50 Stories for 50 Years: John Buxton, Former Head of School, The Culver Academies

September 14, 2022

To celebrate our 50th anniversary year during 2018/19, we collected stories and profiles of people and institutions that have helped us build our organization, which first began as one person’s dream in 1968. We will feature one story per week on our blog. Please enjoy these “50 for 50” profiles featuring ASSIST’s dedicated board members, dynamic staff, welcoming host families and enthusiastic ASSIST Scholars.

John Buxton
Former Head of School, The Culver Academies

I met Sandy Sanderson when I was a young admissions director at St. Paul’s. Listening to him explain his dream of building an organization that might make world politics more rational and relation-ship based convinced me. I wanted to support his vision. Sandy’s big picture, win-win approach was both innocent and compelling, unencumbered by all the objections and warnings that could have derailed such a plan in the midst of all the financial challenges private schools faced in the 1970’s. Sandy was the perfect architect and marketer for this exciting new concept he called ASSIST.

I was equally inspired by Ken and Betsy Lindfors, a couple who had spent their entire careers (and maybe their lives) preparing to accept responsibility for and then nurture this still-nascent program. They embodied the teamwork that would be necessary to carry ASSIST forward. Their leadership of a still-developing board of directors and an organization kept ASSIST on its feet, even when stunned by the loss of its founder. Ken and Betsy used a teamwork approach built on a foundation of respect, persistence, and commitment. They led with their hearts and breathed soul into this quickly-developing organization.

By the time the Lindfors were ready to hand the reins over for ASSIST’s next chapters to be written, ASSIST was leading from strength. Its culture had been clearly established by the examples of its leaders in its first three decades. The principles behind the mission: Lead with vision and heart. Build leadership teams that can achieve tangible results. Take care of and respect the students and administrators you represent. The board had only to meet the Stanleys to realize they were the perfect team to lead and serve ASSIST into the next century.

I had a front row seat to watch all three of these leaders take the baton and lead ASSIST through its remarkable journey.

About John:
John graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in English in 1969. He started teaching at St. Paul’s School that fall. He taught, coached, and served in the administration at St. Paul’s for the next 30 years, and during that time he served as the Director of Independent Study, Director of College Advising, Director of Admissions, and Vice Rector for Administration. John spent a sabbatical year at Boston University pursuing an advanced degree in a PhD program before heading to The Culver Academies in Indiana as Head of Schools. He spent 17 years at The Culver Academies before retiring. During his career, John also chaired the ASSIST Board of Directors, the ISACS Board, the AMCSUS Board, and the Leadership Marshall County Board, and he served on a number of other boards of community and educational organizations.