YOUR IMPACT 2020-2021
Dear Friends, As we reflect upon the past year, I hope you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment regarding Culver and the young people who benefitted from your generous support. Your contributions to the Culver Fund and other areas allowed us to navigate the pandemic successfully and welcome our students and campers back for on-campus living, learning, and leading. Thank you for your investment in Culver and its students and campers. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support! From the beginning of the prior academic year, it was clear that the students and campers embraced the situation they faced and remained committed to making it an excellent experience despite any necessary restrictions and changes to the protocol. Faculty and staff rallied to provide the structure for the new normal. As one would expect, our Culver community came together and had an excellent experience that included rigorous academics, extracurricular opportunities, and leadership training. The following stories will give you a sample of the many ways in which Culver students persevered and thrived. For each example, there are more we could share. Thank you, once again, for your generosity and vision. It is making a difference in the lives of our students and campers and our faculty and staff. We will not forget all the good you continue to do for Culver! With gratitude,
Doug Bird ’90 Head of Schools
What Was Contributed? $5.8M
raised for Culver Fund
(an increase of 3% over the past fiscal year)
A shout-out to our boarding school and summer parents, who gave almost $1.4M of that total.
$3.9M
raised for Endowment
5,945 gifts were made to the Culver Fund. 37.5% of those gifts were less than $100. All gifts matter!
Your Impact
Your gifts bring numerous young people to our academic, summer, and leadership programs. You support the faculty and staff that structure, teach, and guide all that we do. BOARDING SCHOOL
SUMMER SCHOOLS & CAMPS
838 students from 40 states & 24 countries 132 faculty and student-supporting staff 6:1 student to faculty ratio
1,263 students from 44 states & 23 countries 420 staff 3:1 student/camper to staff ratio
$13.8M+ 48%
provided in financial aid and scholarship
of the student body benefit from some form of financial support
Financial Breakdown NET INCOME SUMMARY 2020-21
51%
Tuition & Fees, net
34%
Endowment Draw
10%
Culver Fund
5%
Other Income
Your gifts are so important!
NET EXPENSE SUMMARY 2020-21
35%
Academic and Student Life Compensation and Benefits
24%
Administrative Compensation and Benefits
19%
Facilities and Utilities
12%
Other Expenses
10%
Student Programs and Services
Keeping Students In-Person
If Culver had superheroes, the dynamic duo of Colonel Mike Squires and Raubyn Barich were our two in 2020-2021. Colonel Squires willingly served as the Covid protocol leader, which required him to study and learn a whole new subject (which was continuously changing) and confidently implement a plan to keep our students safely in-person. Raubyn ’88 worked tirelessly with Colonel Squires and her medical team to administer over 75,000 tests. Beyond testing, they were involved with Culver’s quarantine and isolation plan and provided guidance on classroom and dorm safety, athletics, and other planned events. They provided a structure for our students to succeed with in-person learning and provided students with a real-life demonstration of how to be flexible and deal with the unknown.
Despite the masks, testing, and social distancing, the ability to be in-person for my last year at Culver is something for which I will always be grateful. –Maura ’21
Our Community Excelled
True to form, the community came together with an attitude of “let’s do this.” Collaboration and problem-solving were on display. Culver students, campers, faculty, and staff created an exceptional experience for themselves despite the pandemic. Examples include:
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A 1st classman in Aviation created a plan for students quarantining this summer that kept them engaged in Culver leadership and routines even though they were temporarily away from their decks and units.
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Students from CMA and CGA proposed moving Fall Ball outside to adhere to safety protocols. They were able to maintain all the traditions associated with this event.
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Woodcrafters used modified schedules to accommodate fewer people in the Orthwein Dining Hall during meals and more classes outside. Picnics and lots of fresh air were there for all!
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Culver Connections Weekend went online, and numerous Culver alumni shared information about their work and experiences with students via Zoom. We welcomed alumni guest speakers from around the world.
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Students in theatre found a way around not having an audience for which to perform. Performers created short skits that could be televised. They adapted their craft to the “venue” available.
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While weather permitted, faculty took their technology and teaching to the great outdoors!
International Students Connect
Despite being abroad, nearly 100 international students (mainly from the Asia/Pacific region) engaged fully in academics, leadership, fine arts, and clubs via online connections. Faculty and staff created the structure for meaningful engagement. CMA boards were passed, and CGA Crests were earned. These students held leadership positions and were responsible for all their jobs entailed. One student ran the Dean England Day ceremony at the Chapel from her computer at home in China!
Summer Solutions
The closure of Summer Schools & Camps in 2020 left several incoming 2nd classmen in an age-out status where they would not be eligible to attend the 2022 summer session as 1st classmen. In response to this problem, Upper School staff created a two-week Officer Candidate School (OCS) program to support these students. Based on the OCS program utilized in the U.S. armed forces, the program at Culver held unique seminars and a specialized leadership course during the two weeks. These intensive learning opportunities prepared students to assume the duties and status of first-classmen within the summer. Fourteen percent of the Upper Schools student population were in the OCS program this summer.
Parade Across America
While most of the world was shut down and students were learning online, Culver horsemanship students prepared for their potential participation in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. Hours of practice took place despite uncertainty if the event would occur. If invited, 2021 would represent 18 years of Culver’s participation in this ceremony. At the 11th hour, members of the Black Horse Troop and Equestriennes learned of the invitation to participate…virtually! Without hesitation and with the support of coaches, instructors, and other adults on campus, these equestrians represented themselves, Culver, and Indiana with pride and excellence. The performance was so well-received that our riders were invited to participate in a National Memorial Day Parade (also held virtually).
A Tale of Two Grads Traditions are strong at Culver, and missing any of them can be difficult for a young person. This rings particularly true for the year-end traditions. In May 2021, Culver reopened its doors to former seniors and first-classmen who missed the opportunity to walk through the Iron Gate and CGA Arch in 2020. With protocols developed over the course of the year, Culver students from 2020 and 2021 safely and successfully had their own day to walk through the gate and arch to join the ranks of the Culver Legion. The joy surrounding all of the events reminds us of the importance of Culver connections and friendships, along with the celebration surrounding a job well done.
I am challenged on a daily basis and am truly grateful for your investment in me and my success. –Aiden ’22
I do not doubt that Culver students and adults alike will embrace the chance to use what we’ve learned over the past year to transform our school into an even more vibrant learning community. –Emily Uebler, Humanities
Summer camp has been a life-changing experience for me through its challenges and lessons. I’m so grateful to be part of this forever family and so happy we were on campus for my final summer. –Sarah W ’18, SG ’21, ’22
It is because of people like you that we were able to have a successful year when so many struggled. We were blessed.
–Dustin Smith, Mathematics
Culver Mission
Culver educates its students for leadership and responsible citizenship in society by developing and nurturing the whole individual – mind, spirit, and body – through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of character.
YOUR IMPACT IS IMMENSE, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU!