CULVER ACADEMIES OPEN 112^th SCHOOL YEAR

Historic boarding school enthusiastically greets new and returning students

CULVER, Ind., August 25, 2005  – Culver Academies welcomed 765 students from 36 states and 20 countries, including a record 334 girls, back to campus August 24 during the annual opening convocation at Memorial Chapel.

            Beginning his seventh year as Head of School, John N. Buxton used the classical world and Greek mythology as background for opening remarks that stressed the duty each student has in charting the institution’s future course.

            “The decisions you make, large and small, will affect you, the school and others,” Buxton said. “That is a serious burden to carry, but that is the responsibility we all have as human beings and as members of an educational community.”

            He went on to convey the importance of mythology as a window into the human condition. Understanding tales of heroes and heroines and gods and goddesses often provides clues to better decision-making, he said. A reference to renowned psychologist Erich Fromm and a poignant anecdote about famed New Jersey high school basketball coach Bob Hurley prefaced Buxton’s closing comments on what lay ahead for the students.

            “This will be another year when many of you will test your leadership ability, your commitment to excellence, and your character,” he concluded. “You should enjoy this opportunity at this extraordinary school to make the decisions that will bring honor on you and on Culver. Use the threads we give you or the ones you came armed with, and together we will make sure you get to where you want to go.”