Principal/Dean of Faculty Kathy Lintner joins the pantheon of Culver giants Kathy Lintner’s course as an innovative and creative educator was charted while still in college. Her letter of application to Dean Ernest B. “Benny” Benson in the spring of 1973 noted that:
[My mentor] and I have worked to develop an inter- disciplinary approach to teaching Humanities classes. We have expanded from the traditional use of literature alone as a key to understanding human nature and human dilemmas. Literature is used as a primary source, but it is supplemented with the study of music, art, philosophy, religion, and architecture.
Forty years on, this vision has been realized. The Humanities curriculum is a fitting legacy to this dedicated educator and leader who retires after 31 years of service to the Academies, 23 of which were spent as the Dean of Faculty, making her the longest senior level female administrator in the Academies’ history. One of the first women on the faculty, Lintner came to Culver in 1973 as an Assistant Instructor in English after graduating from Ball State University. She left in 1976 to pursue a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Notre Dame. She taught English for eight years in the Knox Community Schools, serving as the president of its teachers’ union, before returning to Culver in 1988 as a Senior Instructor. Lintner was promoted to Master Instructor in 1990 and awarded the Eugene C. Eppley Endowed Chair of English in 1992. A year later, she was promoted to Dean of Faculty and later Dean of Faculty and Principal of the Academies upon completion of her principals’ licensure through Indiana University. A gifted teacher, Lintner seemed destined for a leadership role that would give full expression to her range of talents and enthusiasms. Writing of her interest in the Dean of Faculty position, Lintner was characteristically direct:
30
I see Culver’s potential smoldering under layers of inertia. The Dean of Faculty’s first job should be to facilitate positive change. Before that can happen, however, a sense of trust must be nurtured between faculty and administration. It is vital that faculty view me as an active listener, one who can empathize but not necessarily agree, one who can clarify issues and work toward resolution. I have been engaged in this process this whole year [but] talking, of course, must be translated into action.
I offer you three precious commodities — my time, my energy, and my loyalty.
SUMMER 2016
Dean Kathy Lintner (center) with Academic Dean Kevin MacNeil (left) and Head of Schools John Buxton.
In her senior administrative role, Lintner has masterfully guided the Culver faculty, supporting the professional growth of each faculty member; recruiting, hiring, and training new faculty; and leading the Academic Department chairs. In her 23 years as Dean of Faculty, Lintner has served on dozens of faculty committees, partnering with administrators and faculty members to design learning experiences for students and faculty. Throughout her tenure, she has remained centered on students, serving as a guide to them on their own hero’s journeys. Lintner and colleague Richard Davies, Ph.D., created Culver’s first interdisciplinary course, Mythology and Literature. She has taught this course since 1992. Over the past decade Lintner has also served as the founding Chair of the Duchossois Family Scholars Program. Twenty years later, those “precious commodities” are clearly evident. But no one succeeds for such a long period at such a high level without reciprocal commitments from family, friends and colleagues. Once featured “At the Head of the Class” in the Parent Newsletter, Lintner named her husband Fred as the person who has most influenced her life and career. “He is my anchor, cheerleader, and best friend,” she said. “I could not do this job without his wise counsel and support.” Fred Lintner retired in 1998 as Culver’s Director of Development. The Lintners have two sons, Steven ’75 and John “Pat” ’76, as well as three grandchildren: Bess Lintner Boswell ’02,