Recent News

Bettina Judd, associate professor of gender, women and sexuality studies at the University of Washington

MLK Day at Central College Immersed in Service and Justice

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Central College will feature artist and writer Bettina Judd, plus 15 concurrent academic sessions and five service projects, creating a day focused solely on a shared vision for justice by students and the community. "We ...

Jan 13, 2023, 9:55am EST

Pella Wellness Consortium to Present Lyndsey Fennelly

The Pella Wellness Consortium is pleased to welcome Lyndsey Fennelly, a motivational speaker, former standout Iowa State University basketball player and successful businesswoman, to a conversation about her mental health journey at 7 p.m. on Sunday, J...

Jan 5, 2023, 12:54pm EST

Central RED to Participate in Calvin University's January Series Presentations

Central College's Central RED Society invites its members to three presentations of "The January Series," a collection of speakers at Calvin University in Michigan that is designed to provoke "deep thought and conversations about important issues of th...

Jan 5, 2023, 12:36pm EST

Joseph Vande Kieft, a 1999 Central graduate, has been hired as the new chief information officer for Central.

Joe Vande Kieft Named Central College's CIO

Central College is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Vande Kieft, a 1999 Central graduate, as the new chief information officer. He will oversee the Information Technology Services department in strategic planning and enhancing the college'...

Jan 3, 2023, 9:43am EST

Top stories of 2022 demonstrate Central’s successes during a changing marketplace.

Review of Central's Top Stories in 2022

Central College had a news-filled 2022 with new programs, successful fundraising, accreditations and awards. Here's a look back at a few of the news stories that made the greatest impact. For all the news of 2022, you can view online at https://news.ce...

Dec 27, 2022, 10:41am EST

Harold Kolenbrander and July Grooters, Central Class of 1960, established an endowed scholarship for students with financial need.

Central College Emeriti Trustees Establish Endowment

Two Class of 1960 Central College graduates have established an endowed scholarship in their names. The Harold Kolenbrander and Judy Grooters Scholarship is open to students who have significant financial need and who have both the desire and the capac...

Dec 15, 2022, 11:00am EST

Central faculty members Paulina Mena and Russ Benedict created two videos for PEERS. Area teachers can use the PEERS modules developed at Central to teach conservation, biology and science to students in second to 12th grades.

Central Faculty Create Learning Videos for PEERS Program

Central College faculty members created two educational videos for area schools as part of PEERS, a career awareness program made available through WorkSMART Connector. Videos include "Bats" by Russell Benedict, professor of biology, and "Bees" by Paul...

Dec 12, 2022, 12:29pm EST

Central College's Kate Nesbit Writes Chapter in Book

Kate Nesbit, Central College assistant professor of English, co-authored a chapter in the newly released book, "Writing the Classroom: Pedagogical Documents as Rhetorical Genres." "Writing the Classroom" explores how faculty compose and use pedagogica...

Dec 8, 2022, 9:42am EST

Giving Tuesday Generates 6-Figures for Central College

The Central College family raised more than six-figures through Giving Tuesday donations on Nov. 29. Giving Tuesday, a special day of giving to nonprofits across the globe, generated $126,437 for Central scholarships and programs, exceeding last year's...

Dec 5, 2022, 11:30am EST

Grace Teig will exhibit her Senior Art Exhibition, “Diagnosed: Disturbed” through Thursday, Dec. 15.

Senior Art Exhibit to Feature Grace Teig

Central College senior, Grace Teig, Class of 2023, from Story City, Iowa, will present her work during the Senior Art Major Exhibition through Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Mills Gallery in the Lubbers Center for Visual Arts on Central's campus. The Mills ...

Dec 2, 2022, 3:51pm EST

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.