CulverCurrents Legion updates Culver ring to recognize alumni service in the War on Terrorism BY ALAN H. LOEHR JR. Director of Alumni Relations One of Culver’s most treasured traditions has been updated. As of Aug. 1, 2014, all CMA rings now feature a sixth star, representing alumni service in the Global War on Terrorism. Alumni service in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are the five previous military conflicts represented by a star.
The L.G. Balfour Company, now a subsidiary of the American Achievement Corporation, has been the exclusive vendor of the Culver ring since 1924. The ring has a no-charge lifetime guarantee, so resizing, refinishing, re-engraving, or replacement due to faulty materials or inadequate workmanship are all free and part of the original agreement. Additionally, the agreement stipulates that Legion is the sole owner of the ring and that direct sales from Balfour are not permitted. According to Monte Reed, the Academies’ Balfour representative, Culver is its oldest high school class ring account and is considered its most prestigious. It should come as no surprise that Culver’s per capita purchase rate is higher than any other high school in America. The Alumni Office, acting as the Legion’s agent, maintains records for all rings purchased, including size,
gold content, and type of finish, as well as the inscription each customer uses on the inside of the ring. Since the ring debuted, orders for an estimated 20,000 rings, including re-orders, have been placed. In 1916, a 10-karat ring sold for $20; a 14-karat ring for $24. Today, those rings sell for $739.95 and $889.95, respectively. If you are interested in a replacement ring, contact the Alumni Office. Editor’s note: With appreciation to Academies Historian Bob Hartman for excerpts previously published in his story, “Rings on Their Fingers,” which can be viewed in its entirety at www. culver.org/digitalvault.
Existing Culver rings.
The ring has undergone several updates since its commissioning in 1916. The number of stars has varied from four in 1916 to five immediately after World War II. At the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the Culver Legion agreed that the number of stars would match the number of conflicts in which alumni had served.
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SPRING 2015
Photo by Lewis Kopp W'66, '71.
New CMA ring design.