What follows are day-by-day descriptions and pictures of what we all did during the Mini.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Homestead House

Living Room

One of the Bedrooms

Upon arriving in Culver, the first stop for attendees was the Culver Homestead (our Headquarters for the Mini) to pickup keys (for those staying in Academy-provided housing) and Goodie Bags (for each classmate).

The Goodie Bags (generously stuffed by Craig Duchossois) consisted of this useful and impressive array of items:

• Maps and driving instructions to keep us all from getting lost

• The book “Pass in Review” by honorary classmate Bob Hartman (1993)

• The book “Why Culver” , a memoir by retired Head of Schools John Buxton (2022)

• A maroon Culver letter-sweater featuring the logo for the classmate’s sport … with stripes for years of lettering and (if appropriate) a star for being Captain of their team

• For each spouse: A white sweater embroidered with a big maroon letter “C”

… all in a large Land’s End canvas tote bag with the Culver logo on it. Quite the set of keepsakes from the weekend.

Attendees drifted in over the course of the afternoon and early evening. Eventually, 10 of us headed to Papa’s Restaurant (across the road from the old Original Rootbeer Stand, in the direction of the Academy) for a rousing dinner.

Andy Malcolm, Doug & Edie Neumann

Emily Baker, Carol & Phil Wright, Dan Baker

Afterward, we headed to our respective accommodations following the heavy day of traveling for most of us.

The tour was led by Andy Seddelmeyer (Deputy Director of Schools) with support from Alan Loehr (Director of Stewardship), Anne Kelley (Director of Alumni Engagement), and other members of their teams (zipping us around in golf carts to cut down travel time for we increasingly slower walkers).

Alan Loehr Andy Seddelmeyer

Dan Baker, Cuzi Murai, Emily Baker, Jay Owen, Phil Wright, Doug Neumann, Mike Ryan, Andy Malcolm, Bob Sindelar, Mona Owen (mostly hidden), Mike Koether

Faculty Housing

The tour began with the faculty housing located north and east of Academy Road (the road that heads into Logansport Gate, then makes 90-degree left to pass by the Dining Hall). In order to acquire and retain the most qualified faculty and staff, the Academies have recently been placing increased emphasis on the quality and quantity of Academy-owned-and-leased housing available.

One example that we were able to tour inside was the former home of Al Nagy (history teacher and Battery C counselor in our day; later the Deputy Superintendent) … now the residence of Josh Pretzer (Dean of Faculty). (Sorry, no pix.) The recent massive renovation of the house was targeted at opening up the floor plan to encourage student/faculty gatherings.

New Barracks: Lauridsen & Main

Culver has the long-term goal of all-new housing for the entire student body. The Roberts and Lauridsen Barracks are completely new structures near the Dining Hall. Lauridsen, which exclusively houses the Band, was our first stop on the tour of barracks.

Cadet Lounge
Alan Loehr, Anne Kelley, Carol Wright, Janet Duchossois, Mona Owen, Dan Baker, Andy Seddelmeyer (back to camera), Bob Sindelar (mostly hidden by post), Cusi Murai, John Davis, Jay Owen, Phil Wright (Names of cadets unknown)

A sample room. Note that all doors still have windows in them, but instead of hanging a rug over the window for privacy (doing so warped the door frame), a sliding panel was added to each door.
Unclear what the guidelines are for the panel being open or shut.

Walls of the new barracks are decorated with murals.
This one is obviously for the Band.

Next on the tour was the newly-reconstructed Main Barrack. That is, after the end of the 2021-2022 school year, the old Main Barrack was scraped to bare earth and re-built from the ground up to incorporate the latest technology … and to last for 125+ years as its predecessor did.

On the front steps of the new Main Barrack: Andy Seddelmeyer and Alan Loehr (with Lou Desenberg in the back taking pictures)

On the steps of the entrance to the new Main Barrack:
Andy Seddelmeyer, Lou Desenberg, Craig Duchossois
(with Craig recounting the background of Classmate George Robert’s contributions to the new buildings)

Main Barrack Entrance (from a different angle)

The Foyer of Main Barrack

L to R: Andy Seddelmeyer, Lou Desenberg, Janet & Craig Duchossois, Emily Baker, Mona Owen, Dan Baker (seated … staring to the right), Rene Murai (looking at Andy), Jay Owen, 2 Ladies from Culver staff, Bob Sindelar, Doug Neumann (seated);
Foreground (back to camera): Ginnie Koether

For those who lived in old Main, probably one of the more significant improvements that came with the new building (thanks to its new plumbing system) is that one no longer has to yell “FLUSH!!!” if someone is in the shower.

Check out this video tour of the new Main Barrack.

As part of the development of the Roberts Residential Quadrangle, North and East Barracks (also home of the Sallyport, “Great Hall”, “Guard Shack”, and Admissions Office) have recently been torn to bare earth. Rest assured: The Sallyport will return in the reconstruction of the 2 barracks. Here is a video of North and East just before demolition began.

Left: Roberts Barrack

Center: The “hole in the ground” left by the demolition of North and East Barracks

Right: Main Barrack

The “hole in the ground” viewed from steps beside Roberts Barrack

The “hole in the ground” viewed through a hole in the fence of the picture above.

Following the tour, we had a bit of a breather to checkout the Campus Store (a/k/a Book Store or Eagle Outfitters) in the lower level of the Dining Hall… a major step up from the Quartermaster (QM) Store of our day. The location is the area of the Canteen/Bowling Alley/Model Trains in our day.

Lunch with Duchossois & Hartman Scholars

Our next activity was to gather at 11:30 AM in the Heritage Room of the Legion Memorial Building (the Library in our day). After an outstanding buffet lunch (courtesy of Academy’s Stewardship Department), Susan Freymiller-deVillier (Master Instructor and Chair of Leadership Education) led presentations from 4 scholarship students:

Duchossois Family Scholars

• Lily Anwarzai, Honor Council Rep, CGA Class of 2025

• Jade Springer, Senior Prefect, CGA Class of 2025

• Tobias Tilley, First Sergeant, CMA Class of 2026

Bob Hartman Scholar

• Parker Prater, Operations Sergeant, CMA Class of 2026

To say we were impressed by these students is a massive understatement. After their presentations, we had the opportunity to ask them questions. And the students had requested that after our questions that they have the opportunity to ask us questions. While we were able to start responding to them, time ran out, and they had to get back to class. We could have queried each for the rest of the afternoon.

Admissions and Academics Update

Following the student presentations, Steven Pietraszek (Director of Enrollment) and Josh Pretzer (Dean of Faculty) gave us updates on the admissions process and academics. Here is a link to the presentations which each made.

For the rest of the afternoon, we were all on our own, gathering around 5 PM in various locations for small groupings to partake of some adult beverages.

On the Porch of Craig’s Cottage: Mike Koether, Mike Ryan, Craig Duchossois, Ginnie Koether, Nannie Sue & Bob Sindelar, Janet Duchossois, Cusi Murai, Marty Oberman

The Evening in Eagle Stadium

This is a stock photo. No one from our class in it.

Football Game

The great news: Culver beat Breman High School 31-7 … giving them a 6-1 record for the year and 5-0 at home!!! For more details, click on this link.

Friday Dinner

At 6:45 PM, we gathered in the West Suite of the new Eagle Stadium for a delicious and filling ball-game style buffet dinner. Classmates all dressed in their letter sweaters from the Goodie Bag and khaki pants while their spouses wore their “C” sweaters.

Looking down a table (from one end; L to R): Carol Wright, Stephanie Fohey, Doug & Edie Neumann, Rene & Cusi Murai, Bob & Nannie Sue (mostly hidden) Sindelar, Marty Oberman (mostly hidden), Tom Westbrook, Bill Fohey, Betsy Davis. The lady walking behind Doug Neumann is Anne Kelley (Director of Alumni Engagement).

Looking down the same table (from the other end; L to R): Nannie Sue Sindelar (the back of Bob’s head is in the foreground), Marty Oberman, Tom Westbrook, Bill Fohey (looking toward the camera), Betsy Davis, Carol Wright, Stephanie Fohey (mostly hidden), Doug (hidden) & Edie (back of head) Neumann, Rene & Cusi Murai

Cheerleaders — Then and Now

At 7:00 PM, classmates and spouses gathered on the sideline of the track around the football field to be honored with a photo-op with the CGA Cheerleaders. The ‘62 Cheerleaders at the Mini (Neumann, Koether, and Duchossois) particularly enjoyed comparing cheers with today’s cheerleaders.

Sorry, no recording of what Craig was saying to get so much attention from the two cheerleaders, but Doug and Mike sure seem interested.

Doug Laipple, Jay Owen, Bill Fohey, John Davis, Andy Malcolm, Tom Westbrook, Doug Neumann, Mike Koether, Dan Baker, Craig Duchossois, Bob Sindelar, Rene Murai, Mike Ryan, Marty Oberman, Phil Wright

And here are some of our ladies watching us with the cheerleaders … with some documenting the event photographically.

L to R: Emily Baker, Cusi Murai, Carol Wright (reaching high), Edie Neumann, Anne Kelley (Director of Alumni Engagement), Becky Laipple, Mona Owen, Betsy Davis, Stephanie Fohey

The “March-On”

Following our time with the cheerleaders, the Corps of Cadets honored us with a “March-On” and salute.

And here are some semi-posed pix of the Mini’s attendees before and after the March-On.

Becky & Doug Laipple

Bob Sindelar, Dan Baker

Mike Ryan, Marty Oberman

Special Presentation

At halftime, we enjoyed two “desserts”.

• The first was a selection of mouth-watering cheesecakes.

• The second was a video of scenes from our 1962 Commencement.

  Check it out.

Watching the disclaimers at the start of the video.

Saturday Dinner

Cusi Murai, Janet & Craig Duchossois, Andy Malcolm, Ginnie & Mike Koether

Andy Malcolm, Mike Hood

Ginnie Koether (standing), Cusi Murai, Stephanie Fohey, Mona Owen, Edie Neumann, Emily Baker, Carol Wright, Betsy Davis

Guy’s Lunch

While the ladies had their catered and fun luncheon in a most scenic spot, the guys were told they were “on their own” for their mid-day meal. Most gathered at the “no lake view” Lakehouse Grill.

Bill Fohey, Jay Owen, Dan Baker

“During the mini reunion, the spouses were treated to a wonderful luncheon and tour of the rowing facility hosted by Anne Kelley (the Director of Alumni Engagement).  It was a fun event -- which started off just a little rocky for Carol Wright, Edie Neumann, and me.  When asked where the rowing facility was located, our husbands pointed vaguely to a spot in the distance and said “It’s the white building over there”.  I put the name Culver rowing center into Waze and it took us to a red-brick building.  There was only one car parked outside, and the three of us looked at each other and said, ‘This can’t be the place — it’s not white’. I called John and described where we were and he confirmed that we were in the right place.  The three of us were perplexed – why are they saying the building is white?  Well, during our tour we got our answer when we saw a plaque commemorating the building – the White-DeVries Rowing Center.  Or in Culver speak…the White Building. 

“Once actually in the building, we had a delightful lunch, followed by a tour of the gorgeous facility.  The highlight of the tour had to be getting to practice with an oar in the indoor rowing tank.  When she was a student, Anne was on the Culver Rowing Team and was a patient and fun teacher as we kind of got a rowing rhythm going.  I am not sure rowing is in any of our futures, but it sure was fun. Many thanks to Anne for taking time out of her Saturday to host us.“ 

On the veranda of the Rowing Center: Ginnie Koether (standing), Stephanie Fohey, Mona Owen, Edie Neumann, Emily Baker, Carol Wright, Betsy Davis

No people in either of the photos, but here is a look at each of the two dining rooms in Café Max
Established 1985 (i.e., after our time at the Academy), but a frequent stop during past Reunions and Mini Reunions

Thus ended the Mini Reunion!

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, we grudgingly acknowledge Rene Murai for being the 1% inspiration for the concept of having this Mini Reunion while acknowledging Dan Baker as the 99% perspiration that made it happen.

The planning and execution of the Mini could not have happened without the prodigious assistance and contributions from Anne Kelley (Director of Alumni Engagement) and Alan Loehr (Director of Stewardship) plus the time and efforts from Andy Seddelmeyer (Deputy Director of Schools), Susan Freymiller-deVillier (Master Instructor and Chair of Leadership Education), Steven Pietraszek (Director of Enrollment), and Josh Pretzer (Dean of Faculty). Also, thanks to Jeff Kenney (Culver Academies Museum - Archives Manager) for his contributions and advice in the creation of the video of our 1962 Commencement.

In addition, Doug Bird (Head of Schools) and his wife Cheryl joined us for Friday night dinner at the football game. The class is ever so grateful to Dr. Bird for providing so many of his key people to support our Mini.

And last, but far from least, thanks to Craig (and Janet) Duchossois for the contents of our Goodie Bags and hosting that fabulous Saturday night dinner.

And this web page could not have been populated without the photographic contributions from Dan Baker, Lou Desenberg, John Davis, Anne Kelley, Doug Laipple, Andy Malcolm, Rene Murai, Doug & Edie Neumann, Jay Owen, Mike Ryan, Bob Sindelar, and Phil Wright (i.e., pretty much everyone who attended). Over 500 images were received … 58 of them were of the cheerleaders! Quite the job to pick the best of the best.

Your webmaster's apologies to those who feel they were under (or over) represented in the images included, or whose images may not be as flattering as they might wish.