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Central College

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Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Our students learn collaboratively with supportive educators who share a commitment to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.

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Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Our students learn collaboratively with supportive educators who share a commitment to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.

student Stories

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student Profiles

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Newsroom

News and announcements from Central College

Students Inducted Into Central NSLS Chapter

Central College's chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success inducted 42 students this spring.
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Leadership - May 7

Central Students Participate in Internships

Central College students are participating in internships, gaining valuable real-world experiences during the Spring 2025 semester.
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Internship - Apr 23

Service-Learning Project

A pillar of a Central College education is community service and civic engagement. In Spring 2025, 44 Central students are participating in a service-learning opportunity to build civic engagement.
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Community Service - Apr 9

Excellence in theatre production

Central College's Visual and Performing Arts Department will perform "Bonnie and Clyde" at 7 p.m. April 9-12. The musical, based on the Tony-nominated production with music from the legendary Frank Wildhorn, features thrilling adventure and a non-traditional score combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music.
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Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - Apr 3

Spring 2025 Study Abroad

Central College students expand their knowledge and cultural experience through off-campus learning.
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Study Abroad - Apr 2

Central College Students Named to Dean's List

Central College recognized 411 students named to the Fall 2024 dean's list. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.
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Dean's List - 2024 Dec 20

Scholar Day Participant

Central College welcomed 156 students to its Fall Scholar Days where prospective students compete for scholarships.
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Scholarship - 2024 Nov 21

Central College Spring Scholar Day

Central College welcomed more than 200 students from across the nation to compete for scholarships during the spring Scholar Days in January and February.
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Student Competition - Feb 10

Central Students receive Alpha Zeta Mu Honors

Central College recognized students who earned Alpha Zeta Mu honors.
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Student Excellence - 2024 Jun 5

Commencement Recognition Class of 2024

Central College recognized 232 graduates during Commencement 2024 on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium on the Central campus.
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Graduation - 2024 May 22

Central College Students Named to Dean's List for Spring 2024

Congratulations to the more than 390 students named to the Central College dean's list for Spring 2024. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.500 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.
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Academic Award - 2024 May 22

Central College Students Travel to Midwestern Psychological Association

Central College students in the psychology program attended the annual Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago, Illinois, April 17-20. Students
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Academic competition - 2024 Apr 26

Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Participant

Central College hosted the Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry event to showcase the many projects by Central students during the 2023-2024 academic year.
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Research / Grant - 2024 Apr 30

Iowa County Conservation Board Convention Participant

Central College students in the environmental and sustainability program attended the annual Iowa County Conservation Convention, accompanied by Anya Butt, professor of biology.
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Experiential Learning - 2024 Feb 12

Selected for EAM Chicago Trip

EAM Club members traveled to Chicago to explore a potential career in a major metropolitan area and network with Central College alumni there.
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Club or Organization - 2023 Nov 8

2023-24 Central College Student Senate

Central College introduces the 2023-24 Student Senators and Executive Officers.
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Student Government - 2023 Oct 12

Central College Students Take EAM Trip to Chicago

11 Central College students participated in an Economics, Accounting and Business Management (EAM) trip Nov. 3-- 5 to Chicago.
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Business/professional - 2022 Nov 14

Fall 2022 Internship

Central students build real-world experiences at internships during the Fall 2022 semester.
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Who's Who - 2022 Sep 28

Central College Announces Political Science Honors Society Inductees

Central College recognizes eight students who were inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.
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Honor Society - 2022 Apr 5

Elizabeth Hurlbut '23 Interns with Quad City Steamwheelers

Liz Hurlbut '23 had an athletic training internship with the Quad City Steamwheelers.
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Achievement (Other) - 2022 Sep 19

Central College Seniors Complete Honors Thesis Presentations

Two Central College students gave their Senior Honors Thesis presentations Wednesday, Dec. 1.
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Honors Program - 2021 Dec 14

Good Luck on Finals!

It's finals week! We would like to wish you the best of luck on your finals and congratulate you on making it through this semester.
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School Spirit - 2021 Dec 13

Central College Quarterback Blaine Hawkins Featured on WHO 13

Blaine Hawkins, quarterback for the Central College football team, was featured on WHO 13 for his accomplishments on the field.
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Sports - 2021 Nov 12
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