From the Class of - Alumni

Winter 2014
Class of 1983
The arctic freeze of January 2014
disrupted travel, campus life and
sports for Culver students.
Last month’s record cold temperatures and whiteout conditions threw Culver into a holding pattern
while many students’ return to campus after the
Holiday break was delayed for days. Classes
scheduled to resume on Monday, January 6th were
cancelled. Required attendance at breakfast was
lifted and all sports events were cancelled. It was
Thursday before the students were back in class.
Best snow day(s) ever!
Class News
We are proud to announce Alex Kurrelmeier has been
named Director of The Ron Rubin School for the
Entrepreneur at Culver. This is fantastic news for Alex
and for the Rubin students. Alex recently told us, “It is
great to be among the kids. Their energy is infectious.”
If you are not familiar with this unique program, take a
minute to learn more at http://rubinschool.org.
Julie Bess is also a member of the Culver staff and is
Assistant to the Dean of Faculty/Principal.
Class of ’83 is making a daily difference in the lives of
CMA and CGA students!
Have some news to share? We’d love to include it in the next newsletter!
CLASS CONTACTS:
President: Ann Quigg Curtis, [email protected]
Development: Pinson Neal, [email protected]
Communications: Darcie Dodds Schott, [email protected]
Database: Javier Granados, [email protected]
Unit Coordinator: Chris Steely, [email protected]
International Students: Louisa Elder, [email protected]
You can also check out Culver news on Facebook:
Class of ’83: https://www.facebook.com/198330thReunion?fref=ts
Classes 1980-1984: https://www.facebook.com/groups/29512223327/
Culver Academies: https://www.facebook.com/CulverAcademies
Culver News
Culver Academies Introduces Dedicated YouTube Channel
Culver Academies launched its official YouTube channel on Jan. 21. The Academies is now able to
showcase its “Forge Your Future” video series as well as offer coverage of specific events and selected
student-produced videos.
With YouTube now second most popular search engine, Culver will be able to reach out to a wider audience
with its dedicated channel. It gives you, the viewer, a faster download speed. The channel can be easily
integrated with Facebook, allowing you to share favorite videos.
The first video added is “Constructing Worlds of Meaning,” which covers academics at Culver. Other videos
added include a flyover across the new Oliver Field artificial turf and a short on the “Pass It On” campaign
supported by the CMA and CGA diversity councils. The most recent video is “Character On and Off the
Field.” Enjoy viewing these great Culver videos!
You can subscribe to the channel so you can be notified when additional videos are added, including
additional “Forge Your Future” videos. There is also a dedicated channel available for Culver Summer
Schools & Camps, which you can be access through the Culver Academies Channel.
Upcoming Culver Club Events
Culver Club of Southwest Florida, February 28, 2014 ~ Luncheon
Florida Culver Clubs and the Steinbrenner Family, March 1, 2014 ~ Yankee Day
Pam and John Buxton, March 13-16, 2014 ~ ONE Culver Events in California
Houston Culver Club, April 6 2014 ~ Second Annual Houston Polo Club
Pam and John Buxton, April 9, 2014 ~ ONE Culver Event Downtown Chicago
South Florida Culver Club, April 13, 2014 ~ International Polo Club at Wellington, FL
For more information on any of these events,
please visit our website www.culver.org/alumni or contact:
Maria Benner, Culver Clubs Coordinator
[email protected] 574-842-8321
The Impact of Your Giving for Culver Students
Financial aid for deserving students at Culver is provided via gifts to The Culver Fund and also by endowed
scholarship funds via an annual draw. The relationship between The Culver Fund and the Endowment is an
important one. If the Academies’ $7.3 million Culver Fund fundraising goal is met for the current fiscal year,
then the budgeted financial aid dollars are available for deserving students. Additional financial aid is needed,
however, to fill the “gap” between the amount families can afford for their students to attend Culver and the
$42,000 tuition, room and board fees (plus uniforms and books). Endowed scholarship funds like the Class of
1983 Scholarship help great students attend Culver and truly makes a difference in their lives. Thank you for
your support of Culver!
From the Class of ’83 Scholarship Recipient
Dear Members of the Class of 1983,
My name is Joseph Whippo and I am a four year senior in Battery C (for those of you
who haven’t met me already). I currently hold the position of Artillery Battalion Head
Motor Pool Officer. My role in the Artillery Battalion is to oversee and train drivers on
the M37 Dodge power wagon and M35A2 deuce and a half. I have successfully trained
over 15 drivers for the Artillery Battalion. I have also been involved with the training
of new drivers for the Four Gun Drill Team. Within Battery C I hold the position of
platoon commander. In this position I oversee 15 cadets and ensure that they are on the
right track to fulfill Culver’s mission statement of educating the mind body and spirit. I
also work closely with Battery C’s unit commander, counselor, and executive officer to
establish goals and review results to effectively advance the unit and Artillery Battalion.
This year I have a full load of classes. I am taking Latin III, The American Civil War,
Pre-Calculus II and III, Servant Leadership, Ragtime to Rap, and Engineering I. Later
in the year I will take Intro to Psychology, American Government, American Identity,
Health Issues, Engineering II, Speech, and the History of Rock and Roll. As I first
classman I have a chance to take more electives.
Joe Whippo,
CMA 2014,
Lakeville,
Indiana
I spend much of my athletic time working on developing my strength. I recently
participated in a strength training competition in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I competed in
the 220lb weight class (even though I weigh only 205 lbs.) and I competed against
mostly adults. I was happy with my deadlift, pulling 496 lbs. My bench and squat were
not where I would have liked them to have been, but I have taken what I learned from
competing and have applied it to my training. I am already seeing amazing results!
After applying these new techniques I increased my deadlift to 525 lbs., my bench press
to 355 lbs., and my squat to 385 lbs. in less than 7 weeks. Going to school and weight
training on a daily basis has allowed me to build a stronger body, mind, and spirit. It
also has allowed me to become more in touch with what truly matters in my life –
school and competing. Both require a large amount of my time on a daily basis
eliminating most of my free time. I have learned to prioritize my activities and use any
remaining free time to connect with friends and my brothers in the unit.
Your scholarship has affected my life in such a drastic fashion that words can barely
describe it. It has allowed me to foster powerful relationships and connections with
friends and competitors I would have never met if I wasn’t at Culver. It has allowed
me to get into to the college of my dreams. I attribute a good portion of my future
successes to Culver and to you. I will be forever grateful. Without the Class of 1983
Scholarship, I would not have been able to experience all of these wonderful things.
Thank you,
Joseph Whippo, CMA 2014
Class of ’83 Giving Update
Each year our Class leaders work with development officer Cathy Zurbrugg to set Culver Fund
fundraising goals for the fiscal year (July 1- June 30). This year’s Class goals are $60,000 and 25%
participation. To date, we have Culver Fund commitments (gifts and pledges) of $20,915 and 9%
participation. Please join those listed below, who have already made a Culver Fund commitment
this fiscal year, to increase our amount raised and participation in support of the Class of 1983 and
deserving students who will benefit from the Culver Experience. Gifts may be made by credit card
online at www.culver.org/makeagift or via the enclosed envelope. Thank you!
Brian Bourgraf
Louisa Elder
Alex Kurrelmeier
Ann McAllister
Pinson Neal
Renee Roelke Provost
Stephanie Scopelitis
Paul Clifford
Ross Fisher
Chuck Hoover
Ross McNutt
Mike O’Daniel
Enrique Sada
Karl Urban
Ann Quigg Curtis
Joe Jefferis
Ross Koller
Patrick Moynihan
Greg Pohl
Darcie Dodds Schott
Please Add Your Name Here!
ON CAMPUS
Diversity Pass It On Campaign
Last year, the Academies’ CMA and CGA Diversity Councils
launched an anti-bullying campaign We Don’t Do That Here in an
effort to reinforce the need to respect all individuals. This year,
the Diversity Councils are launching the positive take on this
message via a campaign called Pass It On. The Pass It On
campaign promotes respect and diversity at Culver by focusing
on inclusion, sharing, respect, courtesy, support, and
appreciation. The Councils’ members feel these actions are
important and should be a part of everyone’s daily lives at
Culver. The campaign hopes to educate the Culver community
on how each of the themes can be applied to one’s daily life.