Recent News

Shelley Bradfield poses questions to students in Social Justice in the City course.

Central College Students Learn Firsthand About Social Justice in the City

This summer Central College is offering a Social Justice in the City course, which introduces students to social justice issues. During June and July, participants attend class and serve with local nonprofits in Des Moines, Iowa, that are addressing so...

Jul 20, 2023, 10:56am EDT

The new Central board of trustees joining in 2023 are: front row, from left: Shannan Mattiace ’90, Kara Kohler Hoogensen ’96, Lori Fegley ’80 and Kelly Vielmo ’99. Backrow, from left, Dave Smith and Marc Poortinga ’98.

Central College Welcomes Six New Board Members

Central College announced changes to its Board of Trustees with the addition of six new members and the retirement of three individuals. Joining the Central board are Lori Fegley, Kara Kohler Hoogensen, Shannan Mattiace, Marc Poortinga, Dave Smith and...

Jul 19, 2023, 11:20am EDT

Central College Honors Retiring Administrators

Central College celebrates the careers of two longstanding administrators who retired after the 2022-23 academic year - Carol Williamson and Marguerite "Peggy" Fitch. Carol Williamson retired from the role of vice president for student development and...

Jul 17, 2023, 10:33am EDT

Katherine Stroh, Central College Class of 2024, landed a science internship for the summer at the Ames Laboratory with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Central Engineering Student Chosen for Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship

Katherine Stroh, Central College Class of 2024 from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was selected for a U.S. Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship. Stroh, an engineering major at Central, will work at the Ames National Laboratory in Ames, I...

Jun 26, 2023, 12:46pm EDT

Summer Sterrenberg, Class of 2024, will conduct research at the University of California Irvine this summer.

Central Chemistry Student Secures Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Central College's Summer Sterrenberg, Class of 2024, has been awarded one of the highly competitive Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships through the National Science Foundation. Sterrenberg from Lake Mills, Iowa, will spend nine weeks this summer ...

Jun 22, 2023, 10:24am EDT

Central announces the incoming Class of 2027 scholars who received full-tuition scholarships.

Central College Announces 2023 Top Scholarship Awardees

Central College is proud to announce this year's recipients of full-tuition Kuyper Scholarships, Pella Corporation Engineering Scholarship, Rolscreen Foundation Scholarships and the Thomas Ross Smith Scholarship - the most prestigious awards granted at...

Jun 21, 2023, 11:32am EDT

Our ecosystem and crop production depends on bees. Central College students presented research at the Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting about bee research at Central College.

Central College Represented at Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting

Central College students presented at the Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting in April on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The presentation, "Using DNA Barcoding to Study the Bee Diversity in Big Rock Park," focuses on identifying the diversi...

Jun 15, 2023, 2:17pm EDT

Quintin Hull, Class of 2026, performed during a recital on campus.

A Passion for Music Pays It Forward through Scholarships

Scholarships make a difference for students who attend Central College. The college offers scholarships for majors, research, off-campus study and music ensembles, to name a few. For Quintin Hull, Class of 2026, from Ottumwa, Iowa, the T. Kent Jager E...

Jun 12, 2023, 3:15pm EDT

The cover image for Central’s Associate Professor of Philosophy Mark Thomas’ book is an excerpt from the book handwritten by Thomas.

Central College Professor of Philosophy Publishes Book

Mark Thomas, associate professor of philosophy at Central College, published a book, "Freedom and Ground: A Study of Schelling's Treatise on Freedom," with SUNY Press. The book is a new interpretation of German philosopher F.W.J. Schelling and his 180...

Jun 7, 2023, 9:19am EDT

Central students created 23 glass orbs for Big Rock Park. Shown from left: Zach Doster, Brian Roberts, professor of art, Grace Parrish and Gunner Hutton.

Big Rock Park Adds Colorful Exploration

Central College's glassblowing class and Brian Roberts, professor of art and Class of 1992 graduate, teamed up with the Friends of Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa, to create 23 glass orbs to place in the park this summer. George Clark, president of Big Roc...

Jun 6, 2023, 10:35am EDT

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.