The Culbert family has long and deep ties to Columbia Basin College, specifically the vocational education departments. Walter “Buzz” Culbert created a welding program at the college in 1952. His son, Gary joined the welding department in 1964 as an instructor and they worked together until 1977 when Buzz retired. Gary went on to become the Dean for Vocational Education and retired in 1999 after 32 years with the college.
Gary served on the Board of Trustees at CBC after his retirement, and is currently on the CBC Foundation Board. Gary’s son Lance also graduated from the Welding program. The Culbert Family Scholarship Endowment benefits students in the Welding program, which is a fitting tribute to their familial dedication to CBC.