Our donors are wonderful people and they lead by example. We thank them for their generous gifts. They support us in providing the whole person education that allows our students and campers to be responsible citizens and leaders in society.

"Guga" Tosi Donates First Paycheck To Culver Annual Fund

Luis Gustavo “Guga” Tosi CMA ’07 is attending college. In a letter to John Buxton, Culver’s Head of Schools, Tosi wrote of the “many firsts” he has experienced since departing Culver: “The first time earning an income to sustain myself, pay for rent, water, light, and groceries, while trying to save some for travel. The first time seeing the Pope and visiting his home and garden. The first time visiting France, England, Ireland, Bulgaria, Egypt, and others. The first time sleeping on a street bench through a cold and wet night in Paris. And the first time working in both a Spanish and Italian hospital.”

For a semester in Rome, Tosi attained an internship at the hospital where the Pope is treated, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, working in the Neurosurgery department. “This is my first paid internship,” Guga wrote, “and luckily in a very prestigious hospital.” He made another first after his first payday as an intern: Guga made his first gift to Culver – in the amount of his entire first paycheck!

As he explained in his letter, Culver is a special place to him: “I think that the reason I have been able to experience and achieve the things I have up to now is because of, first, my parents and second, Culver. Because of the opportunities and support it gave me. Chances to learn, try new things, accomplish, make mistakes, and then keep our chin up and keep going. This is why I would like to try and start giving back to Culver some of what it has given me, so it can keep on giving to others in the future. Since Culver has also helped me to receive it, this is the first check of my internship. It is not much, I know, however even if it were 1,000 times this amount, it would not equal to what Culver gave me and what it means to me.”

Vaughn Family’s Support Brings Tales Of Outdoor Adventure To Culver

When Ed Viesturs talks about reaching the top, people should listen. Widely regarded as America’s foremost high altitude mountaineer, Viesturs has climbed many of the world’s most challenging summits, including ascending Mount Everest six times.  Four years ago, he completed his 18-year quest to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountains (above 8,000 meters) without the use of supplemental oxygen.  In doing so, he became the first American and only the fifth person in the world to accomplish the feat. Viesturs told a packed auditorium of students about his achievements during a visit to Culver in February, 2009, as a featured speaker for the Vaughn Family Outdoor Leadership Series.

Funded by the generosity of the Robie Vaughn family (Robie CMA ’74, his wife Fallon, and their children Robert CMA ’06, and Browning CGA ’08), the Vaughn Outdoor Leadership Series was established to introduce Culver students to adventurers and explorers who share their outdoor experiences, challenges, and passions.  In Viesturs’ case, the students also learned his personal motto, perhaps one of the major reasons the one-time veterinarian has climbed so many mountains safely and returned to tell the tale:  “Reaching the summit is optional, making it back down is mandatory.”

Robie Vaughn himself is no stranger to mountain-climbing (to give you some idea of how good an outdoorsman he is, he’s even ascended a few with Ed!) and once unfurled a Culver flag on top of Mount Everest!

CSM John W. "Sarge" Hudson Black Horse Troop Pasture

Thanks to the generosity of the Russell T. Bundy Family, the pasture at the corner of U.S. 10 and Indiana State Road 17 will forever be known as the CSM John W. “Sarge” Hudson Black Horse Troop Pasture in honor of the late “Sarge” Hudson and his love of Culver Academies’ students and horses.  Fittingly, a black sign with gold letters has been installed on the site to commemorate Sarge, one of the legends of Culver’s horsemanship program, a man whose greatest loves included horses, kids and Culver.  Gilbert L. Bundy ’77, William D. Bundy ’93, and Robert A. Bundy ’99 all were members of the Black Horse Troop and admirers of Hudson, the great horseman and United States Army veteran who served in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II.  “Sarge” Hudson served as a horsemanship instructor at Culver for more than 20 years following 30 years of service to his country.

Jodi DeFord Brasfield Memorial CGA Endowed Scholarship

In the DeFord family, James W. DeFord ’57, his brother, John ’51, and their father, Deane C. DeFord ’26 attended Culver Military Academy. Although Jodi, the daughter of Dr. James W. and Teresa O. DeFord, did not attend, she exemplified the type of young women who graduate from the Culver Girls Academy and become leaders in their communities throughout the world. She was an exceptional person. James DeFord wrote, “Jodi was a wonderful person and was a joy to be around as a child and adult.” She was married and had two wonderful children. She was successful in business, volunteered in several civic organizations, and was active in her church. Unfortunately, Jodi DeFord passed away at the young age of 36.

To commemorate her memory and spirit, and to continue the DeFord legacy at Culver, James and Teresa DeFord established the Jodi DeFord Brasfield Memorial CGA Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship enables outstanding young women to attend Culver that may not have been financially able to do so. The DeFords had the pleasure of meeting the first scholarship recipient chosen for the 2006-2007 school year while they attended Jim’s 50th Class Reunion in May. They joyfully confirmed that she reflects the character and spirit of Jodi DeFord Brasfield. In the years to come, other exceptional young women will attend Culver because of this generous gift.

Carl P. Horneman CMA Endowed Scholarship

In his 50th Reunion biography, Carl P. Horneman ’57 wrote that Culver’s teachers convinced him that he wanted to teach. He went on to do so, teaching Spanish from 1961 through 1986, after which he retired to travel. Horneman’s devotion to learning is evident in how he lives his life. He was inspired by the Jodi DeFord Brasfield Memorial CGA Endowed Scholarship and decided to endow a scholarship similar to the one created by his classmate James DeFord. Horneman’s generous gift to fund the Carl P. Horneman CMA Scholarship is an example of his love of learning and his support of Culver. This scholarship will allow deserving young men to attend Culver, where they will gain a strong foundation based on accountability, self-discipline, and responsibility for themselves and others. They will make great lifelong friends, as Horneman did. His By Example campaign donation enables young men to learn leadership skills and to become well-rounded and responsible citizens.

Heise Family Scholarship Endowment

Since 1902, campers have been coming to Culver during the summer for days filled with learning about leadership, character, and friendship. This summer, over 1,300 girls and boys attended Culver Summer Schools & Camps. Richard A. Heise, Sr. recently established a $500,000 Endowment, which provides tuition assistance for children from low-income families who attend Culver’s Summer Programs, with particular emphasis on Woodcraft campers. Those awarded the scholarships join the ranks of boys and girls who build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of achievement at Culver Summer Schools & Camps. The Endowment recognizes the unique and positive experiences of sons Michael R. Heise W’74, Richard A. Heise, Jr. W’78, Allen W. Heise A’78, Thomas C. Heise W’80, grandson Matthew Heise W’06, and grandchildren yet to attend.

The Norman V. Kinsey Academic Chair in Science

Culver Academies’ faculty inspires and motivates students to accomplish great things. Academic chairs honor esteemed faculty members and provide the resources to endow the position. In recognition of the continued need for academic chairs, the Norman Kinsey family has generously funded the Norman V. Kinsey Academic Chair in Science. The Kinsey Family recognizes the accomplishments and dedication of the faculty at Culver to accomplish the mission of Culver and to continue the tradition of educational excellence. Norman and Margaret Kinsey’s sons, Glenn V. Kinsey ’73, Christopher M. Kinsey ’75, and Richard N. Kinsey ’80 graduated from Culver Military Academy, and granddaughter Kara V. Kinsey ’06 graduated from the Culver Girls Academy. Granddaughter Camille S. Kinsey ’09 currently attends the Culver Girls Academy. The Kinsey family has been dedicated to Culver throughout the years and this gift will continue to inspire and benefit Culver’s faculty, students, and alumni.