Central College Announces Geisler-Penquite Scholarship Recipients
Pella, IA (10/12/2026) — 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 Geisler Penquite and Loren Penquite in honor of their parents, John Edward Geisler and Gertrude Setzer Geisler. Recipients of the scholarship exhibit potential for leadership in education and have had academic success and exceptional progress in Central's education program.
Each student will receive $5,000 for each remaining year of their undergraduate academic career. They join the 16 students selected in 2025 from the Class of 2027.
This year's Geisler-Penquite Scholars represent 14 education majors in the Class of 2028 and one from the Class of 2027 - Haydn Little from Grimes, Iowa.
This year's Geisler-Penquite Scholars from the Class of 2028 include:
- Emily Blom from Pella, Iowa
- Rachel Bowers from Orion, Illinois
- Paige Davis from New Boston, Illinois
- Meleah Fesler from Riverside, Iowa
- Gabriel Gates from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Jacob Gudith from Marshalltown, Iowa
- Emma Klosterman from Aurora, Illinois
- Peyton Madison from Eldridge, Iowa
- Andrew Mahaffey from Guthrie Center, Iowa
- Grace Osthus from Urbandale, Iowa
- Faith Roozeboom from Knoxville, Iowa
- Madilyn Rowson from Knoxville, Iowa
- Taryn Ryan from Mackinaw, Illinois
- Brianna VanGroll from Colesburg, Iowa
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.
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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.