Recent News

Jay Wackerly, associate professor of chemistry and lead researcher, along with current students Piper Eighmy, Class of 2027, and Katie Morrison, Class of 2026, published research on cambiarenes molecules, leading to innovations in supramolecular applications.

Student Researchers Open Opportunities for Supramolecular Applications

Research conducted by Central College faculty, students and alumni was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal, Supramolecular Chemistry. The article, "A Practical Synthesis of Cambiarenes with Mechanistic Insights," was written by Jay Wackerly...

Mar 18, 2026, 2:23pm EDT

Front Row with Harry Smith will feature (top row) violinist Alina Ming Kobialka, pianist Eric Huebner and cellist Ru-Pei Yeh. Front row, violist Rebecca Young and Harry Smith ’73.

A Night to Remember: Members of the New York Philharmonic to perform Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and more

Chamber music performed by members of the New York Philharmonic will include Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and more. Front Row with Harry Smith, a Pella Corporation and Central College speaker series, welcomes a piano quartet comprised of members of the N...

Mar 9, 2026, 1:42pm EDT

Central Theatre to Produce Musical Comedy, First Date

Central College will showcase First Date, a romantic musical comedy about the horrors, humiliations and occasional happy surprises of blind dates. The musical tells the story of blind date newbie Aaron as he meets serial dater Casey, and their first da...

Feb 23, 2026, 1:08pm EST

Tuan Ho Quoc, assistant professor of economics, Central College

Central Professor Publishes Business Cycles and Taxes Article

Central College's Tuan Ho Quoc, assistant professor of economics, recently co-authored an article featured in Economic Inquiry. The paper, titled "The Business Cycle State-Dependent Effects of Tax News: A Joint-State Analysis," examines how the interac...

Feb 19, 2026, 2:39pm EST

Upward Bound welcomed 75 high school students to Central this past summer for the residential program. The 2026 program will run from June 10 to July 11.

Central College Upward Bound Program Celebrates 60 Years of Transforming Lives

Central College's TRIO Upward Bound program marks its 60th anniversary in 2026, making it one of the first programs in Iowa and the nation to receive this federal grant in 1966. Central's TRIO grant award also encompasses Talent Search and Student Sup...

Feb 18, 2026, 11:42am EST

Paulina A. Mena, professor of biology, will be installed as the Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities Tuesday, Feb. 17. She is the second Denekas endowed chair at Central.

Installation of Paulina Mena as the Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities

Central College will install Paulina A. Mena, professor of biology, as the new Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Upper Chapel. The ceremony and reception are open to the public. Mena will...

Feb 10, 2026, 11:42am EST

Central’s 1853 Challenge encourages participants to commit to completing 18 hours of service and/or tracking 53 miles over the 53 days leading up to Hoo-Rah Day, April 8, 2026.

1853 Challenge Gives Lift to Hoo-Rah Day Festivities

Central College will kick off its annual Hoo-Rah Day celebration with the launch of the 1853 Challenge, an energizing call to action that invites the Central community to let their gifts and service take flight in doing a world of good. The 1853 Chall...

Feb 9, 2026, 10:13am EST

Central Red will host six programs during the spring semester.

Central RED Launches Spring Semester Program Schedule

Central RED Society offers an impressive schedule of programs for this spring that are open to the public. Details about each event are available at central.edu/red. Local authors Marijka Michmershuizen and Carol Van Klompenberg will discuss their boo...

Feb 4, 2026, 5:43pm EST

While attending the American Historical Association meeting, Central College students gathered for a photo with the AHA president. From left: Steel Anderson ’28, Caelin Barbour ’26, Chris Little ’26, Ben Vinson III, AHA president, Josh Kuhlers ’28, Lauryn Venema ’26 and Lori Witt.

Central College Students Attend American Historical Association Meeting

Five Central College history students traveled to Chicago in January to attend the 139th annual meeting of the American Historical Association, the largest gathering of historians in the world. Students attending were Steel (Reese) Anderson, Class of ...

Feb 4, 2026, 9:45am EST

Mike Main, Class of 1987, Central trustee and cardiology specialist.

Leading with Heart: Central Alum to Headline Commencement

Central College Class of 2026 will get a heartfelt message during Commencement with Mike Main, M.D., cardiologist, Central trustee and 1987 graduate. Central's Commencement program will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadi...

Jan 27, 2026, 9:53am EST

About Central College

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.