Recent News

Central College President Mark Putnam installed Lori Witt, professor of history, as the 11th Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professor of the Liberal Arts.

Central College Installs Endowed Chair Lori Witt

Lori Witt, associate professor of history at Central College, was installed as the Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professor of the Liberal Arts on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Named after Central's 18th president who served from 1970-90, the three-year endowed ...

Sep 21, 2023, 9:38am EDT

Kid Captains for 2023, from left: Graham Beekhuizen, Liam Smith, Ellie Van Dyke, Finley Smothers, Sam Manning and Lucas Disselkoen.

Central's Kid Captains Recognized at Football Game

Central College welcomed six outstanding Pella area students from fourth to eighth grades for Kid Captain Day at the Central football game Saturday, Sept. 16. Kid Captains were nominated by their peers using a rubric of characteristics such as having ...

Sep 19, 2023, 2:19pm EDT

Central College to Launch Forever Dutch Lager

Central College released Forever Dutch Lager Friday, Sept. 15. Central is the first private college in Iowa to partner with a local brewery to offer a signature craft beer. With Forever Dutch lager, 15% of sales will go toward the Journey Scholarship ...

Sep 15, 2023, 4:56pm EDT

Jim Shriver, professor of chemistry and chair of the natural sciences department, discussed the strong research opportunities for STEM students with Miller-Meeks, center. Gracie Hoffman, biology and biochemistry major in the Class of 2025 and student ambassador, discussed her research and courses.

Central College Welcomed Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Central College faculty showed Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), some of the innovative research, STEM programs and athletics programs available to students. Miller-Meeks toured campus on Monday, Sept. 11, which included stops in the A.N...

Sep 13, 2023, 10:57am EDT

Central College welcomes alumni, family and friends to Homecoming 2023, Friday, Sept. 29, to Sunday, Oct. 1.

Celebrate Central College Homecoming 2023

Central College will celebrate Homecoming 2023 Friday, Sept. 29, to Sunday, Oct. 1, on campus with special anniversaries, family-focused events and traditions. The Central Dutch football team will take the field against the University of Dubuque at...

Sep 12, 2023, 3:27pm EDT

Students participating in the summer Upward Bound program explored STEM courses at Central. They discovered force and energy concepts by propelling water rockets.

Central College's Upward Bound Program Receives John Deere Foundation Grant

Central College received a grant for more than $43,000 from the John Deere Foundation to support the college's long-standing Upward Bound program. This program helps low-income, potential first-generation college students achieve academic success. The...

Sep 7, 2023, 10:46am EDT

Central RED to Tour Osky Bike Trail

Central College's RED Society will host "Let's Go Ride the Osky Bike Trail," at Lacy Sports Complex in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Thursday, Sept. 7. Participants can meet at the Lacy Sports Complex parking lot by the tram tour sign at 9:30 a.m. The cost of $16 ...

Sep 6, 2023, 4:49pm EDT

On the first days of classes, Central College welcomed students and raised more than $175,000 for Journey Scholarships.

Central College Donors Give $175,000 During 48-Hour Challenge

The Central College community launched into the new academic year with gifts totaling $175,470 during the 48-Hour Challenge to support the Journey Scholarship Fund. During this concentrated two days of giving, 356 donors contributed to the Journey Scho...

Aug 31, 2023, 1:29pm EDT

Central College is one of 16 Iowa private colleges and universities in a three-year grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and the Teagle Foundation.

Central College Selected for Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative Grant

Central College joins 16 other Iowa private colleges and universities to participate in a three-year grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and the Teagle Foundation awarded to the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. T...

Aug 28, 2023, 4:07pm EDT

The faculty joining Central are, front row, from left: Ann McDonald, Courtney Comstock, Sonja Lindberg and Katelin Valster. Back row, from left: Jim Fuller, Matthew Sutter, Michael Thompson, Adam Bradley and Erik Insko

Central College Announces New Faculty Appointments

Central College named new faculty for the 2023-24 school year: Adam Bradley, assistant professor of kinesiology, with a B.S. from Iowa State University; Ph.D. from North Dakota State University. Courtney Comstock, lecturer of accounting, a 2020 Centr...

Aug 21, 2023, 2:27pm 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.