Comments on the Passing of George Steinbrenner: From Culver Academies Head of Schools John N. Buxton

CULVER, Ind., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Culver Academies lost a dear friend, a generous benefactor, and a wonderful embodiment of the Culver value system. George Steinbrenner has graced Culver with his presence as a Woodcraft camper, a cadet member of the Band, an athlete of significant skill and accomplishment, a Trustee, a father, and a grandfather, but most importantly as a loyal and devoted friend since the early 1940s.

The Steinbrenner Recreation Center, the Steinbrenner Track, and the Steinbrenner Performing Arts Center stand on the campus as the obvious symbols of his commitment to Culver, but George contributed so much more to Culver than these impressive structures. First George believed so much in this school that he entrusted his four children to it. They in turn entrusted their children to Culver; and the result has been a special family affair with one school that now spans generations.

In 2007 George wrote in a letter to the president of the Culver Board of Trustees—a man who was George's personal friend—that, "I was extremely fortunate to have had parents with the courage and the foresight to send me to Culver Military Academy. Culver had a huge impact on me and I will remain faithful forever and my commitment will never waiver. I have had a great deal of good fortune in my life and being in a position to share that good fortune has been a privilege and an honor."

Our hearts are with the members of his family today. They lost a father and a grandfather who anchored their strong family. Culver lost a graduate who understood the power and influence of a school like Culver and who was willing to sacrifice personally to support and improve it. The world lost a "character guy" who did more than his fair share of helping those less fortunate than he was. We all are saddened by his passing, and we will miss him.

About Culver Academies

Located on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind., Culver Academies is a boarding school offering a college-preparatory curriculum for boys and girls in grades nine through 12.

Annually, Culver has a minimum enrollment of 800 students from more than 40 states and 25 countries. Approximately 15 percent of the students are from such countries as Canada, China, Ecuador, Germany, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, and Taiwan. More than one third of students receive need-based financial aid.

Culver’s mission is to educate its students for leadership and responsible citizenship by developing and nurturing the whole individual through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of character.

Founded in 1894, the boys’ school, Culver Military Academy, is based upon a military-type system used to teach self-discipline, responsibility, and leadership. Culver Girls Academy, founded in 1971, and is based upon the prefect system, with girls practicing democratic, self-rule to achieve similar values.

The Academies and the six-week Culver Summer Schools & Camps, with an enrollment of 1,400 for boys and girls ages 9-17, operate on the same 1,800-acre campus in Marshall County in north-central Indiana.

Accomplished Culver alumni (grad year follows each name) also include Tennessee Titans owner K.S. “Bud” Adams ’40, actor Hal Holbrook ’42, Weather Channel founder Frank Batten ’45, Penske Corp.’s Roger Penske ’50, retired Cummins Chairman and CEO Jim Henderson ’52, Bill Koch ’58, winner of the America’s Cup yacht race; former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating ’60, former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh ’69 of Indiana, children’s book author Jon Scieszka ’72, Abbott Chairman and CEO Miles White ’73, and five-time National Hockey League all-star and 1986 rookie of the year Gary Suter ’82.

For more information, visit www.culver.org.

SOURCE Culver Academies