Culver Historical Society to host program on influential academy leader

The Culver Historical Society will host a free public program on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the Culver-Union Township Public Library, 107 N. Main Street, featuring author Dr. Kelly Jordan and his 2025 biography, Culver's Exemplar: The Remarkable Life of Leigh R. Gignilliat.

The book chronicles the life and legacy of Leigh R. Gignilliat, who served as Commandant of Cadets and Superintendent at Culver Military Academy from 1897 to 1939. Under his leadership, Culver became one of the top boarding schools in the country, and his vision helped shape the U.S. military's ROTC program ahead of World War I.

Dr. Jordan is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and The Ohio State University, and has taught at West Point, the Naval War College, and the University of Notre Dame, among other institutions. He served as Commandant of Cadets at Culver from 2008 to 2013. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

The program is part of the Society's summer series focused on America's 250th birthday celebration. Upcoming events include a tour of original presidential documents on July 18, a discussion of patriotic celebrations in Culver's past on June 27, an annual fundraiser concert on August 8, an original one-act play on August 30, and the Society's Stories and Stones cemetery event on September 19.

All events are free and open to the public, with the exception of the August 8 fundraiser. For more information, contact historyofculver@gmail.com.