Recent News

Central RED Hosts Speakers on Wildfires and Travel

Central College's Central RED Society will present "Flying for Wildfire Fighters" with Donald Todd and "Travels on Seven Continents" with Philip Larson on Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the Dave and Ardie Sutphen Common Room, in Graham Annex on Central's campus....

Aug 10, 2023, 10:00am EDT

Left photo: Emily Shields ’25; Center: Bailey Anderson ’25 and Nathan Kulhman ’24; Right: Seth Olsen ’25, Duncan Delzell ’25 and Jaxon Thompson ’24.

Central College Students Explore Passion for Research

Research opens so many doors of opportunity for curious students on Central College's campus. This summer 13 students received funding to conduct research on campus with faculty in biology, chemistry, genetics, kinesiology and musical theatre. Russ Be...

Aug 7, 2023, 4:23pm EDT

Central faculty traveled to Iceland (top left), Trinidad (top right), Greece (bottom left) and Chile (bottom right).

Central Faculty Explore New International Programs

Central College faculty completed international travel in May and June funded by a grant from the Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students Program. This grant is funded by the U.S. Department of State and supported in its implementatio...

Jul 27, 2023, 10:00am EDT

Aaron Roerdink ’97 was named the associate dean of learning enrichment and associate professor-in-residence of chemistry at Central.

Central College Appoints Associate Dean of Learning Enrichment

Aaron Roerdink, a 1997 Central graduate, has been named the inaugural associate dean of learning enrichment and associate professor-in-residence of chemistry at Central College. He will begin at Central in late-July. "Aaron brings exceptional skills t...

Jul 26, 2023, 1:25pm EDT

Central College students completed a mission trip to Kigoma, Tanzania.

Central College Campus Ministries Honors Donor

The joy of giving continues for the Braskamp family. In Spring 2022, seven siblings established an endowment at Central College to honor their parents - Allan and Grace Braskamp. That endowment is now spreading joy through community outreach and missio...

Jul 24, 2023, 3:23pm EDT

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

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.