More than 100 colleges, military academies draw hundreds to Culver Academies’ college fair

 

Hundreds of students from Culver Academies and other area high schools explored college options from coast to coast and from elite universities as more than 100 colleges and universities gathered on campus for Culver’s biennial college fair.

“There were so many great schools here, some that students may not know by name,” said Stacey Patrick, Culver’s dean of advising. “This was an opportunity for students to discover something new and start asking questions.”

Students met with representatives from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Notre Dame, Marquette University, Miami University, Michigan State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, among others. Schools from as far away as Boston University, the University of Miami, California Polytechnic State University and the University of Richmond also participated. Indiana’s flagship institutions, including Indiana University, Purdue University and Rose‑Hulman Institute of Technology, were represented, along with all five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Military recruiters also took part.

“It’s a really good opportunity to look at a lot of schools. I’ve talked to Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Bowling Green and Boston University,” said Loden Johnson ’28, who is interested in majoring in business management or supply chain management.

The event was held Thursday at the start of Parents Weekend, allowing families an opportunity to take part.

“This is really about getting families involved in the conversation,” Patrick said. “Parents and students are already talking about college — at home, over breaks, sometimes with older siblings who have already gone through the process. The college fair gives them a place to continue those conversations together.”

Parents often help students articulate interests and strengths during conversations with admissions representatives, Patrick said.

“Often a parent will say, ‘Remember when you told me you were interested in design or marketing?’ and that helps spark a deeper discussion with the college rep,” Patrick said. “Those conversations are incredibly valuable.”

 

 

The fair is aimed primarily at high school juniors, though sophomores and freshmen also attended.

“It’s a good opportunity for students to see colleges that we’re interested in,” said Cruz Brown ’28.

Brown had already talked with Boston University, Michigan State and Miami of Ohio about their mechanical engineering programs.

His mother Mandy Brown, a Michigan State graduate, said the schools they were talking to at the fair will help determine which schools they might eventually visit.

“It’s impressive that they have this many schools here for the students to talk with individuals and learn about the schools,” she said. “We’re only beginning the process. He’s still trying to determine what’s important to him and what he’s looking for.”

Lydia Sorgen, an admissions counselor at Mississippi State University, was impressed by the fair.

“This is a big college fair with great students. Sometimes you go and students aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for. Students here seem to know what they’re looking for. They seem like they’re ready to go to college. I’ve talked to a lot of great students,” she said.

Culver Academies is an elite leadership-oriented boarding school in Indiana. Sorgen said Mississippi State is expanding into this region.

“We’re a huge engineering and agriculture school. So we feel like a lot of these students might be interested in Mississippi State. We’re in the Southeastern Conference and we have a lot of unique opportunities to offer.”

 

The event was open to more than Culver Academies students, serving as a form of community outreach. About 300 students from four area high schools — La Lumiere School, Triton High School, Plymouth High School and Culver Community Schools — attended a morning session.

“We are so excited because we’re pumped to share with our students more than 90 college reps and service academies here today,” said B.J. Awald, director of guidance at Plymouth High School. “These are schools they were never going to explore going across the country on their own. So the exposure with the opportunities that they have today is phenomenal. It’s something they would not be able to see at other college fairs.”

Students also were impressed.                                                                             

“This is incredible,” said Maddox McCready, a junior at La Lumiere School. “There are a lot more booths than I was expecting. I’m looking for certain schools, but I’m also exploring the options.”

Other students agreed.

“I like how they have colleges from so many different states,” said Elijah Woodward, a junior at Plymouth High interested in majoring in business or mathematics. “I think it’s a good opportunity for students to get an overview of the colleges and what they have to offer.”

The fair also reflects changes in how students and colleges connect. Students used a mobile app called StriveScan, which allows them to share contact information and academic interests with the schools via a QR code scanned at each table.

“If a student stops at a table, that college can now communicate with them from now until the time they apply,” Patrick said.

Patrick said interest in the college fair was strong with some admissions counselors returning after visiting campus in the fall.

“They know the kind of student they get from Culver,” she said. “For schools to prioritize coming back, that’s a point of pride for us.”

Patrick encouraged students to look beyond familiar names.

“Yes, there were popular tables with long lines,” she said. “But I’m also urging students to visit three or four schools they’ve never heard of. That’s where the real discovery happens.”

For Patrick, the goal is simple: start the process early and make it accessible.

“This is about getting the wheels turning,” she said. “The earlier students begin exploring, the more confident and informed their choices will be.”