Recent News

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

Rosalie DeWall Park, a 1960 Central graduate

Legacy Gift Supports Central College's Future

A gift given quietly - but with deep love and grace - arrived at Central College in memory of a life-changing education. Rosalie DeWall Park, a 1960 Central graduate, designated a portion of her estate to Central, continuing a legacy of generosity root...

Jan 26, 2026, 4:25pm EST

Jaime Schultz, professor of kinesiology at Penn State, will be the keynote speaker at Central's MLK Day program.

Central College Honors MLK with Special Day of Learning

Central College will observe its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration with a public session featuring keynote speaker Jaime Schultz, professor of kinesiology at Penn State. Her visit is made possible through a grant from the Moore Family Fou...

Jan 7, 2026, 10:09am EST

Central College shared its top stories of 2025.

Central College Staff Service Awards Announced

Central College recognized service award winners and employees who reached a milestone anniversary during 2025 at the annual Staff Service Awards celebration. Central President Mark Putnam and Jill Anderson, chief talent equity and engagement officer,...

Dec 17, 2025, 11:05am EST

Three Central students were recognized during their honors thesis presentations. From left: Luci Laidlaw ’26, William Flug ’26 and Tessa Bly ’26.

Central College Seniors Present Honors Projects

Central College honors program students recently presented capstone projects completed during the Fall 2025 semester. Valerie Billing, associate professor of English and faculty director of Central's honors program, welcomed faculty and students to th...

Dec 11, 2025, 10:29am EST

Central friends and family raised more than $101,000 for Central students on Giving Tuesday.

Central Family Exceeds Giving Tuesday Goal Again

The Central College community showed remarkable generosity on Giving Tuesday, surpassing its fundraising goal and raising $101,085. These gifts directly support the Journey Scholarship Fund and student programs, doing a world of good for Central studen...

Dec 9, 2025, 4:42pm EST

Central Professor Coauthors Article About AI in Higher Ed

Central College's Stavros Papakonstantinidis, associate professor of communication studies, published a new study examining how faculty perceive the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education. The research analyzes how factors such as t...

Dec 8, 2025, 5:09pm EST

High marks to Central's economics, accounting and management team. Isabella Schlerman, Class of 2026, Mickey Martens, Class of 2027; Ann McDonald, lecturer of business management; John Juszczyk, Class of 2027; and Scott Johnson, Class of 2026

Central Students Compete in Inaugural National Impact Case Competition

Central College students competed in the inaugural Tippie National Impact Case Competition, placing fifth overall. The team had two weeks to analyze a case provided by the host and prepare recommendations, which they presented during the two-day compet...

Dec 1, 2025, 12:06pm EST

Central received recognition for five Best of District VI awards from CASE.

Central College Wins Five Best of District VI CASE Awards

Central College received five Best of District VI awards from the Midwest Division of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. All entries were created in 2024. The alumni magazine, Civitas, won in the alumni/general interest magazines ca...

Nov 20, 2025, 9:21am 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.