Overview

No boy who wants to do the right thing will go very far wrong at Culver.Leigh R. Gignilliat This oft-repeated saying of Leigh Robinson Gignilliat encapsulated both his educational philosophy and practice at Culver Military Academy for much of its first 40 years, forming the canon and doctrine of the institution. He was a self-made man of character who made the most of his talents and opportunities to become something far greater than he ever could have imaged for himself. Gignilliat personified the culture of character promoted by Culver, using discipline and love to gain the willing obedience of his charges and did much to build the Culver brand. Gignilliat was a tremendously accomplished educator, leader, and innovator, and a masterful marketer and promoter. He enhanced Culver as an institution by his willingness to make and re-make himself into the model of what he wanted to be, what he needed to be, and what the school and that the school needed him to be. His selfless service brought national renown to Culver and helped to solidify Culver's reputation as one of the very best educational institutions in the country. His achievements place him in the first rank of American 20th century secondary educators. The presence and spirit of Leigh R. Gignilliat at Culver provided the institution, faculty, staff, cadets, and campers with a common understanding of what was expected of a Culver person for over 100 years, making him one the most influential people during Culver's first century of existence. Gignilliat's example is timeless, and his actions still have much to teach the Culver community and contemporary professional educators.

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Reviews

John Buxton, Emeritus Culver Academies Head of Schools ""For anyone interested in the history of education, military history, the world wars and America's preparation for them, or a compelling biography of a military and educational leader during the first half of the 20th Century, Kelly Jordan's biography of Gen. Leigh Gignilliat is a must read."" Does a remarkable job of ""blend[ing]... research and companion voices,"" using ""modern philosophy and psychology to buttress [the] narrative"" to connect ""a treasure chest of loose ends"" among the many disparate pieces of Culver history known by many. ""[I] thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated"" this ""magnum opus,"" which strikes ""the perfect cords throughout and brought the man and the institution to life."" ""[T]hank you [for writing this book]."" ""I certainly wish you had written this 25 years ago so I would have had the benefit of understanding Culver more fully when I arrived."" Jeff Kenney, Culver archivist and historian A ""fascinating and informative read"" that is that is ""wonderful in multiple ways!"" ""[T]he research is phenomenal;"" ""unearths so much great info and context"" ""[W]ell written;"" ""the writing style is clear but engaging;"" ""a great read, really engrossing, informative, and page-turning"" ""[R]emarkable, not merely a reporting of collected facts but contains invaluable context and perspective, placing it so well within the framework of the larger perspective on Gignilliat's life."" A ""thorough,"" ""important, and worthy book that will be an invaluable contribution to the body of writings on Culver's history."" Mary Margret Gignilliat, granddaughter of General Leigh Gignilliat ""This [book] helps me understand the driving force that made [my grandfather] able to accomplish so much."" ""It is well researched and beautifully written."" ""I am so impressed with the research you did and all the details you included in the book."" ""What a wonderful book to have to get to know a grandfather [I] never met.""

Author Information

Dr. Kelly C. Jordan is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Professor of Military and National Security Studies at American Military University, and former Commandant of Cadets at Culver Military Academy, 2008-2013. Dr. Jordan received his B.A. from the Virginia Military Institute, graduating with academic distinction and as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He holds a M.A. and a Ph.D. in military history from The Ohio State University and is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. As an academic, Dr. Jordan is an award-winning professor who has served on the faculties of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the United States Naval War College, and the University of Notre Dame. As a scholar, he is the author of numerous military history and leadership studies publications.

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