Words of retiree Joe Horvath echo across the campus As a gift to the Class of 2016, Joseph Horvath, a 34-year veteran of the Academies’ faculty, addressed the graduates at the May 28 Commencement Convocation. A former member and head of both the History and Humanities departments who also taught Russian, Horvath was a coach, a long-serving intern coordinator, a friend to people across the campus, and one of the first recipients of the prestigious Batten Fellowship. Head of Schools John Buxton called Horvath “a true Culver exemplar (and) the perfect person to deliver this address. Consider this,” Buxton said, “a gift to you on the eve of Joe’s retirement.” Horvath focused his remarks on the “echoes that ring true to so many of us at Culver” and what they represent. “More often than not,” he said, “(echoes) serve as reminders of where we have been and where we are headed.” Horvath then verbally meandered the campus, visiting the Math, Science, Modern Language, Fine Arts, Athletic Joe Horvath and Humanities departments, dropping the names of colleagues along the way while having fun with plays on words customized for each.
• The challenge for each of us, as we put thoughts and dreams into action, is how we handle the triumphs and disasters encountered along the way. “How we handle each will echo loudly who we become,” Horvath said. • “Use this weekend to celebrate your parents and grandparents, your sisters and brothers, your counselors and coaches, your military mentors and resident directors, and perhaps even a teacher or two.” As his professional and personal journey across campus came to a close, Horvath “heard and saw the echoes of the distant and recent past. Names commemorating sacrifices and achievements of those who walked before us are etched on Chapel, Legion, and memorial walls; on athletic plaques and trophies; on monumental halls and buildings, and even faintly scratched on benches and trees and desks.” In the end, Horvath realizes the echoes proclaim that “history is for all ages.” “I finally understood since, you see, I am but a simple student of history. So ladies and gentlemen, and most especially to you, the Class of 2016, I implore each and every one of you to go out and make some history!”
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Steve Schumerth, Instructor in Leadership Steve Schumerth retires from the Academies with 29 years of experience, the last 13 as an instructor in the Leadership Department, where he taught the sophomore classes and assisted with the Senior Practicum.
Horvath shared several personal observations that he deemed useful for the soon-to-be graduates: • “I would suggest that the starting point in any endeavor is important,” he said, noting how, as a new teacher, he missed the opening day of classes at Culver because he thought the schedule was a misprint. “I mean, who holds classes on Labor Day? I soon discovered that Culver did. An inauspicious beginning … you bet. My initial days at Culver did not echo favorably.” • Learning is a lifelong process, but sometimes learning is not so rigorous. Sometimes learning is but a truism in life that has not been explored. • “It’s not have a good life, it’s live a good life,” Horvath said, sharing how he had been corrected by a challenging student.
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Steve Schumerth
Schumerth joined the staff in August 1987 and served 16 years as the counselor of Battery C before transitioning to the classroom.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and with an advanced degree from Valparaiso University. Schumerth taught in private schools at the middle school/junior high level and worked in