally rich than anyone from America.”

A home visit with a Maasai family.

Jingwei (Ariana) Qin ’21: “I appreciate my own education even more. The kindness of these people makes me optimistic and hopeful. It encourages me to use my privilege and help people.”

Miriam (Mimi) Edith Servin Mosqueda’18: “We were able to see the reality and daily struggles of so many people to have a more dignified life for themselves.

They showed us that with persistence, determination and passion, everything is possible. Gratitude and appreciation should be the reality of not just a few, but all.”

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

21

Angela Meyer with some of the 66 telescope dishes in Chile.

,

.

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is a strip of land nestled between the vast Pacific Ocean and the soaring Andes Mountains.

With its high altitude and dry climate, the Atacama and the adjacent foothills offer incomparable views of the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky. In fact, science and astronomy instructor Dr. Angela Meyer described the view of the Milky Way as “nothing short of stunning.”

Maybe someday, I’ll even be able to take Culver students to Chile.”

In June 2017, Meyer joined a team of eight U.S. based outreach educators and astronomy specialists, along with one Chilean teacher, who composed the third cohort of the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP).

“One thing I wanted to bring back to my students is that communicating science is also an important skill,” she said.

ACEAP exists to inform amateur astronomers, planetarium personnel and K-college astronomy educators about Chile’s observational facilities and how to access and use the data being collected. In doing so, the program strives to create a community of ambassadors who will fulfill its vision for international collaboration.

Over the course of nine days, the team members immersed themselves in Chilean culture, were introduced to Chile’s burgeoning astro-tourism industry, taught students at two schools in San Pedro about the Apollo missions (“a real treat,” Meyer said), and had what she described as an “in-depth, once-in-a-lifetime, behind-the-scenes” opportunity to visit three preeminent, U.S.-funded observatories.

“This is the first time I’ve done something of this scale,” Meyer said.

“I’ve visited Chile twice before as part of my graduate studies, but this is the first time I’ve worked with students and teachers there. I’m hoping to return in the spring and spend more time at the schools. Right now I’m working toward establishing relationships and collaborations.

22

Profes s

Chile – Dr. Angela Meyer

h

reaching for the stars

al grow n t io

SPRING 2018

In the meantime, Meyer is passing along the knowledge she VEL RAgained Talso D L to her students. Building on her Chilean experience, she hopes R to create innovative, online resources that students WOcan continue to use, even contribute to, as they carry on with their formal and informal education in astronomy and science.

To that end, and in fulfillment of ACEAP’s goals, Dr. Meyer gave presentations on her Chilean trip at the The ACEAP team discussing astronomy Culver-Union Township education and outreach.

Library, Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and the Indiana Astronomical Society in Martinsville, south of Indianapolis. She also wrote a series of blog posts and is collaborating with an associate editor of Astronomy magazine, who was part of the group.

It was an incredible nine days that will have a lasting impact on all members of the team.

“The last night, before departing from Santiago, we met to reflect and enjoy one final evening as a whole team and to sow the seeds for future collaborations,” Meyer said.

Greece: Preserving Gaia (Mother Earth) for all countries to fight the problem together.

Traveling by ferry to a neighboring island, Lipsi, with the Archipelago staff members, the students learned how to conduct marine life surveys.

They split into two groups and counted dolphins and recorded the amount of trash or flying birds they saw, and then compared notes.

Armed with this new knowledge, the students divided into three groups and collected as much trash off the beaches as possible. They filled 12 huge bags in an hour, including fish net, glass, and cans, and then debriefed by group leaders. Students got a firsthand look at ocean pollution and why it is so critical

Students enjoying a traditional Greek lunch.

The last day at Samos was spent at the Archipelago Institute with students engaged in three interactive workshops: the preservation of deep sea habitats through maintaining healthy sea grass and algae; a group conversation with Institute leaders on their plans to save the seas, and collecting microplastic water samples and listening for dolphins.

Collecting microplastic water samples off the coast of Samos.

The leaders’ final challenge to Culver students was to take these lessons back and make real ecological changes on their campus. The return to Athens was spent visiting the Acropolis museum and then hiking up to take panoramic shots of the modern city below.

Students took time to reflect on their experience in Greece and connect it to global citizenship. Abby Ericson’18 captured what several others expressed about the trip: “By understanding and accepting the (cultural) differences, I have found that protecting the environment, interacting with people despite the language barriers, and helping others in need define global citizenship. Although I am on a small island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, I acknowledge the vastness of this planet and the similarities that all human beings share.”

Glo Pat bal hw ays

5

The next day was an eventful one for Team Greece. They Students taking a vigorous hike around the island of Lipsi. walked to the island school and met 42 students, most of whom Team Greece’s odyssey began with a two did not speak English. Once they heard and a half day delay due to an untimely that there were more students at Culver Air France strike. Luckily, they were in than there were on Lipsi’s entire island, Paris and arrangements were made for they were amazed and wanted to learn them to experience the city landmarks more. It was the icebreaker that led to through a walking tour, and a visit to practicing English and Greek among all Versailles, home of King Louis XIV and of the students. toured the palace and gardens.

Teaming up with the Archipelago The 25-student team flew to Athens the Institute staff in cold, rainy weather, third day, where they got a panoramic the Culver group took a one-hour walk tour of the city, including the Panathenaic around the rugged coastline of the island Stadium (Home of the first Olympic and back, totaling almost 10 miles.

Games), the temple of Zeus, the temple They learned more about the Institute’s of Hephaestus, the Academy of Athens, building a marine sanctuary on the island and the Roman Agora. Filled with modern for marine mammals in captivity or those restaurants and ancient ruins, each stuwho were injured. dent was able to see and feel the living Once back from the bruising hike, the history of ancient and modern Greece Culver students socialized with the Lipsi co-existing in the same space. They were students, working on their Greek and also able to start connecting the lessons teaching them English phrases, dancing, from freshman humanities class, with its playing basketball, volleyball and soccer focus on the cardinal virtues and ethics. and taking lots of selfies. At the end of After a late night ferry ride to the island of Samos and a sleep-in the next morning, the group met with conservationists at the Archipelagos Marine Institute, a Greek organization whose mission is protecting the ecological balance of Greece’s oceans and beaches. The staff described the work they do to protect the marine environment, the challenges from pollution and trash they face, and discussed the local species, such as dolphins, turtles and whales.

the visit, the students felt that “language barriers can be overcome. They made a big world seem small and we were all greatly appreciative of the time we spent with them.”

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

23

The first day the teams met their families and began ground work to start constructing their future houses. Team four was able to lay bricks on several walls and even out the ground inside the house.

With more bricks laid, concrete mixed and ground leveled, today was another productive day.

My team loves the family we are helping! There are four kids so our break times on the site are filled with playing soccer or giving them piggyback rides. Today we Students laying bricks for the walls of a new house. built the walls so high that we worked on makeshift scaffolding The Mexico trip has the longest track to continue to build the walls up. record in GPS history, going back 23 years. Fourteen years ago, Tony Giraldi ’75, Chief International Director, and Karla Hernandez SS ’81 Associate Director International, invited students at the Culver Community Schools to join the team and work together for a common cause, a successful venture that drew both communties together. The Culver Lions Club also makes a financial contribution to each student who goes on the trip and invites them to speak to the Lions Club members and share their experience.

The trip has evolved over the years, separating from the Habitat for Humanity. The number of houses has grown from two to four each year, bringing the total to 64 houses over the last 14 years.

Local families applying for their first home are required to work alongside the Culver teams. In addition, a stove-building project was started to help provide proper ventilation in cooking sheds that burn wood.

This year Team Mexico traveled to Puerto Escondido in the Oaxaca province to construct four new homes for impoverished families. There was also an ongoing senior service project called Love Without Borders, led by Hannah Luo ’19 and Arthur Shen ’19, who raised more than $2,000 for 60 local children, which was used to buy school supplies, backpacks and tennis shoes.

Rachael Dodson ’18 of team four chronicled the house building process on the Culver blog so readers could see the dayto-day progress. Here is a record of her team’s journey:

24

SPRING 2018

We did not work on the sites today because we participated in the LoveWithout Borders program at the local school.

All of the children were super excited to show us some dances and to play with us. After games and dances, we started handing out the book bags full of shoes, candy, and school supplies. This was such a humbling experience. I also reunited with my family and the little girl on my worksite from last year. Many people of the community made delicious food for this gathering. After a relaxing afternoon, we headed to a sea turtle preserve in La Barra where we released 40 baby sea turtles into the ocean.

We were able to build up multiple walls, as well as start on a new one. With shovels and a wheelbarrow, we leveled out the floor in one room and the outside of the house.

Day six was our fourth and final construction day. The house will not be completely finished for another few months, but our

Glo Pat bal hw ays

5

Mexico: Building Bridges, Forging Friendships

few days here have sped up the process and provided some extra help.

Today was the last full day of the Mexico GPS trip. The teams were able to visit two houses that were built the previous year during spring break. They spent the afternoon at the closing ceremony, where the teams and their families took pictures, ate delicious food prepared by parents, played with the kids and said goodbye.

Two other Culver students and one CCHS student expressed their feelings about how the trip shaped their perspective:

Culver students mingling with Mexican children for the Love Without Borders Day.

Hannah Luo ’19: “The most inspiring aspect of the trip was not simply seeing the priceless smiles of Culver students and kids, but rather witnessing the overwhelming support from our own community, encouraging us, driving us and helping us to truly make an impact on the world.”

Erin Anderson’19: “I came on this trip thinking that I would be giving kids a home and making a difference, and while I was doing that, these kids and families were making a difference in me. I now understand what it means to be happy and grateful for the opportunities I have been given by Culver and my family. I am forever changed.”

Cody Rieckhoff from Culver Community Schools: “This trip has changed me by making me more appreciative of what I have and opened my eyes to a new world. It makes me want to help those I can and continue to explore the globe.”

LEFT: The Service Walk, celebrating the work and friendships developed in building new homes for local families.

Mark Twain, a seasoned world traveler for his time period, declared that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness… Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” By venturing outside of their comfort zones to experience global cultures, Culver students and adults have willingly embraced the cultural lessons with open minds and hearts through action and connection.

Whether retracing Roman soldiers’ footsteps on Hadrian’s wall; gazing at the stars from a Chilean observatory in the Andes mountains; planning and leading a cultural and historical trip through central Italy; or fighting African poverty through education and cultural understanding, adults have not only enriched their own understanding but also found ways to share it with their students and colleagues.

conclusion: Travel is fatal to prejudice Whether standing in a WWI cemetery in France honoring fallen Culver soldiers; building a first home for Mexican families in Oaxaca; sitting in a crowded Maasai home sharing food and stories; cleaning beaches on the island of Samos; or clearing the grounds in an Italian convent for spring planting, students have breached the walls of culture and begun the foundation for new understandings.

Both groups have started what the Rev. Tom Steffen found most compelling — leading “from the edge of the inside.” Brick by brick, conversation by conversation, smile by smile, they are building a new road as they walk on it, one that will redefine them as citizens of the world.

The Professional Growth section was written by Kathe Brunton, and the Global Pathways was written by Kathy Lintner with contributions from student bloggers, GPS team leaders, Rev.Tom Steffen and Dean of Girls Lynn Rasch.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

25

Bliss and

BLISTERS A Life With Horses

Mythologist Joseph Campbell urged his fans “to follow your bliss and put yourself on a track that has been there all the while, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. Doors will open where there were no doors before.”

Talking about it and doing it, however, are two different stories, because there is no bliss without blisters. The two are always intertwined. Identifying the path to bliss is the first critical step, but for every person, there must be a journey and trials before the prize can be rightfully claimed.

Jill Curtis ’03 knew what she loved from the time she was 6 years old — horses. Her mother, Suzanne, had a horse when she was young and wanted her only daughter to take lessons. Her father, Ed, came from a long line of horsemen and his father owned horses. Jill started riding at a local farm in Culver when her family was at their lake home. When they returned to Attica, Indiana, she signed up for lessons at a stable in Lafayette, where she was a regular rider until she left to attend Culver.

Jill’s parents were her most stalwart supporters of her growing love for horses, but they were also very firm about instilling a fierce independent spirit and hard work ethic in her. Jill laughingly describes herself as becoming very “headstrong” and independent as a result. They were her biggest fans, attending as many of her events as possible.

Kris Myers Little ’75, Jill’s first coach at Culver, remembers the first horse show that Jill rode in at Niles, Michigan, where she won or placed in all of her classes. Her father, Ed, put all of the ribbons she had won, many of which were blue, on his shirt and walked around the show grounds with a big smile, much to the delight of his wife, Suzanne.

Jill’s love for horses deepened as she learned not just how to ride them but also to be responsible for their well-being and training.

26

SPRING 2018

She admired their athleticism and the fact that as huge as they are, they choose to do what she asks of them. They also taught her that being firm but kind are tandem words, not opposites. She has never lost her sense of wonder about these “magnificent creatures.”

Her family has a long history with Culver. Her older brother, Geoff, attended two summers of Woodcraft Camp in 1977 and 1978.Two sons, Sam ’13 and Geoff ’16, are Winter School graduates. A third son, Henry, will be a ’20 graduate — all in Battery. Jill’s other brother, Trevor, attended Woodcraft in 1978 and graduated from Battery in 1987.

It was natural that Jill would follow in their footsteps. She attended Woodcraft Camp for three summers and later matriculated at Winter School in 1999. Dean and Equestriennes Coach Lynn Rasch CGA ’76 was her counselor, as well as her coach for four years. She describes Jill as “an ambitious and dedicated rider, always seeking out constructive criticism in order to hone her riding skills.” Jill was a member of the varsity polo team, jumping team and Equestriennes’ captain her senior year. Rasch recalls her as being “one of the best captains she ever worked with, always diligent and providing constructive advice and support to the team.” Jill was also patient and kind when helping less experienced riders grow and learn, she added.

The capstone experience for Jill was having the privilege of riding in the 2001 Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. She remembers being one of a few girls allowed to ride a black horse. Rasch gave her the responsibility of riding a spirited and challenging horse named Jack, and she “loved his antics and the challenge of riding a difficult animal. He was a star during the Inaugural Parade, and I credit his familiarity and comfort with me as the reason why he was so good.”

77

&

Jill Curtis ’03 has never lost her sense of wonder about these “magnificent creatures.”

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

5

When Jill was a 14-year-old freshman, she knew that she wanted her life’s work to be training horses, but she thought that she would need to become a veterinarian first. She credits two Culver Horsemanship instructors, Beth Puskas and Crystal Matusevich, for teaching her the different aspects of training horses and caring for them. They were her female role models, showing her that her dream could come true if she worked hard and took responsibility for her horses.

Puskas recalls Jill as the “lucky” rider who was assigned the difficult Jill’s love of horses started at an early age. horses. If she was not assigned that horse, she would ask to be. If she was thrown, she remounted so quickly, it was as if she never left the horse’s back.

“She was happiest riding when she could go off by herself, working privately with her horse,” Puskas continues. “I am fortunate to have been a part of her early career and now to watch proudly as she makes her way down a destined path of success, all the time maintaining the heart and strong character that are valued by horses and humans alike.”

Jill with Culver horse, Jack, at the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Parade.

Matusevich knew Jill as a student and is still in touch with her. She remembers that Jill was always in the barn on weekends, “and would ask me what she could do to help, whether it was helping horses in need of medical/injury care, hand-walking them across the road to the grass paddocks so they could get extra turnout, sitting with a sick horse, cleaning, or doing extra rides. She never felt that she was above any task that needed to be done. Her humbleness, determination, willingness to keep learning, and strong work ethic were traits she carried forward in her horse training and in opening up her own show barn.”

Jill’s summers during high school were never wasted. She earned her blisters by getting more hands-on experience with horses, first spending a summer in Kentucky working for a polo player and vet.

She got the job, packed her car, and since she had just earned her driver’s license, drove south on her own. The following summer

28

SPRING 2018

she saw an ad in The Chronicle of the Horse for a working student experience in Clinton Corners, New York, working 7 days a week for $50 a week, from 5 a.m.-7 p.m. She sent her resumé and a riding video, accepted the job and then told her parents. She still remembers her mother standing in the driveway crying as she drove away, but she also knew that her parents understood her need to learn more about her craft.

A day after graduating from Culver, she loaded up her truck and headed to Virginia, carrying the lessons of Culver and the summer experiences with her. Though she worked for many professional riders and barns over the next 10 years, the ones that were most influential were Todd Minkus, who helped develop her riding style and basic understanding of taking care of high level competition horses; and former Olympic rider, Mona Garson, who helped Jill start her teaching career and hone her customer service skills.

Jill also attended the University of Virginia and University of Connecticut to pursue more equine training and play polo.

Jill’s moment of Jill riding Liam, currently owned by one of her clients, the Keyworth family. “following her bliss” to another level occurred after she quit a job at a hunt club, intending to work for a big name horse professional in Florida. Her customers approached her and persuaded her to remain in Connecticut, with the promise that they would commit to bringing their horses to her. Though she had not thought of opening her own hunter jumper barn, she figured that if there was ever a time to start a business, this was it.

It was a daunting challenge for her, but Jill approached it with the same deep commitment and hard work that are the trademarks of her career and Culver education. She leased a facility for five years in East Haddam, Connecticut, and grew the business from eight horses to 25. Since she moved to the new facility, Larimar Show Stables, in Deep River, Connecticut, in 2012, the number of horses has increased to 37, and she has retained almost all of her original customers. The facility offers training, boarding, lessons and sales, and the show team travels locally and nationally on the “A” show circuit.

But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story. It’s the commitment to her clients, who range in age from 3 to 85 and reflect a wide range of experience. Jill and her staff feel “lucky and grateful to each client

because they show dedication, support and focus every day when they come through our doors… it’s the bonds and heart within that sets us apart from the rest.” On her website, she refers to this as the “barn family,” the personal relationship she establishes with all of her staff and cusJill posing on Tennessee, a 4 year old Hungarian tomers. Though not warmblood, with her assistant trainer, Shannon a model often seen McDonald, and her dog, Bailey. in the horse world, Jill remembers how important the concept of “brotherhood and sisterhood” affects relationships, something she learned at Culver. She feels that if people know her and her morals, they will trust her in a business relationship. And above all, she knows that successful learning hinges on the comfort and trust that people — and horses —

cultivate with each other. A personal example of the sense of “barn family” that Jill cultivated is when she bought back the first quarter horse she had ever ridden as a child, Azzy, whom she still loved. She wanted to care for Azzy in her final years and give her a comfortable end of life experience.

Jill’s lifelong love for horses put her on a track at age 6 to “follow her bliss.” Each experience in her life has been a stepping stone, leading to more expertise, more confidence and finally, ownership of her own show barn. There were and still are a parade of “blisters” created through her relentless work schedule, dedication to learning her craft and sharing her passion with others.

The word “Larimar” is a turquoise stone that means “overcoming challenges,” the name of Jill’s first investment horse that a group bought for her before she opened the show barn. It is a fitting reminder to her of how many challenges she has faced on her journey but also the confidence and respect she has earned in the horse world. Her avocation and vocation are the same, much as ancient people believed that the horse and rider were one. Jill is living the life that she dreamed of, and as long as she keeps hard work, personal responsibility and gratitude at the center of all she does, doors will continue to open where there were none before.

— Written by Kathy Lintner

Jill refers to this as the “barn family,” the personal relationship she establishes with all of her staff and customers.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

25

A Y EAR OF AT H L E T I C E X C ELLE NC E

The Culver Military Academy basketball team winning the IHSAA Class 3A championship may be the most visible of Culver’s athletic achievements this school year, but it also represents the pattern of success the student-athletes have been generating since arriving in early August.

The CMA Prep lacrosse team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation since the end of the 2017 season. As of April 25, the team is undefeated at 17-0 and bested four top 10 teams, including a thrilling triple overtime victory over No. 2 The Hill Academy.

To date, 35 student-athletes have made collegiate commitments.

They will play soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, softball, hockey, wrestle, and row at NCAA Division I and III schools. Culver Academies was also cited as one of just 12 schools of the 323 in Indiana to win over 80 percent of its combined football and basketball games this year.

Here are some other examples of how well the teams and some individuals have done so far this year:

CMA Prep hockey set a school record for the most number of wins, finishing the season at 43-4-1. The team also garnered another first, ending the season with the final No. 1 national ranking. The Eagles won the Mid-Am District tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals of the national tournament.

Brock Paul ’18 (Carmel, Indiana) and Dominic Vidoli ’18 (Wake Forest, North Carolina) finished in the top 10 in scoring at the tournament with nine points each.

The CMA tennis team won the sectional, regional, and semi-state for the third time in the past four years. This season boasted a 21-3 record and advanced to the final four, its best finish since earning state runner-up finish in 2007.

30

SPRING 2018

CMA Varsity A hockey won the program’s 26th state title, winning the ISHSHA Class 4A championship for the second consecutive year.

The CMA fencing team won the Great Lakes Conference overall title and CGA was runner-up. Both CMA and CGA sabre teams repeated as squad champions and Jack Yan ’20 (Shanghai, China) took the boys individual title.

The CMA wrestling team qualified two wrestlers for the IHSAA state tournament and both made the podium.

Manzona Bryant ’20 (Columbus, Ohio) reached the podium for the second time, finishing third at 132 pounds. Naval Academy commit Adam Davis ’18 (Granger, Indiana) finished sixth at 138 pounds.

The CMA football team finished with a 10-2 record, making it the first time since 1903 the Eagles have recorded a 10-win season. After being bumped to Class 4A due to state enrollment reclassification, the Eagles still reached the sectional championship before losing to Angola, 31-30.

The CGA swimming team finished the regular season undefeated, which hasn’t happened since 1992.

Isabelle Ahlenius ’20 (Knox, Indiana) set two school records in diving, while the swim team set various records in the 200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay, 100 and 500 freestyle, and 100 backstroke.

Freshman Autumn Baumgartner (Argos, Indiana) was involved in all five swimming events, qualifying for the state in three of them.

The CGA golf team advanced to the state finals for the first time since 1999. The team finished in ninth place during the two-day competition at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. Freshman Reese Wilson (Chicago) finished in 10th place as an individual. The team advanced by winning the LaPorte sectional by 33 strokes and then finishing second to host Lafayette Jefferson in the regional.

At least two players will be continuing their careers at two prestigious NCAA Division III schools. Running back Brian Loudermilk ’18 (Redondo Beach, California) will attend Claremont-McKenna and center Bill Kuhl ’18 (Elmhurst, Illinois) will play at the MIT. Coach Andy Dorrel passed Dave Nelson for second place on the all-time wins list. Dorrel now sits at 119-100 in his 21st year. Only Russ Oliver has more with a record of 138-80-4.

Autumn’s brother, CMA swimmer Forrest Baumgartner ’18, continued his rewriting of the record book, setting school records in the 50 and 100 freestyle at the state meet, besting his own records set earlier this season.

He finished 10th overall at state in the 100 freestyle and is headed to Eastern Illinois to swim.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

31

OUR SPO RT I N G A L U MN I

Hirschy playing in Sweden After spending the inaugural season with Aurora University (Illinois) women’s hockey program as a graduate assistant, Gracen Hirschy ’13 was off to play professional hockey in the SDHL and Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden.

She added 40 assists and was a plus-36 for her career. She was an assistant captain during her senior year. She played on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team and was named the UND Rookie of the Year her freshman season. In the classroom, she was a threetime WCHA All-Academic Team recipient.

Lake Forest posted a 66-26-13 overall record and 51-14-9 mark in league play during Paluch’s four seasons on the team. The Foresters claimed a regular season NCHA title in 2014 and made NCAA Division III Tournament appearances after capturing NCHA Slaats Cup Playoff titles in 2014 and 2015.

Her USA women’s hockey experience includes playing for the National Under-18 Team, winning a silver medal at the 2013 world championship; and playing for the Women’s Under-22 Select Team in a series against Canada in 2015 and 2016.

In addition to coaching at Lake Forest, Paluch is also a youth lacrosse coach in the area.

Paluch coaching at Lake Forest

Gracen Hirschy ’13 (left) was on campus this winter to scout for Aurora University. She is with CGA coach Ashley Paulson ’06, who was an assistant coach while she played there. Both women also played at the University of North Dakota.

The SDHL is a women’s professional league and Djurgården are the defending champs with the regular season winding down. In fourth place out of 10 teams, the club signed defenseman Hirschy for the regular season stretch run and playoffs.

Hirschy graduated from the University of North Dakota in May and joined the Spartans staff while pursuing her MBA. She stopped by Culver earlier in the season while on a scouting and recruiting trip.

Aurora completed the program’s first season of action with a 5-19-1 overall record and 4-14-0 in NCHA play. The college is a member of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, which includes 10 teams from the Midwest.

In her four years on defense at North Dakota, Hirschy played in 145 games, scoring 26 goals of which five were game-winning goals, four on the power-play and one was short-handed.

32

SPRING 2018

Melissa Paluch ’12 is also serving as an assistant women’s hockey coach at Lake Forest College, her alma mater. This is her second year on the bench.

She helped lead the Foresters to a program record 21 victories against just six losses and a tie last season. The team was 14-3-1 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play and was the runner-up in the regular season standings and postseason tournament. Five players on the team were named All-NCHA, four were selected to the NCHA All-Freshman Team, and one player was a Second Team West All-American honoree.

As a player, Paluch is the Forester women’s hockey program’s career leader with 56 assists and ranks third with 102 points. Her 46 goals are the sixth-highest total in team history and her 12 power play goals rank tied-for-fifth.

Paluch was a three-year captain and twotime winner of Lake Forest’s Ry McCarthy Award. She was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player as a freshman and was also an Honorable Mention All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association selection and NCHA All-Rookie Team honoree that year.

Chris Neu honored Chris Neu ’15, a junior offensive tackle for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team, received several honors when post-season awards were rolled out recently.

The starting left offensive tackle for the Engineers, Neu was selected to the D3football.com All-East Region third team, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) second team, and All- Liberty League first team.

Listed at 6-feet, 3-inches and 285 pounds, Neu helped the offense average 177.7 rushing yards, 167.7 passing yards and 29.2 points in posting an 8-3 record, a Liberty League Championship and a berth into the NCAA Playoffs. Rensselaer, which allowed just 20 sacks, was first in the league in rushing offense and second in scoring offense.

Chris Neu ’15 has received several post-season honors for his offensive line play at RPI.

RPI made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2007 but lost to nationally-ranked Wesley College, 45-27, on the road in the first round.

Rüfenacht in Winter Olympics Thomas Rüfenacht ’03 (Ruefenacht while at Culver) played for the Swiss men’s hockey team in the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

He scored two goals and collected one assist in four games.

The 32-year-old forward has been playing for SC Bern since 2014 and has a contract that runs through 2020. He has been playing hockey in Switzerland since 2003 after learning of the opportunity to play professionally from Canadian hockey coach Andy Murray.

Rüfenacht was born in Switzerland but moved to the United States when his father was transferred by work. He started playing hockey while in the United States and was a forward for the CMA prep team, which was Varsity A at the time.

He has represented Switzerland in international play since 2012, having played in 46 games with three goals and nine assists. Rüfenacht has also been a member of two Swiss Cup championship teams with SC Bern.

Crawford signs with NOLA Gold Will Crawford ’12 finds himself on the ground floor of the newest professional sport to begin play in the United States.

Major League Rugby made its official debut on April 21 and already has a 13-game television package completed with CBS Sports.

Crawford, who started playing rugby at Culver, has signed with the New Orleans franchise, NOLA Gold. Coached by Nathan Osborne, the team will be playing

Thomas Rufenacht ’03 played for Switzerland in the 2018 Winter Olympics. (photo by Robert Hradil)

its inaugural season at Archbishop Shaw Field. There are 27 men on the roster.

Six other teams – Seattle, San Diego, Glendale (Colorado), Salt Lake City, Houston, and Austin – will make up the league this inaugural season with teams in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Vancouver, and Toronto possibly joining in the coming years.

Walker represents U.S. Nolan Walker ’17 represented the United States at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia, during December. The 5-foot-10-inch, 170-pound forward had one assist in five games for the U.S. Junior Select Team.

The U.S. team lost in the championship to Canada West, 5-1.

Walker is currently playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. After 37 games this season, Walker has 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists). He has committed to play next season at St. Cloud State, the same college as Nic Dowd ’08.

Chapman staple at St. Cloud Speaking of St. Cloud State, Matt Chapman ‘02 has been serving as the coordinator of hockey and video oper-

ations at the college. A 2006 graduate of Bethel University, Chapman has also served as the video coordinator for the U.S. National Junior Team.

P.J. Bogle named captain P.J. Bogle ’14 has been named one of the captains of the University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team. Bogle is the third CMA Prep lacrosse player to be named captain of a NCAA Division I program, joining Riley Thompson ’14 at Princeton and Joel Tinney ’14 at Johns Hopkins.

He is also one of three CMA players on the Wolverines’ roster, being joined by his brother Harry ’16 and Ryan Pryor ’16.

Hoover advances to Junior Olympics Alex Hoover ’17 took the top spot in the Indiana Junior Olympics qualifier in precision air rifle and smallbore (.22 caliber) shooting competitions. It is the second straight year he has qualified for the Junior Olympics and will travel to Colorado Springs for the national competition.

Now a freshman at St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hoover is shooting as a member of The X Count team in Fort Wayne.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

33

ALUMNI CLASS NEWS

The San Francisco Bay Area “Old Guard” Club of Culver held its fall luncheon Nov. 8 at the Brass Door Restaurant in San Ramon, an East Bay city. The club first met for lunch at the Metropolitan Club in downtown San Francisco, then at the World Trade Club on the Embarcadero before moving its meetings to San Ramon. The Old Guard Club is led by Jack MacKinnon, Class of 1954.

Pictured clockwise from bottom left are Bob Shepard N’54; Wayne Christenson’46; Jim Skelton’59; Bill McElfresh’64; Monte Klein ’55; Jim Pfeifer ’55; Holly C. Johnson, Chief Advancement Officer; Darryl Bayuk W’66; Pam Christiansen, Director of Planned Giving; Fritz Keeler ’57; Jeb Bing’53; Jack MacKinnon’54; John Davis’62; John Stormes ’45; and John Mengel ’51.

1940s Bill Hamilton ’40 is still healthy at age 95 and enjoys dinner twice per week with his daughter, Debbie Tolson-Reeder.

He lives in Dallas.

1960s Howie Bridges Jr. ’62 was featured in the Traverse City (Michigan) Newcomer’s Club newsletter for his work in the Maritime Heritage Alliance in building historic replica ships, as well as his volunteer work in

34

SPRING 2018

the Old Time Playhouse of Traverse City, where Howie and his wife Mary live. Sharing this news with Culver is another Traverse City “newcomer,” former longtime Culver Alumni Magazine editor Doug Haberland, who moved to Traverse City with his wife, Nancy, after his retirement last year.

1970s Tom Hodgkin W ’66, ’73 retired last year after 37 years of teaching as Professor of English at the Connecticut

Community Colleges. For the last six years, Tom was also the Director of the Community Colleges Center for Teaching, a professional development organization focused on developing innovative and effective teaching/learning strategies in all 12 community colleges in Connecticut. Tom notes that he did not match the longevity of his father, Patrick Hodgkin, who taught English at Culver for 42 years. Tom and his wife, Barbara Spiegel, live in Norfolk, Connecticut.

1980s Manuel Dominguez W ’80, H ’81 was recently named a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology. a designation which “honors members of the Society who have distinguished themselves through excellence in practice or research (and hold) outstanding credentials, high professional achievement, commitment to the field, and demonstrated scholarship,” according to the ASN website.

Manuel and his wife, Susanne Martinez‑Dominguez, live in Plano, Texas.

ALUMNI CLASS NEWS

Garrett Tripp CFA ’89 writes that after over a decade as a portfolio manager of private funds, he is really enjoying managing the Braddock Multi‑Strategy Income Fund (BDKNX). More importantly, he says, his wife Robyn and two daughters are doing great.

Ellery is an International Baccalaureate student and varsity soccer player, and Eden is a middle school student and club lacrosse player. The Tripps live in Littleton, Colorado.

1990s Yet another culinary vision of Culver grads Ty Fujimura ’93 and brother Troy ’91 is not only making waves in Chicago, but also earned a prestigious Michelin Star last fall. Entente, on Lincoln Avenue in Chicagoland’s Lakeview area, was

featured in Crain’s Chicago Business publication. The brothers’ previous ventures, including three locations of Small Bar and Japanese eatery Arami, put “an indelible stamp on the city’s exploding nightlife and dining scene,” according to Chicago.com.

Casey Harris ’94 and his wife Carrie have received glowing reviews for their hard work in establishing Casey’s, a restaurant in Port Huron, Michigan, recently written up extensively in Port Huron’s The Keel.

Casey, who played hockey while at Culver and professionally in the minor leagues afterwards, built the restaurant by hand alongside his uncle in 2005. Since then the eatery has grown to be an enormously popular addition to the community, where the Harris family — which includes the couple’s

Three 1960s-era Battery C grads gathered Feb. 22 in Naples, Florida, to renew old acquaintances. Pictured, from left, are Lamar Gable ’61, Ted Field ’64, and Dick Foster ’61.

four children — is hands-on in picking up whatever work is needed from day to day in the operation of the restaurant.

Brian Ray ’94 was featured in January as “PyDev of the

Week” on the “Python vs.

Mouse” website (www.blog. pythonlibrary.org), which focuses on the Python computer programming language.

Brian is the author of “Python from Scratch Life Lessons” and

Two Culver alums helped bring one of the internationally renowned TED Talks to campus Dec. 9, the result of the efforts of Helen Johnston ‘18, for her senior service project.

TEDxCulverAcademies, held at the Legion Memorial Building, focused on “The Courage to Break Through,” featured Paralympic Triathlete Hailey Danz and internationally notable designer Connie Yang, as well as students Ava Viohl ‘19 (Culver) and Molly McGrane ‘20 (North Aurora, Illinois).

Demetrius Nash ‘97 attended but didn’t graduate from Culver and served prison time before his inspiration to serve his community in Chicago.

Lex Clay ‘06 is a diversity consultant, speaker and entrepreneur whose journey began with a 2006 speech about transgender identity at Culver.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

35

ALUMNI CLASS NEWS

Message from Legion, CSSAA, and CCI Presidents We are pleased to share this brief update of the Culver Legion, Summer Schools Alumni Association, and Culver Clubs International initiatives and activities in recent months, and to provide you upcoming event dates for which you can “mark your calendars.”

In early March a triennial review of the Alumni office was conducted by visitors from two leading institutions, Cranbrook School (Michigan) and Centre College (Kentucky). This follows on the 2014 review by Advancement leaders from Phillips Exeter and Phillips Andover Academies.

Your respective alumni associations received high praise for their exceptional enthusiasm and support, both moral and material, of the Academies and Summer Schools & Camps. In the coming months, there will be considerable emphasis placed on more effective communication coordination with you, especially with regard to social media, but also in all print and e-mail publications. Additionally, we will keep expanding opportunities for you to engage with Culver.

Anna Kantzer Wildermuth ’83 President The Culver Legion N. Merritt Becker N ’83 President The Culver Summer Schools Alumni Association Meg Dinwiddie Burk L ’89, ’91 President Culver Clubs International

36

SPRING 2018

a speaker on the subject, as well as a founder and the former chair of ChiPy, the Chicago Python users group.

In the interview, Brian notes that, in years past, he “could be found hacking away…on the Apple Macintosh computers donated to Culver in the early ’90s. I took that knowledge for profit while enjoying a fruitful career in programming for the past 22 years.” He manages a Data Science team at professional services network, Deloitte, and recently purchased a bed and breakfast in Chicago called The Greenleaf House.

Jarrod Hirschfeld ’99 and his wife, Erin, welcomed baby Alessa Franklin Hirschfeld last April. She joins big sister Adelle Elizabeth Hirschfeld, born in 2010. The Hirschfelds live in Sylvania, Ohio.

Rocco “Rocky” Carbone III ‘04 and and Jackie Sitjar ‘04 graduated from the United States Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course (JASOC) at Maxwell Air Force Base, where they were not only in the same class but also were in the same flight of students.

They are now fully qualified to practice law in the Judge Advocate General Corps. At the time of graduation, Rocky was assigned to the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Florida, and Jackie was assigned to Seymour Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

2000s Álvaro Arzú Escobar ’02 was elected president of the Congress of Guatemala in January. Arzú, whose father, Álvaro Arzú, is mayor of Guatemala City (where Arzú ’02 also lives), said in his first message as president that he hopes to work with political opponents to make Congress an institution of which citizens feel “proud and represented.”

Elizabeth Price W ’97, ’02 has authored a chapter focusing on geriatric trauma care in orthopedic fractures in a book being published by American College of Surgeons, “Trauma Quality Improvement Program, Guidelines on Geriatric Trauma

Katie Barnes W ’02, ’09 was the featured speaker at the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance at Culver in January. A writer for ESPNW and featured in several other publications, Barnes — who today lives in Hartford, Connecticut — ­ is the daughter of Culver Academies instructors Mitch and Cory Barnes.

Addressing students, Barnes challenged them to consider the legacy of Dr. King and others involved in movements to raise awareness of the rights of those not belonging to the privileged class in America, noting that, “Constructive dialogue demands that we set aside competitive notions of winning and losing and engage in good faith.”

Care,” which will be used by all trauma providers across the nation. Elizabeth, who lives with husband Josh Price and two little boys in Arlington, Texas, also speaks nationally on care of geriatric trauma patients. She manages a large advanced practice team in trauma and acute care surgery at a Level 1 trauma center in Fort Worth, and will shortly graduate with her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) at Missouri State University.

Krystal Brun ’07 has joined the Community Engagement team at Amazon.com (previously she was the Community and Citizenship Director at Turner Construction). ”I’m excited to continue the work of servant leadership by building bridges between the private sector and my community,” says Krystal, who lives in Seattle, Washington.

Jackson Anderson S ’08, ’11 married Tarryn Kahre Sept. 3, 2017 in a ceremony which included fellow Culver alumni Mitch Allen ’11 and members of the Morches family. The Andersons, says Jack, are enjoying living and working in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jenny Molloy Newell ’08 Spec/Aviation ’05 and her husband Bryce ’08 recently welcomed son Edward George into their family.

Alyssa Spratte ’09 and Jeremy Silko ’04 were married in September in Culver’s Memorial Chapel, with Andrew Jay ’04 as a member of the wedding party. The couple resides in Tehachapi, California.

Brooke Epley W’98,’02 married Andrew Bohnker on Oct. 14 in Culver’s Memorial Chapel, with most of her bridesmaids being Culver grads. From left: Nicole Massier (Joseph) ’02, Julie Bosack (Papczynski) ’03, Danielle McDowell (Stealy) ’02, Brittney Rahn (Epley) W’98,’02, Brooke Bohnker (Epley), Lindsey Epley W’00,’05, Jennifer Garrett (Epley) SC ’82, Andrea Miz ’02, and Brooke Osborn W’99,’04; Bridesmaid Sarah Smith is the groom’s sister. A number of Culver alumni and alumnae were in attendance. The Bohnkers live in Chicago.

2010s Blake Bennett ’13 married Hannah Bailey in Culver’s Memorial Chapel on October 21.

Sydney Wolff ’15 writes that she’ll be joining fellow Culver grads Eric Michael N ’86 and Paul Leffler ’10 in full-time sales role at IBM at the end of August, following up on her work as a sales intern at the company. She credits Culver’s “incredible people and tools, like the alumni online community” for a major role in her accomplishments to date.

Visiting Culver graduates Jacob Kanak ’16 and Mitchell Kokko ’15 addressed the Corps of

Cadets at dinner following a full day of Dress A inspections in January. Kanak, who plays for the men’s lacrosse team and is in the Naval ROTC at the University of Notre Dame, and Kokko, student commercialization manager for Notre Dame’s IDEA Center, discussed the small Culver advantages that have helped them succeed at the university. They cited dressing to make a difference, keeping Culver’s values close, and focusing on the impact you make on others as among important attributes taught them at Culver.

Annie Shea ’16 took the opportunity to pay recruiting visits to Kokomo and Culver Community High School over

her last Thanksgiving break to encourage students to follow in her footsteps and consider joining the U.S. Navy. Shea, a Midshipman attending the U.S. Naval Academy, hopes to fly for the Navy and will attend flight school with the U.S. Naval Aviator, she told The Kokomo Perspective in a December feature story.

We’re Interested!

Tell us about memorable events in your life and career at news.culver.org

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

37

Photo by Alex Claney ‘79

C U LV E R C L U B S I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Over 35 members of the Culver Club of Chicago had the opportunity to celebrate the Olympic Spirit by attending a Learn2Curl session at the Exmoor Country Club. Excitement was high as just hours before, the U.S. Men’s Curling Team took home the Gold Medal! Club Sponsors were James and Debra Koziarz (Past Parents) and Culver Club of Chicago Steering Committee Member Jay Koziarz ’03.

The Culver Club of Chicago Leaders are instrumental in putting on events like the Casino Club Holiday Party. Pictured are (from left) Jay Koziarz ’03, David Zaccaria ’10, Adam Karras ’90, Susie Jendro ’03, Curtis Kessler W’81, Katherine Harper ’97, Chad Fiala ’03, Michael Bacino ’90, Alan Free ’81.

38

SPRING 2018

The annual Chicago Holiday Party was hosted at the Casino Club and featured members of the Culver Jazz Ensemble, led by Senior Instructor Steve Rozek. This was the group’s first time performing outside of Culver.

The Culver Club of South Florida with the assistance of Rene Murai ’62 welcomed Head of Schools Jim Power with open arms. Speaking to a crowd of Winter and Summer Alumni, Parents, and Current Summer Campers, Dr. Power along with Director of Summer Schools and Camps, Dr. Doug Bird ’90, addressed the group and provided a picture of Culver Today. The guests were also treated to a Student Panel consisting of right to left: James Dodge ’12, Angelo Pecorelli ’17, Christopher Ponce H’17, and Gabrielle Menard ’16 (Pictured). Featured on the Alumni Instagram was Hector De La Canal ’12 (Pictured right along with John Cornell ’07 left) who updated social media users on the evening’s event. For more real-time updates on Culver Club events, follow @culveralumni on Instagram.

Culver Supporters gathered for an inaugural Tailgate and Ski Day at Arapahoe Basin in Keystone, Colorado. Guests contributed food and drinks to enjoy while spending time on the “Beach” before hitting the slopes and battling the fierce winds. Pictured (Left to Right) Jimmy Nguyen ’06, a friend, Kenneth Harris ’09, John Melson ’07, Will Kelley, Henry Brewer ’12, Deb Kelley, Sam Ovuworie, Niffy Ovuworie ’04. Also in attendance were; Kevin Adamson ’86, John ’98 and Sarah (Stapleton) Scott ’00, Ashley (Turner) Mehta ’03, Elizabeth Loehmer ’07, and Debbie Turner (Past Parent and former CGA Counselor ).

The Culver Club of Greater Lafayette gathered to watch the Purdue Boilermakers take on Indiana Hoosiers in Men’s basketball.

Pictured are: Al Benham SC’64, Ben Nowalk W’07, ’02, Karinna Kanach ’19, Tom Kanach CP, Andrew Kanach, Anna Campbell Nowalk L’04, Ashely and Jeff Anderson, Ramsey Bradke W’06, ’10, Rebecca and John ’02 Rivera. Not pictured are Club Leader Jeff Love ’84.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

39

C U LV E R C L U B S I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Over 150 guests gathered at the Dallas Country Club to celebrate Culver during the One Culver Reception hosted by Fallon and Robie Vaughn ’74.

Woodcraft Gold C Beaver Jack Mullins participated as a panelist during the One Culver Dallas presentation. Pictured are: Delia Crossley, Jack Mullins W’18, and Wendell Mullins ’86.

40

SPRING 2018

It was a family affair at the Dallas Country Club with Robert Vaughn Jr. ’06 and fiancee Lauren Toledo, Browning Vaughn ’08, Fallon Vaughn, and CEF Trustee Robie Vaughn ’74.

July 2018 Culver Club of Chicago Columbia Yacht Club Happy Hour Culver Club of LA/OC Polo Tailgate Interested in being involved in the planning of Culver Club Events?

We are active in: Indianapolis Chicago South and Central Florida Denver San Diego San Francisco Los Angeles New York City Washington D.C. …and many more places.

Please contact the Alumni Office for information on Clubs in your area!

Hosted by the Culver Parents Association Fall Parents Weekend • Henderson Ice Arena

LIVE THE LEGACY A UCTION

Auction proceeds benefit The Culver Fund, which supports the legacy of Culver’s outstanding programs, experiences, and traditions.

Purchase Tickets Adult: $100 (Ages 21+) Student/Youth: $40 (Ages 12-20) Sponsorship/Table Packages available from $2,500 - $25,000 Donate Auction Items Top items & categories include: sports memorabilia/tickets • wine and spirits • getaways/vacations • group activities for students • Culver memorabilia/accessories • faculty offerings and more!

Items accepted through September 3 Contact & Register For more information, to sponsor, or make a donation: Web: culver.org/auction Email: auction@culver.org Call: 574-842-8321 or 574-842-8272 facebook.com/culver.livethelegacy

C ER LU

BS

Guests of the 2018 Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Luncheon were treated to traditional Texas BBQ and comments

by Head of Schools Jim Power.

Enjoying a family outing at the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Luncheon were Michelle Moncrief ’92 with children: Campbell, Carly, and Charlie.

.culv www

W

mni

/alu er.org

K

Saturday June 23 Culver Club of LA/OC Dinner and a Show at the Academy for Magical Arts

Save the date to join 1,000 friends for an evening full of fun, food, music, spirits, raffle, and live/silent auction bidding.

EB LI

N

Saturday June 9 Culver Club of Indianapolis Indy Eleven Game

Join Us Friday, October 5, 2018 at 6 p.m.

CULV

Upcoming Culver Events

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

41

All photos by Mo Morales.

IN MEMORIAM

42

SPRING 2018

Peter Pauls Stewart ’37 (Company C) died at his longtime home in Dallas, Texas on January 10, 2018.

Some people knew Peter best as the force behind The Thanks-Giving Foundation and Thanks-Giving Square in downtown Dallas. Others knew him from his business interests in distribution, auto transport, and real estate. After his mother’s death, he and older brother Waldo lived with their paternal grandparents. Both attended Culver Military Academy and fulfilled their grandfather’s fondest aspiration that they graduate from Harvard University. Peter met Betty May Exall during a summer break and courted her over three years, even transferring from Harvard to the University of Texas for his sophomore year to show his devotion. They were married on July 18, 1942. Peter served in the U.S. Army in Europe as a transportation officer. At the end of World War II, he commanded the first trains (including supplies and refugees) to enter Berlin through the newly created Soviet zone.

He concluded his service as a captain late in 1945. After managing family business interests in Mexico City, Peter returned to Dallas and focused on The Stewart Company (exclusive wholesale distributor of Ford tractors and appliances from Zenith, Amana, and KitchenAid), Auto Convoy (Ford auto transport), and his ultimate love, real estate investing. As a member of the Dallas Plan Commission, Peter grew increasingly interested in

discussions about downtown parks and the role they could play as a sophisticated city center. On a fishing trip to Arkansas in 1962, an unusual idea for a downtown park came to him, one dedicated to gratitude and thanksgiving.

In 1964 he created the Thanks-Giving Foundation, which purchased a triangularshaped site at the center of downtown Dallas. New York architect Philip Johnson designed the unique chapel and square. President Gerald Ford visited Thanks-Giving Square and called it a “major national shrine.” Peter spread the thanksgiving message through local, state, national, and international research. His foundation continues the tradition of a day of prayer every year by celebrating prayer and gratitude in all faiths on the first Thursday in May. Thanks-Giving Square’s Interfaith Council, which brings representatives from 26 faith denominations together 10 times a year, plays a leading role in the National Day of Prayer, the Festival of Faiths, and discussions of interfaith issues. Peter was preceded in death by his wife, Betty May; a brother, Waldo W’27 and a half brother, Homer “Pete” Lewis, Regimental Commander of the Class of 1938. He is survived by two daughters, three sons, including Peter Bruce Stewart H’63, ’65 (Troop B), 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Robert Estill Courtney, Sr. H’38 died November 14, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. He

enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served in occupied Japan until his honorable discharge in 1946. Naturally drawn to horse and farm life from his youth, Robert studied agriculture at the University of Kentucky. He bought his first mare for $50 and later purchased Crestfield Farm, where he established a successful market breeding operation with his two sons.

In 1972 he and his business partner purchased the broodmare Hasty Queen II, who went on to produce six stakes winners. During his career, Robert bred more than 100 stakes winners and was a leader in the thoroughbred industry, serving as president of the Thoroughbred Club of America; founding member of the Lexington Polo Club; President of the Kentucky Farm Managers’ Club and trustee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He was inducted into the Culver Horsemanship Hall of Fame in 2009. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, and is survived by two sons.

Robert Wilson (Bob) Henderson W’34, ’38 (Company C) passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, on December 11, 2017 at the age of 97. The eldest of six children of John W. and Norma W. Henderson of Culver, he was born September 10, 1920 in Aurora, Indiana, home of his maternal grandparents.

During his Culver career, Bob was a commissioned officer in Company C, a two-sport letter winner and captain of the basketball team. After graduation

in 1938, he spent an additional year as a post-graduate before matriculating at the University of Cincinnati. With World War II fast approaching, he accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army just before Pearl Harbor. He served the entire war as an infantry officer, ending his service as a major on an eighteen-month tour of duty in the China- Burma-India sector, advising the Allied forces.

Upon discharge, he earned a degree in accounting at the Indiana University School of Business Administration in 1948.

He built upon that accounting background to forge a career in sales and general management, initially in the Midwest and primarily in the commercial and industrial laundry and drycleaning business. He moved to Tucson in 1978. Bob was a man of faith and was active in his church. He enjoyed volunteering for Culver and served as a class agent, class vice president, president and special reunion gift chair. He cherished his family and friends, who loved his positive outlook, his charm and warm smile, and his loyalty to them. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf and anything to do with railroads, including his own extensive Garden layout.

He had a passion for his dogs as they did for him.

Bob is survived and deeply loved by his wife, Monique, and his daughters Pam (Bill) Barrett SC ’63 and Susan Henderson, both of Tucson, and his daughter Christine (Scott) Logan of Phoenix. Also surviving are his sister Mary Alice (Hap) Hassett of Ponte

Vedra Beach, Florida and brother Jim (Toots) Henderson ’52 (Company C), of Columbus, Indiana. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kevin (Katie) Henderson’91 (Battery A); Mitchell (Ashley) Henderson ’94 (Battery A); Kathryn (Mike) Stone ’97 (Tower); Matthew Henderson ’03 (Band); Amanda (Nate) Thomas; Tobi (Seth) Coulter and David Logan, as well as five great-grandchildren. Eighteen of his nephews and nieces attended Culver and 19 of his great-nephews and nieces also attended. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert W. (Chris) Henderson II W’56, ’61 (Company C), as well as his sisters, Helen Jane (Bob) McKinstry ’41 (Company B); Teeta (Bruce) MacNab, and brother J. William (Joey) Henderson, Jr. ’43 (Company C). Services are planned for Bob on June 30, 2018 at the Culver Academies’ Chapel.

Donald Finley Elliott, Jr. W’35, N’37, ’39 (Company C), a retired partner at the firm of Ice Miller Donadio and Ryan, died December 15, 2017.

He attended Kokomo High School for two years and then graduated from Culver in 1939.

Like his father, he attended DePauw University, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating in 1943 with a major in history, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, ultimately as the executive officer aboard the USS Bannack, operating in the South Pacific. After the war, Mr. Elliott attended Columbia

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

43

IN MEMORIAM

Law School, where he lived for a time in the same dorm room his father had occupied years earlier. His family was steeped in the law. His father, Donald, was an attorney who graduated from DePauw University and Columbia Law School, and his grandfather, James Finley Elliott, was a Civil War veteran who became a circuit court judge.

Donald began his professional career at the Indianapolis law firm then known as Ross McCord Ice and Miller. During his tenure, it became one of the largest law firms in the state of Indiana; he worked in the areas of business, corporate and banking law until his retirement in 1987. He represented national corporations such as RCA, as well as local businesses, and earned the respect of his colleagues and legal adversaries alike through his thoughtful, confident demeanor, and his knowledge of and passion for the law.

Among his many charitable and civic activities, Donald served as a member and elder at Second Presbyterian Church, where he was the clerk of session for 10 years. He organized and was a director of both the Indianapolis 500 Festival and the Marion County Association for Retarded Children. He served on the Metropolitan Development Commission, and the boards of the Maxinkuckee Country Club, Marquette Manor, United Hospital Services, the Eagle Creek Park Foundation, and the American United Life Insurance Company.

For 27 years, Donald was chairman of the board of directors of the Kokomo Opalescent Glass

44

SPRING 2018

Company, a business purchased and developed in part by his great-grandfather, Peter E. Hoss, in 1891. The company became a flagship supplier of stained and decorative glass, counting Louis Comfort Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright among its prominent customers. At the Opalescent, he worked as a close advisor to his son, Richard, who was for many years president of the company. An avid golfer, Fin also loved playing bridge with friends, gardening and relaxing at his family cottage on Lake Maxinkuckee.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, two sons, Dr. Kenneth Elliott W ’69 and Dick Elliott W ’71, and one daughter, he is also survived by eight grandchildren.

A brother, Richard ’38, predeceased him.

Bruce Morgan MacArthur N’40 of Ashburn,Virginia, and Charlevoix, Michigan, died December 20, 2017. He attended high school at Flint Northern where he played football and ran track. Summers at Culver helped form his character, and he was deeply proud of being named regimental commander during the summer of 1940. After graduating from high school, Bruce returned to Culver to teach sailing. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army, teaching cartography.

He achieved the rank of captain and served as Company Commander in Japan as part of the Allied Occupation forces.

He graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in applied science and was a member of Psi Upsilon, where he was known as the

“All American Boy.” Bruce was an accomplished athlete all his life. While he loved golf and sailboat racing, his true passion was tennis, and he was known for his signature “Welcome to Charlevoix” drop shot. He won many tournaments, but he was most proud of being the US Tennis Association’s No. 1 singles player in the midAtlantic 85-and-older division. He played tennis until he was 90 and never lost his love of competition. Bruce was a third generation executive for General Motors Corp at Buick for 33 years and was very active in community service in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where he and Barbara founded the Grand Blanc Beautification League.

Upon retiring and moving to Charlevoix in 1979, they were founding members of Keep Charlevoix Beautiful and helped build the Charlevoix Area Community Pool. He also served on the boards of WATCH and spearheaded the North Point Preserve Project for the Little Traverse Conservancy. He was a Rotarian and Lions Club member and in 1988 the Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce elected him Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Barbara.

He is survived by four daughters: Laurie MacArthur (Nussbaum) L’67; Karen Schuiling (William) L’70, Marjorie Veiga L’74 and Nancy (Peter) Smith L’77, as well as five grandchildren, who are fifth generation summer residents of Charlevoix.

Jack Gordon Scharff, Sr. ’41 (Battery B) of Memphis, Tennessee, died January 5, 2018.

He graduated cum laude from Culver, where he enjoyed wrestling and boxing. He then attended Purdue University, married his first wife, Charlotte Jeffries, and joined the Army Air Corps as a 2nd lieutenant, going overseas as a pilot in World War II. Returning home after the war, he worked in the family-owned Kraus Model Laundry and Dry Cleaning business, becoming president of the company in the early 1960s, and working until 2015. Jack was civic minded and was engaged in several civic organizations, including being a charter member and past president of the Memphis Better Business Bureau, a member of the Rotary Club, where he served as an officer and director and was a Paul Harris Fellow, the Memphis Speakers Club, past president of Junior Achievement, Memphis Sales Executives Club, and Family Service of Memphis.

He served as vicecommander of Flotilla 0806, a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and received the Memphis Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1958 for Outstanding Young Man of the Year. He married his second wife, Theresa Synakowski, in 1950. He is survived by three children: one daughter and two sons, including Jack, Jr.’69. He was preceded in death by his two wives, and his youngest child, Margi Scharff. He is survived by four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Senour “Si” Hunt T’41,’42 (Troop II), colonel U.S. Air Force (Ret.), died May 16, 2017 in Arlington,Virginia at the age of 93 after a brief illness.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susanne, with whom he enjoyed more than 65 years of marriage. Si was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, spent one year at Denison University, and entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1943 with the goal of becoming a cavalry officer. When the cavalry was abolished, he transferred his passion to aviation, graduating from West Point in 1946 with a commission as 2nd lieutenant, a B.S. and his pilot wings. Si later earned an M.S. in international affairs in 1966 from the Air War College and George Washington University. Si’s 30 year military career took him to Alaska, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, among other assignments, while achieving a total of 4,500

hours as first pilot or command pilot. Si volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1969, where he served as chief of Air Force Advisory Team 5 and advisor to the commander of the 33rd Wing VNAF. While in Vietnam, he personally flew regular combat support missions, accumulating 200 hours and 78 sorties under hazardous combat conditions. During his military career, Si was awarded several medals, including the Legion of Merit and the Air Medal for his service in Vietnam. Upon retiring, Si joined the Burney Company, which he co-founded and served as vice-president for more than 40 years until his death. He is survived by his daughter Sally Comiskey and son Tom Hunt, as well as six grandchildren. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on October 27, 2017.

George W. Rathjens N’40, ’43 (Company B), a professor emeritus of political science at MIT, died May 27, 2016 at age 90. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, he developed a great love of the outdoors from an early age.

He was an avid hiker, and enjoyed skiing, bicycling, canoeing, and snorkeling. He was also an extremely active squash player, on the court almost every day at MIT, much feared because of his size and reach (though not always victorious). Trained as a chemist, Rathjens received his B.S. from Yale University and completed his PhD at the University of California at Berkeley. George is best known for his contributions to the theory and practice of nuclear arms control.

He brought a fundamental understanding of the weapons and technologies to policy discussions and was a major participant in the controversial debate in the late 1960s and

early 1970s on the wisdom of deploying ballistic missile defenses. Prior to his arrival at MIT, he had a distinguished career in government, including service at the Institute for Defense Analyses, the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense, the Office of the President’s Science Advisor, the Weapons Evaluation Group of the Department of Defense, and the State Department.

George was one of the founders of MIT’s Security Studies Program, an internationally recognized graduate level research and educational program that integrates technical and political analysis of national and international security problems. His major policy interests were nuclear arms issues, environmental problems, with special emphasis on conflict and the environment, and post Cold War

RE M EM BE R I N G T H E FA MI LY Betty J. (Cannon) Kulchar died on November 16, 2017 in Hammond, Indiana, after a battle with cancer. Born and raised in DeLong, Indiana, she worked in the laundry at Culver during the summers until her graduation from Aubbeenaubbee High School in 1959, when she moved to South Bend. She worked at Pittsburgh Plate Glass and in the banking industry until she met and married her husband, Arlander Kulchar. They lived in Detroit, Michigan, Michigan City and Hammond, Indiana over the course of their marriage.

Always busy, Betty worked as an office worker, seamstress, embroiderer and a postal carrier. Betty was preceded in death by her

husband and is survived by a son and daughter, as well as two step-grandchildren.

Maureen LaFaive died on December 8, 2017 at home in Grovertown, Indiana. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she moved to Indiana and lived in the local area since 1977. She worked as a custodian in Linden and Ithaka dorms from 2010-2017. Maureen is survived by her husband, Patrick, one son, one daughter and six grandchildren.

John Joseph Price III died on February 13, 2018 in Cape Coral, Florida. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and St.

Mary’s University in Baltimore with a B.A. in English. He came to Culver in 1946, where he taught English for two years and served as Assistant Counselor for the Band. John returned to Connecticut in 1948, where he continued to teach English at several high schools and earned advanced degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Boston College and Fordham University. He served as principal of Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, Connecticut, and retired there as superintendent of Schools in 1983. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, who was also an English teacher and department chair at Wilby High School in Connecticut.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

45

IN MEMORIAM

46

international security questions.

Among other achievements, he was the secretary general of Pugwash from 1998 to 2002, the international nongovernmental organization dedicated to cooperation among scientists and officials from many nations to bring “scientific insight and reason to bear” on the risks

He served as chair of the Council for a Livable World and the Federation of American Scientists and was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. At MIT, he was held in deep affection by his graduate students and colleagues. Rathjens was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years,

1993. He then worked as a consultant for Advanced Environmental for the next few years. James was very active with the Art Council and Community Theatre in both Starkville and Columbus, Mississippi, and well known throughout the golden triangle area. An avid reader, he devoted

posed by nuclear weapons.

For many years, he had been an active participant in that organization, which won the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize. He was also intensely interested in the principal international security problems of the 1990s humanitarian intervention, sovereignty, and human rights and under his leadership Pugwash took up these issues in a series of conferences.

George was active on a number of boards and committees, including the Aspen Strategy Group and the Massachusetts Commission on Nuclear Safety.

Lucy, in 2009. He is survived by his three children, two daughters, one son, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

many hours to projects at the Columbus Library, including the design and construction of the fishing trolling motor, which is still used by anglers worldwide. He also enjoyed world traveling and discovering new places. James was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Mildred W. Moore. He is survived by one daughter, two grand- children and three great-grandchildren.

SPRING 2018

James Riley Moore ’43 JC of Columbus, Mississippi, died January 23, 2018. After high school, he attended Culver’s Junior College and then was a civil engineer honor graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy.

He served in the Navy during the Korean War. His career path led him to be named as the assistant to the vice president of American Bosch, which he held until his retirement in

Philip E. Buecher N’44 of Jasper, Indiana, died January 11, 2018, in his home. He graduated from Jasper High

School, where he received the Distinguished Graduate Award, attended Culver Summer School, was active in Scouting and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business administration. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and the president of the Dubois County I.U. Alumni Association. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Petty Officer 3rd Class in WWII, where he was awarded the Honor Man of his boot company. Phil returned to Jasper and represented Jasper Desk, and later the company that he founded, Glowin Company. He owned and managed the Stewart Hotel for 35 years. He was the postmaster of the Jasper Post Office and served as the president of the Southwest National League of Postmasters. He retired as a furniture manufacturers’ representative of Paoli Chair.

Phil served on the Jasper School Board for 35 years, 29 of which he served as president. He presided during the consolidation of the Greater Jasper School Corporation, and served as state officer and director. In 1994 he received the Outstanding Boardsmanship Award from the Indiana State School Board Association. He served as a state director on the Indiana School Board Association for nine years.

He was a member of the Jasper Park Board during the construction of the golf course, the establishment of the first park and recreation director and served on the Jasper Plan Commission. Phil dedicated himself to many years of community service, motivated

not by self interest but by a sense of duty to the people of Dubois County. He was a charter member and officer of the Jasper Lions Club, vice president of the Jasper Jaycees, and a member of the Deutscherverein (German Club). He served on the County Election Board, the Jasper Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the American Legion Post #147 in Jasper. He was also a longtime member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Jasper. Phil received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Gov. O’Bannon, the highest civilian honor. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; two daughters Sheila SSL’66 and Jayme SSL’70, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Paul John Mueller, Jr. ’45 (Battery A) of Moneta,Virginia, died December 22, 2017.

Theodore Martin Weicker ’46 (Troop II) died October 31, 2017 at his home in San Mateo, California.Born in France, he returned to the United States to attend The Buckley School and Culver before entering Yale University, where he earned a degree in economics. Ted joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a first lieutenant and earned the rank of tank platoon leader in the 1st Marine Division in Korea, ultimately attaining the rank of captain. Following his military service, Ted joined the General Electric Company, where he worked for 28 years as the West Coast district sales manager. He was an avid fisherman, played squash and tennis, loved Giants’

games, Dixieland jazz and traveling with his wife of 33 years, Judy. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder.

Though he suffered from the effects of a stroke in 2010, Ted’s spirit was unflagging and buoyant. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lindsay, and is survived by his wife, Judy, his brother Lowell’48, as well as several nieces and nephews. His father Lowell, was CMA ’20.

Harold Leo “Doc” Stelzer, Jr. N’46 died November 12, 2016 in Houston, Texas, from complications of a traumatic brain injury suffered during a fall in his home. He graduated from Lima Central High School, where he met his wife, Lou, and married in 1951. He continued his studies at The Ohio State University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and served as president.

He graduated from the College of Engineering in 1953 and accepted a position with Eastman Kodak in chemical engineering in Rochester, New York. He joined the purchasing group and served as president of the Rochester Chapter of the National Association of Purchasing Management, as well as coaching and serving as president of Brighton Little League.

Doc and Lou retired in 1986 and moved to Houston, Texas, where Doc served as treasurer of the Houston Chapter of the NAPM and enjoyed many happy years with his children and grandchildren. His wife of 63 years, Louise, preceded him in death last year. Doc is survived by two sons, two daughters and three grandchildren.

William Kellogg Veazey W’41,’46 (Company C) died unexpectedly December 2, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

After Culver he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict and then married his wife, Margurite, in 1952; they were wed for 64 years. Bill was the CEO of the Veazey Drug Company from 1954-1963, when the company was sold. He then opened an Abbey Rents franchise in Oklahoma City in1964, which was later renamed Bill Veazey’s Best Rents. The business was split in 1988 into the medical side (Bill Veazey’s Rehab and Home Health Care) and the party side (Bill Veazey’s Party Store). Bill was active in many Oklahoma City civic organizations, including the Cowboy Hall of Fame, docent at the National Cowboy Museum and History Center, and Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. He was also a man of faith and committed to the First Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, serving as a disciple, deacon and Sunday School teacher. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Margurite, and is survived by four daughters and one son, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Henry Curtiss Dietrich ’46 (Troop I) and Battery B of Boston, Massachusetts, died December 23, 2017. Curt lived a rich, rewarding life. His work career spanned six decades and two industries: commercial insurance brokerage and flag/ banner fabrication. Some of his favorite pursuits were being on the ocean, boating and fishing, horseback riding, reading

mystery novels, and taking naps.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Arthur and Jeffrey.

He is survived by his wife, Alice, three daughters, two sons and five grandchildren.

James Lee Hamersly ’47 (Troop II) of Washington, Indiana, died February 6, 2018.

He attended Washington High School but graduated from Culver. James attended Indiana University where he was a member of the swim team. He owned and operated Hamersly’s Store in Washington until 1973.

He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, deacon and trustee, and was also active in the Rotary Club and Daviess County YMCA. James was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett, and a granddaughter. He is survived by his second wife, Elizabeth, two sons, one daughter, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Cecil Theodore Bost, Jr. ’47 (Troop I) died February 16, 2018 in Newton, North Carolina. He spent his early years nurturing a love of horses, becoming involved with Boy Scouts and leading a troop at the Corinth Reformed Church.

After graduating from Culver, he attended North Carolina State University, where he was in the first class of graduates in the furniture manufacturing program. Cecil also served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He returned to Hickory, North Carolina, and entered the family business, Hickory Manufacturing Company, serving as vice president before he founded his

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

47

IN MEMORIAM

own company, Cegen Furniture, where he was joined by his three sons. Much of his life centered on the Corinth Reformed Church, which his ancestors were involved in founding; he held several leadership positions there, including president of the Consistory. Cecil also enjoyed fishing in the Outer Banks, working in his garden and spending hours at the library.

He and his first wife, Eugenia, were the parents of three sons and one daughter, who survive.

Almost 40 years ago, he married Gretchen Lenz, who survives, along with three stepchildren, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Norman N. Bogatinoff ’48 (Company D) died February 24, 2016 in San Francisco, California. He is survived by his wife Anne, two sons, including Steven ’89, one daughter and six grandchildren.

Mechlin Dongan Moore’48 (Company B), former president and chief executive officer of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), died June 13, 2017, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Moore, of Rye, New York, led the I.I.I. from 1979 until his retirement in June 1991, when he formed MDM Communications, a marketing, advertising, public affairs and media relations firm. He began his career as a reporter for The Washington Post and later served with the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Real Estate Boards (now known as the National Association of Realtors) in Washington, D.C. For five years, he was executive

48

SPRING 2018

director of the Seattle Downtown Development Association.

He also served as the National Risk Retention Association’s director of Communications; as a marketing communications executive at Ultimate Risk Solutions, LLC, an international financial risk software firm; and a feature writer with the Risk Retention Reporter. Prior to his years with I.I.I., Moore was senior vice president of United Airlines, responsible for all public and government relations, and industry and consumer affairs. Moore graduated from Harvard University, where he studied philosophy.

Moore is survived by his wife, Valery. His first wife, Betsy, preceded him in death, as did his daughter, Pamela Moore.

He is also survived by a son, Lansing Moore, and a grandson, Lansing Moore Jr. Paul Theodore Hensel ’48 (Band) died September 19, 2017 in Sun City, Arizona. He earned a B.S. degree in mathematics from Wheaton College.

After service in the Korean War, he earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked for Western Electric, R.R. Donnelly, A.G. Becker, and retired as a First Vice President of Information Processing from Options Clearing Corporation. He was active with the La Grange (Illinois) Bible Church. Paul is survived by his wife, Marlene, and three daughters, eight grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

George Franklin Thomas, Jr. ’48 (Battery B) died November 28, 2017 at Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville,

Georgia. He didn’t need a middle name because he made a superior name for himself in every aspect of his long 87 year life. He was described by his brother, Dr. Murphy Thomas ’60, as “quiet and unassuming” but with an uncanny sense of knowing what was needed and never being judgmental.

His daughter Irene said he was “the moral compass” in her life.

George attended Culver and then Georgia Tech where he earned a degree in industrial engineering. He and his wife Anne moved to Gainesville, where he purchased a tractor dealership, the Ford Farm and Industrial Equipment. He also became a partner in several other businesses, including Georgia Foam, Gainesville & Mid-Atlantic Form and Western Wood Products. George was active in community organizations like the Rotary Club, where he was named President and a Paul Harris Fellow, and the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and elder. His hobbies included playing golf and making dollhouses and miniature furniture.

He designed his own house in Gainesville and then built a miniature version of it. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and brother Murphy ’60.

Samuel James Mackall N’49 died November 19, 2017 in his Ft. Myers, Florida home. He attended Culver and graduated from Allegheny College and the Temple University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and neurological residency at the Thomas Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia. He was board

certified in 1963 and became the first neurosurgeon in the Wyoming Valley of northeastern Pennsylvania. A well-known surgeon and member of several national medical and neurological associations, Dr. Mackall enjoyed a successful career until his retirement in 1994. He is survived by his wife, Dixie Lee, one son and one daughter.

Robert Kauf Sheehan N’49 died November 26, 2017 in Gambrills, Maryland. Born and raised in Alliance, Ohio, he graduated from Alliance High School and the Culver Summer Naval School. He was an Eagle Scout, as were his father and two older brothers.

He attended Mount Union College where he was named “Best Male Actor.” Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from Ohio, he graduated and was commissioned a line officer in 1954. He qualified for the Surface Warfare Officer designation on the USS Leary and as a submarine officer on the USS Tork. He graduated from the Navy Instructors School and taught at the Fleet and Submarine training facilities in Norfolk,Virginia, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Bob served as Executive officer of the USS Tiru and received the American Expeditionary Force Medal for covert operations on that submarine. As Executive officer of the USS Caliente, Bob saw extensive action in the South China Sea and was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal with four campaign stars. Bob was assigned as Executive officer and later Commanding officer of the Naval Station at Annapolis.

His last assignment was serving

on the superintendent of the Naval Academy’s staff.

After retirement, Bob pursued a variety of personal interests. He worked in positions in higher education administration at Anne Arundel Community College and Johns Hopkins University, as well as a contracts manager at Martin

artist. He loved genealogy research and published a family history. He was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, Military Officer of America Association, and a lifetime member of the VFW, NRA and Naval Academy Alumni Association.

At the time of his death, Bob was chairman of the State

John “Scotty” Cramer N’47, ’49 (Company C) died January 1, 2018 in WinstonSalem, North Carolina. He attended St. Paul’s School and Culver and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953. He met the love of his life, Nancy Arnott from Sydney, Australia,

Marietta Baltimore Aerospace and later a senior consultant at Westinghouse Oceanic.

Returning to his love of music and acting, Bob became active in church choirs, variety shows and musicals. He was delighted to be in a three generations musical production, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” along with his daughter, granddaughter and two grandsons.

Bob was a volunteer reader for the Library of Congress and was a professional voiceover

of Maryland Transportation Professional Services Selection Board. He was also an ordained minister, and a week before his death, he officiated at the wedding of his granddaughter, Amy Sontag. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Sue, and is survived by two daughters, Susan and Karen Sheehan Herfurth’76 (Deck 2) one son, Robert NB’74, six grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

in college and they married in 1952. Scotty served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Morocco.

Following his military service, he joined Wachovia Bank and Trust Company in Winston-Salem, then moved to Charlotte, where he became senior vice president at Wachovia from 1964 to 1970, and then returned to WinstonSalem in 1970,where he served the bank in various capacities.

He served as president of First Wachovia Trust Services, vice chairman of Wachovia Corporation of North Carolina, vice chairman of Wachovia Bank of North Carolina and Executive Vice President of First Wachovia Corporation until his retirement in 1988.

Scotty led his life through a faithful commitment to his family, his friends and community, a trait he attributed to his parents. His stewardship of the communities he loved most can be seen in the many boards and organizations he chose to serve.

His primary interests were education and the environment.

He was a trustee of the North Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and was an original board member of Save our State. He also served on the boards of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Foundation, Charlotte Country Day School, Campbell University Trust Education Foundation, Morehead (now Morehea-Cain) Foundation, Summit School of Winston-Salem, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Salem Academy and College. His service on various corporate boards through the years included Scott Drug Co., Home Finance Co., Shadowline, Inc., American Credit Corp., Chatham Manufacturing Co., and the Executive Committee of the American Bankers Association Trust Division and Linville Resorts, Inc. His interest in arts and music led him in devoted service to the North Carolina Symphony Society, Winston-Salem Arts Council, Governor’s Business Council on Arts and Human-

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

49

IN MEMORIAM ities, and Brenner Children’s Hospital Advisory Board.

He served as President of the United Way of Forsyth County, Director of the YMCA of both Charlotte and Winston-Salem, Chairman of the North Carolina Committee of the Newcomen Society in addition to many other interests. Scotty was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Nancy. He is survived by his second wife, Selma, two daughters and four grandchildren.

Ricardo Arias Calderon ’50 (Troop II) died February 13, 2017 in Panama. He was a Panamanian politician and patriot who served as first vice president from 1989-1992.

After studying abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris and at Yale University, Arias returned to Panama in the 1960s to work for political reform, becoming the president of the Christian Democratic Party of Panama and a leading opponent of Manuel Noriega’s military government. In 1984 he ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for second vice president on the ticket of the three-time former president, Arnulfo Arias.

Following an annulled 1989 election and the U.S. invasion of Panama later in the year, he was sworn in as the first vice president of Panama under President Guillermo Endara.

After growing tensions in the ruling coalition, Arias resigned from his position in 1992, stating that the government had not done enough to help Panama’s people. He continued to be an active voice in Panamanian politics, supporting the Panama Canal expansion project and

50

SPRING 2018

opposing the extradition of Manuel Noriega. Culver honored Arias’ work by awarding him the McDonald Alumni Award in 1954 and the Man of the Year Award in 1990. Arias married his Cuban-born wife, Teresita, in 1964 and they had four children. A brother Jaime ’52 (Troop A), and two cousins, Octavio Arias W’55, 59 (Troop B) and Francisco Arias W’55, ’59 (Troop A) survive.

James Frank Cross N’50 died December 6, 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas. An Arkansas native, he graduated from Pine Bluff High School and earned a degree from the University of Arkansas.

He also graduated from the Naval School. James worked as a cotton broker from 1956-1969 and served as past president of the Pine Bluff Cotton Exchange.

He was also a real estate broker and developed subdivisions in Jefferson, Grant and Lincoln counties. In 1968 James was appointed by Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller to the LP Gas Board and subsequently to the Workmen’s Compensation Commission as the business representative commissioner from 1970-1974. Gov. Mike Huckabee appointed him to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee #11 West in 1997. James was very active in Pine Bluff organizations, especially the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member of the First Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, served on the Board of Stewards and was the Sunday School Superintendent for one year. James is survived by his wife, Gail,

Bruce F. Knoll MD H’47, T’51 died January 14, 2018 at his home in Greeley, Colorado.

In August 1955, Bruce joined

medicine another five years in Temple, Texas, before retiring to Greeley. Bruce is survived by his wife, Sharlene, two daughters, including Susan ’83 and two sons, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a large extended family.

the U.S. Army where he served as a lieutenant. After his discharge, Bruce enrolled at the University of Michigan Medical School and graduated as a urologist in 1962. He went on to practice medicine for 28 years in Jackson, Michigan, where he met the love of his life, Sharlene Shipley in May 1993. He continued to practice

Richard Dean York ’52 (Troop A) died unexpectedly after a brief illness November 24, 2017 in Maywood, Illinois.

An Indianapolis native, he attended local schools and graduated from Culver and Denison University before entering the U.S. Army. He later worked as a stock broker and in real estate. He loved to sing

one son and three daughters, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

and was a member of several choirs and barbershop quartets.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Carol. Per Dick’s final wishes, no service will be held but it was his desire that all those who loved him and mourn his loss enjoy an afternoon of listening to their favorite music with a friend.

John McDonald N’48, ’52 (Company B) died November 25, 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Born to an American mother and a Scottish father, he returned to the United States at age 6 with his mother and siblings to escape the escalating World War II tensions spreading across Europe. Though the family was reunited after the war, Chattanooga became their official home. Jack attended the McCallie School and Culver before going on to earn a degree at Emory University and further study at the London School of Economics. An ensuing successful career in business as a financial advisor and entrepreneur as the founder of Green Acres of America, allowed Jack to pursue a lifetime commitment to philanthropy and contributions to his community. He became heavily involved in politics as the chair of the Young Republicans in the 1970s and was also a Congressional candidate. Throughout his life Jack continued to support and campaign for candidates on the local and national levels. He also invested his time and resources to revitalize the Tennessee River waterfront and transform Chattanooga into a scenic city. He served on several boards, including Friends of the Festival, Moccasin Bend Task

Force, River Gorge Trust and Mark Making. Jack is survived by his wife, Alex, three sons, and one daughter. A brother, John Hutcheson McDonald, preceded him in death in 1951.

Charles Brittsan Kirkdoffer W’47, N’49,’53 (Band) died May 26, 2017 in Bonney Lake, Washington. He graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in English literature and was drafted into the U.S. Army, doing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, followed by 21 months in counter intelligence in Seattle, Washington. After the Army and a three month tour of Europe on a motor scooter, he relocated to Seattle to work for Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, where he had a 25-year career in marketing and sales until his retirement in 1991. Chuck provided faithful service for many years as the Class of ’53 secretary. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, one son, one daughter and two grandsons.

David March Walrod W’49, N’53 died December 9, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Navy and then worked as a radio engineer for 50 years.

He retired from Miami University. David is survived by his wife, Marjorie, two daughters, four sons, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Benjamin “Ben” Terry Smith Jr., ’53 (Troop A) of Thomaston, Georgia, died January 15, 2018, at the Upson Regional Medical Center. He attended The Lovett School and Culver, where he was a member of the polo team and Black

and history of the South. As a young boy, he enjoyed spending time with his great-grandfather, who had served as a Confederate soldier. He spent much time researching his family’s genealogy and constructing the family tree with stories, pictures and other artifacts from the past.

He is survived by his wife, Kay, two daughters, one son and five grandchildren.

Horse Troop. He then earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia, followed

by Law School at Emory University and admittance to the Georgia Bar in 1960. Ben practiced law in Atlanta and Thomaston and was past president of the Griffin Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He served in the Georgia Air National Guard as staff sergeant and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal during basic training at Sheppard Air Base. He was also president of the MidGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association. Ben also managed the family’s Windsweep Farm, raising registered Champion Polled Hereford Cattle and homing pigeons. He was a member of the Thomaston First Methodist Church, Sunday school teacher and member of the Golden Age Men’s Club.

He was a former member of the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, founding member of the Atlanta Polo Club, and member of the Piedmont Driving Club. He is survived by his wife, Katharine, one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren.

John “Jack” Cline NB ’53 died March 2­­, 2018 in Novi, Michigan. He attended Culver Summer School for three summers and was the lead of the trombone section in 1952 when the band had the largest number of members – 84. He was also a member of the Summer Dance Band. Jack earned a degree from Albion College and worked for the U.S. Customs Service from 1956-1971 and then as a Customs broker for John V. Carr and Son until his retirement in 1996. Jack was preceded in death by one son.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, one son, one daughter, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Barney Hines Hilburn ’53 (Battery A) died February 5, 2018 in Hallsville, Texas. He graduated from Culver, followed by earning a degree in geology planning at the University of Texas. He then joined his father and grandfather in the oil field business, where he spent the majority of his career. In 1978 he moved to Avinger, Texas to supervise building homes and eight years later, he served as fire and safety inspector until his retirement. Barney’s two great loves were his family

Thomas Lee Dettelbach ’54 (Battery B) died September 11, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tom was born in Cleveland and grew up in Lima, Ohio.

After graduating from Culver, he graduated from The Ohio State University and served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He started in advertising and worked as a real estate appraiser. Later he graduated from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, joining the fledgling firm of Kahn, Kleinman,Yanowitz and Arnson,

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

51

IN MEMORIAM where he spent the bulk of his legal career. Tom was a talented lawyer and musician, whose smiles, stories and jokes entertained friends, relatives and juries for decades. Tom was a community and legal leader who served as president of both the Cuyahoga County Bar Association and its charitable foundation. He never was able to turn away from either a request from a client in need or a request to sing a song to a group, especially if there was a microphone and large audience available. He is survived by his wife, Myrna, two sons and a brother Richard’51.

Richard Allan Fry W’50, ’55 (Company B) died September 3, 2017 at home in Green Springs, Florida surrounded by his family. A resident there since 2005, he retired as vice president for Volney Felt Mills (Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company) after many years of being involved with the family owned business. The proceeds from the sale of the company in 1977 now serve as the endowment of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, which focuses on programs that improve conditions for low income, underserved communities in Chicago that foster learning and innovation. Richard enjoyed researching his family origin in his later years as well as watching sports and spending time with his family. He was a wonderful husband and loving father. Richard was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Allan Fry, Jr. and Jesse Sinclair Fry T’84, and a daughter, Heidi Marie Martinek’76 (Benson). He is survived by his wife, Janice, children Judson M.

52

SPRING 2018

Fry, Stacie A. Fry, Sonya F. Mella, Wendy F. Hess SC’83,’88 (Linden), 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Dr. John Dawson “Daws” Burns DDS ’55 (Battery A) a longtime Tucson, Arizona

craftsman and humorist, none who knew him will soon forget his hearty laugh or generous spirit. Preceded in death by Jean, his wife of 57 years, Daws is survived by one daughter, and two sons, Jack and Brad’81 (Troop A).

at Stetson University and finally joining the law faculty at the University of Oklahoma. He taught courses in agency and partnerships, corporations, and state and federal regulation.

He was also special counsel for the North American Securities

dentist, died October 1, 2017 following an extended illness.

Daws Burns was raised in Tucson, Arizona and Grand Prairie, Texas. He attended the University of Arizona and graduated from dental school at Loyola University of Chicago in 1963. Daws entered private practice as a general dentist in Tucson in 1964 and treated patients in Tucson and Green Valley for more than 40 years.

Well known across Tucson as a Little League dad, somewhat reluctant horse ranch owner, wine aficionado, western art collector, skilled woodworking

Joseph Carney Long ’57 (Band) died November 22, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma.

After Culver he attended Dickinson College in Pennsylvania before graduating from the University of MissouriColumbia in 1961. He later earned a J.D. from the same school in 1963, as well as an LLM from the University of Virginia in 1972. Joe started his long legal education career in 1966 as an assistant professor at the University of South Dakota, followed by a graduate fellowship at the University of Virginia, an assistant professorship

Administration Association and author of Blue Sky, a two- volume treatise, as well as law review articles and teaching materials. He retired after 31 years of distinguished service.

His other professional affiliations include the Oklahoma Bar Association, American Bar Association, Judge Advocate Corps of the U.S. Army, and counsel and consultant for the Oklahoma Securities Commission. Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Meg. He is survived by his second wife, Barbara, two sons, and four grandchildren.

Col. Charles “Dave” Bender, (Ret.) W’51, N’55, ’58 (Battery B) died at his home in Edgewater, Maryland on March 9, 2017. After graduation from Cornell University in 1962, he completed a master’s degree from Ball State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1969 as an airborne infantry and military intelligence officer. He was in the 101st Airborne division, attended Command and General Staff College, was assigned to U.S. Army IG, was commander of the 104th CEWI Batallion and J2 of U.S. Forces Japan. When he retired, Dave was head of intelligence for the Defense Nuclear Agency. For his service, Dave earned several awards of distinction, among them the following: Defense Superior Service medal; Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal;Vietnam Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Citation w/Palm; Combat Infantryman Badge; Senior Parachutist Badge; Republic of Vietnam Honorary Jump Wings and Overseas Service Bars (4).

In retirement, Dave worked for Stanford Research Institute, International for almost 27 years as director of Special Research and Development Intelligence programs. He and his wife were active in the German Shepherd Rescue, Cornell recruiting and sponsored numerous midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Dave was a PADI Dive Master, had a commercial pilot’s license

A N D R E B ALZ LAC Y Andre Balz Lacy N’56, chairman of the Indianapolis-based LDI Ltd., philanthropist, civic leader and lifelong resident of Indiana, died November 20, 2017 while riding his motorcycle across southern Africa. He spent his final hours as he lived, experiencing adventure, and the excitement and lessons it had to offer. Andre took advantage

father’s company, U.S. Corrugated Fibre-Box. As a third generation leader of his family’s business, which was founded in 1912, Andre understood that taking calculated risks and learning from experience were the best means of improving. He guided the company from a small manufacturing operation to one of the largest private companies in Indiana with both national and global interests. He retired as CEO in 2006 but retained his position as Chairman of the Board until his death. He continued to serve on several boards, including chair of the Indianapolis School Board, United Way of Central Indiana and the Indiana State Fair Commission. He and his wife, Julia, made transformative gifts to Butler University’s School of Business, supporting its focus on entrepreneurship and family-owned businesses. Andre served as a mentor to the business students there and held regular office hours on campus. They also seeded fundraising for the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, spurring a campaign that restored the iconic building.

Former Governors Mitch Daniels, Robert Orr and Roger Branigin each recognized Andre with the Sagamore of the Wabash award. Andre

Andre Balz Lacy N’56

contributed his expertise to Culver as well, serving as a member of the Summer School Strategic Planning and Development Committee, the Parents Association Board and the CSSAA Board.

of every opportunity to travel and take risks, including sailing the Caribbean with his sons, bungee jumping in New Zealand, and riding his motorcycle across Russia, China, Iceland and Africa. Empowerment and accountability were the signature traits of his life style and business acumen. After graduation from Denison University, these took root as he worked his way up through the corporate structure of his grand-

and was on the National Ski Patrol. He is survived by his wife, Lesley, two daughters, one stepson and three grandchildren.

Andre was preceded in death by his wife, Julia.

He is survived by three sons and nine grandchildren. Several family members have attended Culver, including his father Howard John II ’25 (Company A); and sons John “JA” N ’82; Peter W’83, N’87 and Mark N’84.

Rhett Wheeler Butler’58 (Battery B) on November 22, 2017 in Lake Forest, Illinois.

The City Council honored his service as former mayor from 1993 to 1996, describing him as “a man of tremendous intellectual energy, always looking

at how to improve and enhance organizations and enterprises.”

Born in the Chicago area in 1940, he was named for Clark Gable’s character in “Gone with the Wind,” at the suggestion of the hospital nurses. While in his 20s, Rhett worked for Goodyear

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

53

IN MEMORIAM Tire and Rubber Company in Ohio and Argentina and was head of the World Trade Division of the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry.

He then took over the family’s metal framing business, which was eventually sold to GTE, for the next decade.

After moving to Lake Forest in 1978, Rhett joined the city’s plan commission in 1986 and became a member of the City Council in 1991 as a Third Ward Alderman, culminating with his successful election as mayor in 1993. During his tenure Rhett was credited with the creation of the city’s first strategic plan, the initial comprehensive park plan and broadcasting city council meetings on cable television. Other accomplishments included a renovation of City Hall, leading a drive to pass a $5.6 million bond referendum for infrastructure improvements and setting up a new computerized firearms training range for police officers. Rhett’s interests also extended to the arts, particularly the Joffrey Ballet and Lake Forest Symphony and to the Museum of Science and Industry and Economic Club of Chicago.

He was honored with the Lawrence R. Temple Distinguished Public Service Award from the city of Lake Forest in 2002. Rhett was also an active contributor to Culver, serving as a class volunteer and as the vice president on the Legion Board. He was elected honorary membership in Culver’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society at the June 2000 Commencement exercises.

He was also awarded the Joe

54

SPRING 2018

Levy Award from the Board of Trustees in 2008. In October 2000 Rhett suffered paralysis from the waist down after a motorcycle accident, but his spirit remained undiminished.

Rhett is survived by his wife, of 52 years, Kay, two daughters, Karen and Elizabeth Butler Pruett’85 (Benson), and five grandchildren.

John Warren Schropp W’54, ’58 (Company D) Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, died on January 14, 2018. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served 24 years in the US Navy, including three tours of Vietnam as a UDT Frogman/ Navy SEAL. He and his team were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon Johnson at the White House. He retired as a Navy SEAL Commander in 1982 and then went to work for Landmark Education, Inc., as a forum leader, conducting leadership, transformational programs for the general public, corporations and organizations worldwide for 28 years, retiring in 2010. He led courses for over 100,000 people worldwide. A published author, Jack wrote a book entitled Unbeatable – Recreate Your Life as Extraordinary Using the Secrets of a Navy SEAL, and used it to conduct his own unique program based on his personal wisdom and military experience. The Culver Board of Trustees named him as the Joe Levy Award recipient in 2008. Jack is survived by his wife, Shari, four daughters, one son, and four grandchildren.

His father, John W’32 was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corp.

Albert Charles Leader ’59 (Troop A) of Lakota Farms, died December 6, 2017 at First Health Hospice House in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Albert had the honor of riding in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Inaugural parade with the Black Horse Troop.

Gus was the captain of the last undefeated football team in the fall of 1958. He played football at the University of Michigan and upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an A6 Pilot with two tours in Vietnam. During his service, he was awarded three Air Medals, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and retired from the Marines with the rank of captain. After his service in the military, Albert attended and graduated with a law degree from the University of Miami Law School. He practiced law at Wilson, Portnoy, Pidgeon, Leader, and Roth Law Firm until his retirement. While in Pinehurst, he was proud to have been instrumental in the dedication of George Marshall Park and served as chairman of the board for Prancing Horse for Therapeutic Horsemanship.

Albert also served as a Culver class agent and volunteer, as well as a director on the Legion Board. “Gus” will be remembered by his family, friends, and animals as a giving, kind, loyal, and loving friend. He is survived by his two children, Zachary and Alexis Leader’01(Atrium) and one granddaughter.

Holt Atherton, Jr. ’60 (Battery C) of Austin, Texas, died October 28, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne.

His father, Holt Atherton’38 (Battery B), was a Culver graduate.

James Franklin “Frank” Hyde ’60 (Company C) died January 31, 2018 in Del City, Oklahoma. After graduating from Culver, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he met his fellow Airman and future wife, Ramona. Frank graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in accounting, and after working for a few firms, founded his own practice, which he ran until his death 35 years later.

He had many interests outside of work, including a great love for the outdoors, fishing, swimming, golfing; earning a 3rd degree black belt in go ju ryu; and being a member of Del City Blue Lodge and India Shrine Clown. He was preceded in death by his wife and is survived by one son, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Allan Greene Brightman ’62 (Company A) died January 26, 2018 in Wilmette, Illinois. He is survived by his former wife, Patricia, and daughter, Courtenay.

Eric P. Thomsen T’61,’62 (Troop B) died December 30, 2017 in Colorado. Born in Blue Island, Illinois, he graduated from Culver, where he was a member of the Black Horse Troop. Later he graduated from the University of Arizona.

He spent most of his life in Leelanau County, as well as Rifle, Colorado and Parachute, Colorado. Rick made a big difference in many people’s

lives. He was a beloved baseball coach for many years locally and in Colorado. He was a cherry farmer and meat manager at Mercantile in Leland. He also ran fishing charters out of Leland and St. Petersburg,

James Craig Jennings N’59, ’63 (Company D) died at home December 26, 2017 in St. Charles, Illinois. Craig was a financial advisor for more than 30 years, most recently with Morgan Stanley. He is survived

Edward Carroll Taber III ’63 (Troop B) died December 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and one daughter. His father, Edward W’28,’33 (Troop I), and brother James ’66 (Troop A) were also Culver graduates.

Alvaro Huberto Atencio ’63 (Troop B) died February 20, 2018 in Venezuela from complications of pneumonia and lung surgeries. He is survived by his wife, Diana, two daughters, Mariana and Graciela, and one son, Alvaro W’01, N’02.

James Clarence Moen ’64 (Battery C) died October 27, 2017 in National City, Michigan. After Culver he joined the U.S. Army, serving for 22 years in 17 countries, including three tours of duty in Vietnam. James loved fishing, woodworking and family gatherings at the Hibbler farm, as well as being an avid fan of trains, ships and horses. His father, James ’43 (Battery B) was a Culver graduate. James is survived by his wife,Vicki.

Florida for many years. He was very involved with churches in Colorado and was a member of Lake Leelanau St. Mary, where he sang in the choir. Rick is survived by one brother, two sisters, his adopted son, Justin Skipski, his wife, Megan, and their two children of Parachute, Colorado.

by his wife, Martha, two daughters, Melissa Jennings SC’91, Michelle Jennings W’01-03, two sons, Jonathan SC’97, and Jeff W’02’, N’05, four grandchildren and two sisters, including Susan Jennings Mitchell ’79.

Patrick G. Riley’64 (Company D), a San Francisco, California native, author, international entrepreneur and devoted wildlife conservationist, died at his home January 3, 2018, following a brief illness.

Driven by an unquenchable curiosity, Pat was a lifelong individualist imbued with entrepreneurial instincts and vision that gave rise to the numerous business ventures he founded. He drew inspiration and a can-do spirit from both sides of his family: his maternal grandfather, Miles O’Brien,

founded South Bend Lathe Works; his paternal grandfather, George Arthur Riley, founded Rieth-Riley Construction, still a significant northern Indiana business. Pat received his B.A. in 1968 from the University of California at Santa Cruz. After college, Pat persuaded the late conservationist Don Hunt and actor William Holden to hire him as Operations Manager for their International Animal Exchange Company, based in Somalia, East Africa. For two years, Pat led safaris in remote regions of Somalia and Ethiopia, capturing endangered cheetahs and other wildlife to relocate the animals to safe locations in Africa and Europe.

One of Pat’s greatest joys was singlehandedly saving the Somali wild ass species from extinction by capturing five of the few remaining animals to be bred abroad. Today while still “critically endangered” there are close to 700 in the world and 200 in captivity.

His wildlife experience led him to Oxford University where, in 1977, Pat obtained a master’s degree in Zoology.

Upon his return to the United States, Pat served as Director of Marketing to URS Corp., a multinational civil engineering firm. In 1980, Pat returned to his beloved Africa when he and his younger brother, Tom Riley, formed General Resources Corporation, an international equipment dealership. Pat was also a strategic services advisor to Tokyo-based firms such as Nippon Television Network, Bandai Entertainment and Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. In 2002, Harper Collins published Pat’s “The One-Page Proposal,” a

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

55

IN MEMORIAM concise guide on streamlining business proposals that was widely translated throughout Asia. Building off the book’s success, Pat founded the One Page Company with his daughter, Joanna Riley. Their startup developed into a publicly traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange. From 19902012, Pat served as a trustee to University of California, Santa Cruz. He also served as a trustee on the Development Trust at Oriel College, Oxford University and was named a Fellow to the London Zoological Society. He was an international board member to Wild Aid, an organization devoted to ending the trade of illegal wildlife. Pat was also an active, enthusiastic member of the Bohemian Club.

Pat is survived by his wife, Maria; his children, Joanna Riley W’94 and son Maximilian Riley W’94; and two stepchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Dr. William’59 and James ’71. His father, William Riley ’31(Company F), preceded him in death.

Thomas Andrew Crain ’65 (Company E) of Hazel Green, Alabama, died February 5, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Indiana, he graduated from Culver and later attended Memphis State University. He also served in the U.S. Army.

Tom operated a coffee shop and bookstore, earned a real estate license and had been a property broker. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana, and is survived by his daughter, Lindsay, and one grandson.

Thomas Herbert Hauser ’66 (Company D) died on Feb-

56

SPRING 2018

ruary 2, 2018 in Hudson, Ohio.

After graduating from Culver, Tom attended Ohio Wesleyan University for two years. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served eighteen months as a helicopter pilot and Warrant Officer with the U.S. Air Cavalry in the Vietnam war.

Upon returning home, Tom graduated from Case Western University in 1975 with a B.S. degree in accounting and became a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. His hobbies included pencil drawings, photography, hiking and biking. He especially enjoyed doting on his grandnephews and grand-nieces. Jack is preceded by two brothers Bruce ’62 (Company D) and Chuck ’69(Company D).

He is survived by two sisters.

Ashland College, where she was a member of the tennis team.

She was also a summer school graduate of Culver Academies and later served on the Parents Board. Wendy began her career in retail for various businesses

leagues, including LCDW-GA. She enjoyed traveling, with her favorite destination being Hawaii. She also enjoyed paddling and was a member of the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association. Wendy is survived

and for the past 11 years was employed by Ross Environmental Services, Incorporated.

She catered as well and had a longtime association with Pink Peppercorn Catering. She ran in numerous 5Ks that supported cures for cancer and other various causes. Wendy’s last race was in June of 2016, when she achieved her goal of running a half marathon before the age of 60. She played in various golf

by her husband of 37 years, Bill, one son Kyle N’99,’03 (Battery A), two daughters, Jodi ’06 (Ciel) and Kelsi ’06 (Deck 4), and 10 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce E. Sommer.

Charles Darryl Williams ’69 (Battery B) died December 23, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander S. Williams III and his mother, Annie Ruth. He is survived by two sons, a daughter and a brother, Dr. Alexander ’68.

Dr. Scott Alan Murphy W’71 of Dallas, Georgia, died May 5, 2017. He was a practicing chiropractor in Georgia for more than 25 years. He enjoyed going to the beach, playing guitar, working out, and trying out new electronic gadgets.

He and his family attended Sanctuary Church in Kennesaw, Georgia. Scott is survived by his wife and two daughters, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Wendy Leigh Sommer Long L’72 (Deck One) of Elyria, Ohio, died June 10, 2017. She graduated from

Floyd Edward Fickle ’72 (Battery A) died October 17, 2017.

Sue Ellen Southwick ’73 (West Lodge) died January 3, 2018 in Hughson, California.

She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and was a former Atwater resident before moving to Sonora. She attended Atwater High School before graduating from Culver Academy for Girls.

While a Sonora resident, Sue worked at Sonora High School, Dario Cassina High School and Theodore Bird High School before retiring in 2010. She enjoyed spending time with her family, painting, photography, dancing, gardening and cooking.

The ocean was one of her favorite places to be. Sue was a devoted and loving mother, wife and friend, and she will be missed immensely by classmates, many of whom referred to her as Zelda. Sue Ellen is survived by her husband, Walter, and her triplets, Christopher, Hannah and Douglas.

George Lorenzo Cottingham III ’74 (Battery C) died November 21, 2017 in Greeley, Colorado. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1978. George is survived by one son and one daughter. A brother, Carl’76, also survives. A memorial service is planned in Mississippi, where he was born. His father, George L. Cottingham, Jr. N’41,’45 (Company A), was also a Culver graduate.

Guillermo Alfonso Borja W’70,’75 (Troop B) died October 28, 2017 in San Salvador.

Keith Arquilla ’75 (Battery B) died December 12, 2017 after a two-year battle with

MDS. He graduated from Drake University and began a career in a number of familyowned businesses, including Bell Lumber and Supply Co., Best Homes, Inc., and Alpha Construction Co., all located in the southern suburbs of Chicago. Most recently he was a project manager for D Construction Co., in Coal City, Illinois, a large street and bridge contractor. Keith was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.

He is survived by his wife, Julie (Willardo)’78 (West Lodge), two sons and two daughters. He is also survived by two brothers, Scott ’69 and Bruce’78.

William Gardner Jenkins N’71,’75 (Battery A) died in St. Petersburg, Florida January 9, 2018 after a brief illness. He attended St. Petersburg High School, Culver and Ringling School of Art. William was a kind soul who was a delight to be around. He was an avid fan of Formula One auto racing and an accomplished sailor, learning with the best at the St. Petersburg Junior Yacht Club.

With a keen interest in both art and boating, he created and ran a successful business designing and installing boat names locally and with clients around the world. He was preceded in death by his companion of 25 years, Debbie Vignoli.

Thaddeus C. Eckenroad W’82, N’85 of Mount Vernon, Ohio, died January 1, 2018 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Thad grew up in Montana and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying rock climbing, hiking and snowboarding. He loved rock music

and served as bass guitarist and vocals for the bands Quash and Jera. He is survived by his mother, father and sister. The family will observe private services in Montana at a later date.

Christopher E. Ultrata N’86 died December 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. After graduation from Upper Arlington High School, he earned a B.A. in Spanish from Hillsdale College and an MBA from Franklin University. He was employed at Wells Fargo as an underwriter. Chris loved watching and discussing sports, especially football and lacrosse, and was an avid traveler. While working in Lima, Peru, he met his wife,Yenny, who survives, along with their two sons and one daughter.

Gerardo Ritz ’88 (Troop B) died February 1, 2018 in Nogales, Arizona. He was general manager and principal of Ritz Produce, as well as principal of Agricola Ritz in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. He was a longtime member of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas board of directors and chairman of several FPAA committees in recent years.

He is survived by his wife, Flora, his mother, five brothers and three sisters.

Harry Clay Gravely IV NB ’93 of Martinsville,Virginia, died December 21, 2017.

He attended Carlisle School, Holland Christian High School in Michigan and graduated from Phillips Academy in Massachusetts. Clay received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1999,

where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Honor Council. He received his law degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 2004. While there, he served two years as a senior staff member of the University of Richmond Law Review, and was a member and chief justice of the Honor Council. Clay was elected and served as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Martinsville from 2014 to 2017 and was re-elected to serve a second term in November 2017. Prior to serving as Commonwealth’s Attorney, Clay managed a private law practice in Martinsville. He also served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney; an associate of the Daniel, Medley & Kirby, P.C. firm in Martinsville; a litigation associate at Hirschler Fleischer, P.C. in Richmond; a law clerk for Judge Jackson L. Kiser of the U.S. District Court from the Western District of Virginia.

Clay worked at the National Republican Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. and served as an assistant campaign manager for a congressional candidate in Michigan. He was also involved as a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Martinsville-Henry County, the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the Dan River Basin Association. He was a longtime attendee of and counselor at the Culver Summer Schools and Camps.

Clay is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their son, H. Clay Gravely V. “Quinn,” and are expecting a second son, Brooks,

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

57

IN MEMORIAM this summer. His mother, Crystal S’63, brother Glynn D&B ’94, NB ’97, and numerous cousins who graduated from the Summer Schools & Camps also survive him.

Jason Stewart Colvin W’89, ’94 (Battery C) died January 6, 2018 in Muncie, Indiana.

an investment banker, working at Triple Tree and Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis, Minnesota and then moving to New York City to work at Moelis and Company. Jeff lived life to the fullest. He loved fishing, hiking, running and body building. He

Claire Elizabeth Van Landingham ’08 (Tower) died January 3, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Claire Elizabeth Van Landingham was born on March 21, 1990, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Her parents put a big pink poster in the window to

had a brilliant mind and keen sense of humor, beloved by his friends and family.

celebrate — not only that there was a new baby, but that she was a baby girl, and a long-awaited one, after two boys. Her older brothers adored their little sister, teasing her one minute but fiercely looking out for her the next.

Not that she couldn’t fend for herself. By age 2, Claire made it known she was a force to be reckoned with. When

Blair Anthony Larson ’99 (Company C), of California, formerly of LaPorte, Indiana, died January 14, 2018 at home.

Blair graduated from Culver in 1999 and then earned a degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Blair loved hiking, hunting, traveling, playing hockey and cooking. He is survived by his wife, Brandy, whom he married in 2017, one sister and one brother.

Mark Wayne Salling ’01 (Company A) of Dallas, Texas, died January 30, 2018. Salling played the role of Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the hit Fox show Glee from 2009-15.

A brother, Matt ’98 survives.

Jeffrey Stuart Farnell W’02 died April 1, 2017 in La Quinta, California. He excelled at sprinting, having won four gold medals in state competition his senior year at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Illinois. He was also the kicker for the state championship football team in 2004. Jeff began his college years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point but was medically discharged five months later.

He then enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a degree in finance in 2010. Jeff became

58

SPRING 2018

Howard William Mauck W’97,’04 (Company C) died November 1, 2017 in Mokena, Illinois.

some friends — including some strapping pre-school boys — gathered at the pool one day, the antics spiraled out of control.

The picture of authority in her tube swimsuit, Claire stood by the side of the pool, shaking a finger as she scolded the bewildered older boys in the water. “Those men took my raft!” The family Christmas letter for that year confirmed Claire’s position. Claire, her mother reported, was “the boss of the universe.” If that was true, Claire was a benevolent boss.

Her heart was kind; her spirit generous; her soul wise. She gave her smile to everyone who needed it; to everyone who hadn’t even realized they did.

Claire took up dance at age 3 and it became her lifelong passion. Ballet, jazz, modern — she loved it all, and in high school she chose dance as her honors focus, along with science, at Culver Girls Academy.

She also played multiple musical instruments, including the guitar, piano, cello, and violin.

(There was also a stint with the baritone; it was, perhaps, slightly larger than she was.) She started Girl Scouts in first grade as a Brownie, eventually earning the organization’s highest honor, the Gold Award, in high school.

As she pursued her own interests, Claire also made time for other people, volunteering for numerous projects and causes.

By high school, Claire’s interest in math and science was emerging. Just knowing that things happened wasn’t enough.

She wanted to analyze them, to learn the how and the why.

She had a special interest in environmental issues, and after

graduating high school in 2008, she found a program that let her go to Vietnam to study environmental problems there.

It was all part of her grand plan: do the best thing possible, be the best at it, and find a scholarship that would pay for it.

After a gap year following high school when she went to Scotland, she returned and enrolled at Indiana University, where she led a Girl Scout troop and ran her own catering business while she worked toward a degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She graduated in 2013 with a major in non-profit management and a minor in chemistry. Organic chemistry flushes out a lot of chemistry students, but substitution equations would not get the better of Claire. She studied her flashcards. Claire’s aptitude for science and dedication to helping people naturally came together in an interest in health care, but she wanted a career that would mesh with her personal goals. Her family was both large and close, and years of raucous family gatherings meant that Claire wanted the time to carry on the same kinds of traditions (and carry on at them — see home videos).

Dentistry seemed like a good fit. That required someone who liked math and science (check), was good with their hands (check), and wanted to help people (check-check-check).

She selected the dental program at the University of Louisville (the students in it looked happy), and her desire to offer service also led her to join the Navy, which sponsored

her through school. During her four years of dental school, she worked in clinics offering services to low-income and disabled citizens who would otherwise have no access. Some

she taught Sunday school and served on the board.

As a long-term goal, Claire hoped to make an even greater impact on health care by changing the fundamental ways

of them had never been to the dentist. Some of them still didn’t want to go — until they met Claire. She took the scary away. She gave them her smile, and she gave them their smiles back. She also volunteered as a Big Sister with the local Big Brothers & Big Sisters chapter, and as a member of the First Unitarian Church of Louisville,

it was delivered, to give people access before they developed major problems. First, she needed to fulfill her Navy commitment, and after graduating from dental school in May 2017, she went to work practicing her push-ups to prepare for ODC, and then began her career as Navy lieutenant in the fall of 2017.

Given enough time, Claire’s supervisor said, she would have made a superior officer, a prediction that surprised no one.

In the 27 years she did have, Claire had already inspired many to describe her as one of the best people they’d ever known.

She shared all her gifts: her energy, her kindness, her delight in all that was fun and silly and good — anything she had to make the world a little gentler.

Everyone who met her wanted to be like her. Her friends’ final gift back to her is a hashtag: #BeMoreLikeClaire. Even just a little bit. Claire is survived by her parents, Shannon Penny Van Landingham and Samuel Van Landingham; her two brothers, Benjamin and Taylor Van Landingham, her paternal grandmother, Georgia Van Landingham; her maternal grandfather, Gordon “Mick” Penny; and a loving extended family and friends who will miss her forever.

Correction: In the Summer 2017 issue, Maj. Gen. Delmar T. Spivey was incorrectly listed as only a Major.

In the Winter 2017 issue, the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Keith Wettig ’72, United States Army was abbreviated.

CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE

59

The Culver Dance Card CULVER’S BELOVED TRADITION of formal dances — and its accompanying Officers Figure and other cherished traditions — began around the turn of the 20th century.

Well into the mid-1960s, a staple of balls at Culver was the presence of the ever-popular dance card. These mementos were an art form unto themselves, often blending seasonally-appropriate imagery with Culver lore, whether the balls held at Thanksgiving, Easter, or Final Ball during June Week.

Cadets jotted down the names of girls — brought in from other schools for blind dates en masse — with miniature pencils dangling from strings affixed to the cards, filling in young ladies’ names next to dances like the Waltz and the Fox Trot.

While dance cards today are a relic of a time-worn past, they remain objects of fascination and affection for guests lingering over their exhibition at Culver’s museum.

Culver Alumni Magazine

The Culver Educational Foundation 1300 Academy Road Culver, IN 46511-1291

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

z

Mexic

o

j Europe

H l a It

y

x

Ta n z a n i a

D Gre

ece