A 1990 Culver Academies graduate became the 14th Head of Schools effective June 3. Douglas Bird, Ed.D., succeeds Jim Power, who has been at Culver since July 1, 2016. Bird moves over after serving as the director of Culver Summer Schools & Camps, where he has overseen the planning and operation of the Upper Schools, Woodcraft Camp and Junior Woodcraft Camp, including 1,400 campers and 450 staff members for the past two years.
Prior to returning to Culver, Bird served as the principal of Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., which enrolls approximately 2,500 students in grades 9-12. Prior to his four years at Center Grove, he served as the assistant principal of operations (2008-2013) and student services (2007-2008) at Carmel High School (enrollment 5,000). He taught algebra, geometry, and math at Carmel and Northview Middle School prior to becoming an administrator.
A 1994 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Bird served in the United States Marine Corps until 2001, attaining the rank of captain. He received his Master’s Degree in 2002, his Specialist in Education in 2010, and his Doctorate in 2017 from Ball State University.
While attending Culver Military Academy, Bird rose through the ranks to serve as Artillery Battalion Commander – the same position held by his father, Roger (1969) – and also had a rotation as the Regimental Commander, the top boys’ leadership position, during his senior year. Doug graduated a member of Culver’s academic Cum Laude Society.
Doug and his wife, Cheryl Wilkins Bird, also a 1990 Culver graduate, have strong Culver family ties with fathers, uncles, siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces having attended or attending Culver programs. They have three children: Jacob, a rising senior at Culver; Brighton, who will be a freshman at Culver Girls Academy this fall; and Parker, who will be attending Culver’s Woodcraft Camp this summer.
Andrew Seddelmeyer will assume the role as director of Culver Summer Schools & Camps. Seddelmeyer joined Culver Summer Schools & Camps in 2011 and has served as the director of Upper Schools for the past two years. He served as a division commander at Woodcraft Camp for six years prior. Before joining Culver full time, Seddelmeyer served as a principal, teacher and coach with Waverly (Ohio) City Schools since 1999.
About Culver Academies
Founded in 1894, Culver Academies operates on a 1,800-acre campus located on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind.
Comprised of Culver Military Academy, Culver Girls Academy, and Culver Summer Schools & Camps, Culver Academies’ mission is to educate its students and campers for leadership and responsible citizenship by developing and nurturing the whole individual through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of character.
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