Jack Allen '66 (a five-year man) and Woodcraft Class of 1962.

The Legion has had 76 Presidents, several of whom are in this room tonight, and the history books definitely will note you as one of the most proactive, innovative, and energetic leaders in the annals of the organization.

Culver means a great deal to you and your family - Pam is with you tonight and I know she shares all your warm feelings for this school and the people who have served, and continue to serve the school today.

One of your two daughters graduated from CGA - that was Molly in 1996.  She was one of Culver’s first English Speaking Union Scholars, and she will graduate from Northwestern University next month.  Your oldest daughter, Mandy, didn’t attend Culver, but she is just as familiar with it, since she works with my son, Jim, in Los Angeles, and his office probably can be considered the hub of Los Angeles Culver Club activities.

As Legion President, you set forth a very clear set of goals and you have achieved many of them in this short two years.  You made sure everyone on the Board took responsibility for a specific job or jobs so they felt their meeting time and returns to Culver were very worthwhile. 

Programs like the Ethical Decision Making Program have been strengthened and others initiated like the Young Alumni Awards you will give out this Sunday night, the Mini-Woodcraft Camp at this year’s Reunion, and the broadening of the class agent volunteer base within each class.  All these build alumni loyalty, strengthen our admissions efforts, and provide great public relations for the school.  Much of the credit for the monthly newsletter blast, The Culver Cannon, that many of us receive must be given to you.

You have been a major supporter and leader in the Culver Clubs International effort, serving in nearly every leadership position in the Central Ohio Culver Club and constantly looking for the “hook” that will sustain the clubs in the long run.

You have made strides with the faculty in terms of communicating what the Legion is doing and most importantly you have made a major effort to educate the current students, particularly each graduating class, regarding the privileges and responsibilities that come with Legion membership.

The Legion has made significant strides to assist our admissions efforts and increase the enrollment figures for alumni offspring.  Boosting our annual fund campaign and the productivity level of our class agents, especially this year, has been an important goal of yours and I hope the 40% Annual Fund participation challenge is a success when we close the books on June 30.

Challenges like increasing the profile of the Legion with alumni, increasing the presence of the Legion on the Internet and World Wide Web, and educating more alumni about the exciting things that are happening on campus today lie ahead.  But those are for Paul Much, your successor, to tackle.

Jack, let me not delay any longer in giving you this Mike Curtis Eagle, signifying your service on the Board of Trustees.  With it goes our very grateful appreciation for leading a revitalized and active Legion Board.  If we can maintain the momentum, your legacy will be a truckload of dividends paid to Culver on all fronts - most importantly - an involved, energetic, and educated alumni body working in consort with the school to make this a better institution.