Class of ’62 Student Enrichment Event
Campus Visit by Charles Vogl
February 23-24, 2026

Background

In today's increasingly disconnected world, Charles Vogl offers practical wisdom for organizations grappling with the epidemic of loneliness and low engagement. As a thought leader recognized by Google as a pioneering voice in workplace community-building and an International Bestselling Author, Charles brings a unique blend of ancient spiritual wisdom and modern organizational strategies to address the critical need for authentic, face-to-face connection and belonging. His insights have revolutionized how global companies like Google build meaningful relationships, fostering innovation and integrity through genuine human interaction. With an M.Div. from Yale and a deep understanding of community dynamics, Charles equips leaders with powerful tools to create cultures of real, in-person connection and enhance employee engagement.

The Event

Mr. Vogl’s visit began on the evening of February 23 with a “campfire” experience for select student leaders in the Alumni Lounge of the Legion Memorial (the library in our day).  The participants included Dorm Chairs, Unit Commanders, and one junior per dorm and unit.  His “campfire experience” was designed to help them get to know one another.

The next morning a breakfast was arranged for Mr. Vogl with the two students (Katie Gao, Steve Gray) who had been selected to interview him during the All-School Meeting and the two faculty members (Andy Strati, Emily Uebler ) who arranged his visit.  At 10 AM, the All-School Meeting with the full-student body began with a 45-minute talk by Mr Vogl addressing context, defining community, and extending Invitations. The talk was followed by a 15-minute interview by Katie and Steve.  

Next, Mr. Vogl, the student leaders from the previous night’s “campfire experience”, plus their counselors had a light lunch in the Legion Memorial. That was followed by a workshop that built on the lessons from the previous night’s “campfire experience”. Following a break, Mr. Vogl conducted a 75-minute “campfire experience” for the adults who had signed up.  Following the “campfire experience”, Mr. Vogl kept himself available for adults who had wanted to interact with him, but could not commit to the full 75-minute experience. 

Overall, the feeback from students and faculty was all very positive.

Bill Cleavenger, Charles Vogl, Tom Westbrook

For more many more details, see the article published in the Culver Cannon.

CLASS OF 1962 STUDENT ENRICHMENT FUND EVENT FEEDBACK
Speaker – Charles Vogl
February 23-24, 2026

As compiled by Alan Loehr, Director of Stewardship

Student Feedback

 As a student leader, I found Charles Vogl’s visit incredibly impactful, not just for me, but for our entire community. His reflections on invitations, belonging, and purposeful leadership challenged us to think more intentionally about how we welcome others and show up for one another. Preparing for and leading the session pushed me to grow as a communicator and collaborator, and it sparked meaningful conversations among students long after the event ended. I heard from many classmates who felt genuinely inspired by his message and appreciated the space it created for deeper, more authentic connection. Opportunities like this elevate our learning beyond the classroom, and I’m grateful to the Class of 1962 for making experiences like this possible.

-- Steven Gray, CMA ‘26

As one of the student leaders selected to take part in a workshop with Charles Vogl, I was able to greatly benefit from this time. This time allowed me to uncover important conversational and community building skills that are being lost in our current generation. Now, I have the ability to use these skills on campus, on the athletic field, as well as after my time at Culver ends, to grow and create new communities. He helped me bring out a side of myself that I had not expressed in quite a long time and I am incredibly grateful for that. After this workshop, I conversed with my peers, and we all came to the conclusions that this was time well spent. We all greatly benefited by strengthening these skills that are so easily lost over time and now hope to find a way to create environments on our campus for fellow students to have these conversations and practice these skills. 

--Bodhi Harmon, CMA  ‘27

Listening to Charles Vogl was a truly meaningful experience. I had the honor of participating in the two-day program, where he challenged us to rethink how we build connections in our daily lives. His ideas had a big impact on me and my peers. Especially his message that community is built through intentional invitations and genuine care for one another’s welfare. During the program, I found myself engaging in conversations with people I hadn’t previously spoken with, and I learned how simple it can be to begin building meaningful relationships. The energy in both the Legions' Alumni Lounge and Eppley Auditorium was strong; everyone was engaged, attentive, and genuinely present. The discussions after his talk were overwhelmingly positive, and many of us walked away thinking about how small acts like a personal invitation, a shared story, or listening deeply can create real belonging. Many students said it made them want to be more purposeful in connecting with people they might not otherwise approach. For me, it wasn’t just a lecture; it was an invitation to practice what he talked about and to be more intentional and open in forming community within our school. 

--Eva Corella, CGA ‘26

I'm incredibly grateful to have been selected alongside Steven Gray to meet and interview our keynote speaker, Charles Vogl, this year. His focus was on community and how to build proper ones, drawing from his book "The Art of Community" and other works. I'm involved in the Culver community in a multitude of ways from serving as a Chair on CGA Council to leadership within clubs on campus. Charles Vogl's insight on things that distinguish a community from a simple group of people helped me to reflect on the experiences that I had shared with those I'd worked with, and helped me to realize how important intentionality is when you are creating an experience for others. He held a "Campfire Experience" workshop for select student leaders, which I had the privilege of attending, where I had a great time making new connections and having deep conversations over candlelit dinner and dessert. The idea behind these experiences are allowing people to have intimate, uninterrupted time with dim light focused in the center of the table, allowing for connections to form naturally. It draws on our ancestors, who came together for generations around campfires and such light sources to build community somewhere away from screens, distractions and work. I had a wonderful time both getting to know Charles Vogl as well as helping facilitate his visit with thoughtful questions and detailed introductions. Thank you so much!

I hope this is a sufficient blurb for the class leaders! I had a wonderful experience with this keynote speaker experience, and the work that all of the alumni do. 

--Katie Gao, CGA ‘26

As one of the students who had the honor of participating in both the dinner and lunch sessions with Charles Vogl, I left the experience with an overwhelming sense of inspiration and hope. Vogl composed a thoughtful program that genuinely made participants feel seen and heard. His recognition of the “loneliness epidemic” as a serious issue, and his focus on developing leaders with the values and practices necessary to bridge social gaps, made it clear that the emphasis is not only on strengthening Culver as it is now, but on preparing leaders who will inspire and build meaningful communities wherever they go.

Equally meaningful was the evident care and preparation invested by our faculty. There was clearly lots of time and effort dedicated to this event, displaying a deep commitment to addressing a very real challenge facing our generation. Vogl’s emphasis on building intentional interpersonal relationships was not only effective but engaging and deeply fulfilling.

I am extraordinarily thankful.

--Ainsley Ritchie, CMA ‘26

It was probably one of the coolest experiences I have ever been a part of in my life Genuinely, and the campfire experiences were an experiance like no other.  I know for sure in my Opinion this is the best speaker Culver has ever brought in. I think that Mr. Vogel did a great job teaching students about the value of conversation and intimacy when speaking to someone but also showing us how to do that and the value that it adds to a relationship. Especially as Culver students yearn for the conversations that are deep because often we find ourselves making small on the way to classes or in the dining so to me this creates a large sense of value. I know that I will be using the skills and he taught us and this to me is true education. 

—Ford Siegfried, CMA ‘27

Faculty Feedback

Charles Vogl’s recent visit struck a chord with many—students and adults alike—on our campus. He challenged us, whether at Culver or elsewhere, to go beyond mirage communities to developing communities focused on values-oriented relationships rather than lists. His passion for community-building engendered enthusiasm particularly among select student leaders who engaged in a “campfire experience” and workshop with him. Mr. Vogl’s visit stands as an excellent enrichment experience that complemented and reinforced messages about community [that] students receive day-to-day while providing them with new language and tools to take with them as they continue building communities when they leave Culver.

--Emily Uebler, Ph.D.
Humanities Instructor, Dean of Professional Development, Coordinator of the Charles Vogl Symposium

I am [part] of a team of over 25 faculty and staff who volunteered this year to support programs around the theme of Joy, which has brought much of it to our community.  Charles Vogl’s recent visit helped us find joy in building our community. Intentional social learning is something that our students, who live in a tech saturated world of distraction, crave and come to Culver to experience.  Vogl’s practical lessons to our students in an All-School Meeting and his guided practice through workshops helped all of us develop tools to build more meaningful relationships and to get better at something that has always been a hallmark of Culver graduates—team work. 

We all really appreciate the support of the Class of ’62 in bringing this and so many other extraordinary experiences.

It makes me feel very grateful to be a teacher at Culver.

--John D. Buggeln, Ph.D.
Instructor, Humanities Department

Attending Charles Vogl’s workshop was deeply impactful for both me and my student leaders. The experience helped us form new, meaningful connections and understand what truly fosters community. I walked away with three powerful insights: sadness becomes lighter when shared; people want permission to speak openly—so go first and model vulnerability; and ambience matters—intentional spaces invite deeper conversation. I was also struck by the reminder to spend two hours a week with an elder, or someone you look up to, and how transformative that simple practice can be. My students and I gained so much from the workshop, and I’m grateful for the lasting tools it gave us to strengthen our community.

--Elizabeth Birsner
CGA Counselor, Atrium Dorm, Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach