Recent News

Front Row, left to right: Donovan Klish ’28, Bailey Acton ’27, Andrew Mahaffey ’28, Jay Kimbrough ’27. Second Row, left to right: Addison Brown ’28, Allie Severe ’30, Kennedy Peterson ’29, Esther Harker ’29, Jose Leyva-Gramajo ’27, Piper Eighmy ’27, Brady Birkenholtz ’27, Rachel Mendlik ’28, Trace Hopkins ’30. Third Row, left to right: Grant Fletcher ’27, Olivia Phillips ’29, Cashen Thompson ’27, Xander Roerdink ’29, Cor Huyser ’28, Conner Hansen ’28, Teagen Peiffer ’28, Emerson Holle ’29. Not shown: Fynn Eighmy

Central College Students Elect Governance Leaders

Central College Student Senate announces the executive officers for the 2026-27 academic year: Bailey Acton of Winterset, Iowa, continues her role as senate leader. She is a member of the Class of 2027, majoring in biology. Jay Kimbrough of Chicago...

Oct 20, 2026, 10:37am EDT

2025 Kid Captains and Central football team walk onto the field.

Central College to Host Kid Captains on Grandparent Day

Central College will welcome five Pella area students as Kid Captains at the Grandparent Day football game 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Each of these students were chosen by their peers for showcasing sportsmanship and having the characteristics of a goo...

Oct 19, 2026, 4:03pm EDT

From left to right, Keilah Brewer, Cassie Elliott and Angelina Hemphill, Class of 2026, present their research at the 2026 ICA Conference (not pictured: Macy Beermann Harper, Class of 2026).

Central Graduates Present Research at Iowa Communication Association Conference

Central College graduates from the Class of 2026 presented award-winning research at the annual Iowa Communication Association Conference at Divine Word College, located in Epworth, Iowa, in September. Macy Beermann Harper, Keilah Brewer, Cassie Ellio...

Oct 15, 2026, 10:12am EDT

The latest Geisler-Penquite Scholars, from left, front row: Gabriel Gates, Peyton Madison, Paige Davis, Faith Roozeboom, Emily Blom, Madilyn Rowson, Grace Osthus. Second row, from left: Jacob Gudith, Taryn Ryan, Rachel Bowers, Emma Klosterman, Haydn Little, Andrew Mahaffey, Brianna VanGroll. Not pictured: Meleah Fesler.

Central College Announces Geisler-Penquite Scholarship Recipients

Central College announced 15 education students have been awarded Geisler-Penquite Scholarships in 2026. The scholarship and Geisler-Penquite Foundation were established by Harold and Mavis Hobbs Geisler, named honorary alumna in 2000, and Cecil Geisl...

Oct 12, 2026, 10:25am EDT

Central College Mathematics Professor Delivers Two Publications

Russ Goodman, professor of mathematics, has produced two recent publications on the pedagogy of mathematics and data science. The mathematics and data science journal "Scatterplot" recently featured an article by Goodman about exit polling for the 202...

Oct 9, 2026, 11:44am EDT

Rob Lindley '95 Returns to Central College in "Working Actor" Career Conversations

Rob Lindley, actor and 1995 Central College graduate, is coming back to campus for a conversation and storytelling event. Entitled "Working Actor," the event will engage students and the public in strategizing a career in the arts. "Working Actor" wil...

Oct 6, 2026, 10:27am EDT

Middle School Bandfest and Honor Band Concert to be Held at Central College

The Central College Music Program is proud to host the Middle School Bandfest on campus, which will culminate in a concert with Central music students and Bandfest participants. The honor band concert will be held in Douwstra Auditorium inside Central...

Oct 5, 2026, 10:59am EDT

Three of the many pieces in the “Conversations” display at the Mills Gallery, from now to October 23.

Mills Gallery to Feature Works by Cedar River Artisans

Central College's Mills Gallery welcomes the works of the Cedar River Artisans, a consortium of seven artists from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The group's exhibit, titled "Conversations," is on display in Lubbers Center until Friday, Oct. 23. Members of the ...

Oct 1, 2026, 9:36am EDT

Central College Awarded $500,000 Annual Grant for Federal TRIO Talent Search Program

Central College has been awarded a $500,000 annual grant by the U.S. Department of Education, which will be used to continue operating Central's Federal TRIO Talent Search Program for another five years. The combined funds will equal $2.5 million. Cen...

Sep 29, 2026, 12:04pm EDT

Central adds Forever Dutch® Red and White wines to their product list that supports scholarships.

Central College to Debut Forever Dutch Wines at Homecoming

Central College, in collaboration with Tassel Ridge Winery, announces the release of two wines: Forever Dutch Red and Forever Dutch White. The wines will be available for purchase during future Central events where alcohol is being served. Wine enthus...

Sep 28, 2026, 10:46am EDT

About Central College

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Ranked the No. 2 Best Value College in Iowa by Niche.com, Central offers a learning environment with supportive educators committed 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. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.