Culver Academies Raises $376 Million In By Example Campaign

CULVER, Ind., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Culver Academies, one of the nation's leading college preparatory schools, has just concluded the most successful fund-raising campaign in the history of American secondary schools, raising over $376 million over eight years with its By Example Campaign.  

A significant result is an increase of more than $180 million to the school's endowment, making Culver's endowment one of the largest among secondary schools nationwide. The original campaign goal of $200 million was surpassed in 2007, and was increased to $300 million.

"The funds raised through the By Example Campaign will support the sustainability of Culver, a place where many leaders across our society were shaped as young adults, including public servants, CEOs, authors, professional athletes and entrepreneurs," said Head of Schools John N. Buxton. "The result went beyond our expectations and speaks volumes about the ongoing commitment of the Culver community to ensure that we can deliver on the principle tenet of Culver's mission – educating future leaders and global citizens."

"We are delighted and grateful that our alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students have contributed so generously to achieve this remarkable result in our By Example Campaign. It is testimony to their belief in the importance of a Culver education in today's world. Their support has strengthened Culver immeasurably and is especially significant in this time of economic uncertainty," said James A. Henderson, chairman of the Culver Board of Trustees for 10 years through May 2010.

" Culver stands out as a most successful example of secondary school education, even among private schools of its type, in an environment in which the conversation about the future of education continues to take on more importance," said Miles D. White, By Example Campaign chair, chairman of the Culver Board of Trustees and chairman and chief executive officer of Abbott, the global healthcare company.  "The impressive results of the By Example Campaign reflect the accomplishments of the institution, its faculty, staff and students, who are committed to excellence and leadership and strive to that end every day, decade after decade."

About the By Example Campaign and Plans for the Gifts

• Frank Batten, alumnus and the founder of the Weather Channel, and his wife, Jane, funded the Batten Leadership Challenge, a $50 million matching challenge grant in the fall of 2008.  The Batten Leadership Challenge raised more than $100 million for the school's endowment, and was recognized with two awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE):
• Culver Academies received a 2010 Circle of Excellence (CASE) Grand Gold Award, CASE's highest honor, in the category of "Principal, Major or Special Giving." Culver was the only Grand Gold winner amongst 76 entries in this category, and the only secondary school awarded this honor; the remaining gold winners were universities.
  • The Battens were awarded the 2010 Seymour Preston Award, presented annually to an independent school trustee for exceptional commitment and leadership in developing voluntary support for his or her institution.
  • 42,000 gifts were given to Culver from 12,000 donors .
• 72 gifts of $1 million or more were contributed.
• Students contributed to the campaign by making annual fund gifts and promoting student events for the Batten Leadership Challenge. Faculty and staff contributed almost $200,000.
• Six new merit scholarship programs were created to enable Culver to continue to attract the very best students.
• 105 named scholarships were funded to provide financial aid to students.
• Nine academic chairs and five new fellowship programs were created in addition to funding faculty training and support.

"The By Example Campaign's support of the endowment, scholarships and faculty programs ensures we can continue to nurture the human aspects of and contributions to Culver, our most important asset," said Buxton.

About Culver Academies

Located on a scenic 1,800-acre lakeside campus in northern Indiana, Culver Academies offer a coeducational college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12, and an unparalleled summer experience through the Culver Summer Schools & Camps for boys and girls ages 7-17.

Culver educates its students for leadership and responsible citizenship in society.  This is in addition to its rigorous and well-respected academic and extracurricular activities.

Founded in 1894, the boys' school, Culver Military Academy, teaches young men leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility. The Culver Girls Academy, founded in 1971, is based upon the English prefect system of student leadership to achieve similar values for young women.