Recent News

The latest Geisler-Penquite Scholars with the Class of 2027 are, from left, front row: Jillian Fairbanks, Abigail Miller, Samantha Pagel, Rylee Dunkin, Audrey Laman. Second row: Rylie Preston, Macy Berntsen, Kathryn West, Emma Murphy, Cheyne Plants, Lydia Fisher, Rachael Stoops. Third row: Gabriel Feldmann, Ajay Six, Vito Luchi. Missing: Anna Dennis.

Central College Announces Geisler-Penquite Scholars

Central College's education program has announced 16 education students will receive Geisler-Penquite Scholarships. The Geisler-Penquite Foundation honored students in the education program who display academic success, progress in the education progr...

Sep 11, 2025, 11:12am EDT

Central community shows strong rally to support student scholarships.

48-Hour Challenge Exceeds Previous Record

Central College's community of alumni, parents and friends rallied to set a new fundraising record during its annual 48-Hour Challenge, raising $181,723 to support the Journey Scholarship Fund. The final tally topped the previous record for the two-day...

Sep 9, 2025, 1:35pm EDT

Vases created at the John Vruwink Glassblowing Studio on display during 50th anniversary.

Classics and Innovative Art Exhibits at the Mills Gallery

Mills Gallery, Lubbers Center for the Visual Arts on Central College's campus, currently has an exhibit titled, "Works from the College Collection." Featured artists include Jolene De Jong, 1955 Central graduate, Gary Olson, 1968 Central graduate, and ...

Sep 8, 2025, 1:09pm EDT

Central Historian Examines Roma on the Habsburg Frontier

Central College's Timothy Olin, associate professor of history, published an article in Eighteenth-Century Studies. The article, titled "Roma on the Habsburg Frontier: 'Nomad Swarms' or 'New Farmers'?" examines the role of the Roma in the borderlands ...

Sep 4, 2025, 11:31am EDT

Time to celebrate, reconnect and relive favorite Central memories at Homecoming.

Central College Homecoming Set for Sept. 26-28

Central College will welcome alumni, family and friends to campus for Homecoming 2025, beginning Friday, Sept. 26. Homecoming weekend will feature beloved traditions and new events. Athletics events will be held throughout the weekend. The Dutch footb...

Sep 2, 2025, 1:01pm EDT

The Central SSS staff includes, from left, Denise Koolmees, tutor coordinator; Matt Diehl ’87, associate director; Nancy Kroese, director; and Mary Dunsmore Robertson ’91, project manager.

Central College Granted Student Support Services Funding

Central College was awarded a TRIO Student Support Services grant of $352,531 annually, totaling $1,762,655 over the five-year grant period. This grant funds programming to increase retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation col...

Aug 27, 2025, 1:19pm EDT

Harry Smith ’73 (right) will host Front Row with Scott Ransom, astronomer, (left)

Explore the Universe During Front Row with Scott Ransom and Harry Smith '73

Central College and Pella Corporation will welcome Scott Ransom, astronomer with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and research professor in the astronomy department at the University of Virginia, for a conversation with Harry Smith, a 1973 Cent...

Aug 25, 2025, 11:56am EDT

Central raises money for the Journey Scholarship Fund so every student receives a Journey Scholarship every year.

Alumni Couple Pledges Match for Journey 48-Hour Challenge

A passion for intellectual curiosity and the freedom to explore diverse interests at Central College laid the groundwork for the successful careers of Aaron Shileny, 1997 Central graduate and a career federal law clerk, and Lisa Vander Wilt Shileny, 19...

Aug 20, 2025, 10:33am EDT

Central College Alumni Award Winners Announced

Central College will present alumni awards to three graduates with service-driven careers and passion for doing a world of good. The recipients will be honored at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in the Graham Conference Center, during the Heritage Day Lun...

Aug 11, 2025, 12:22pm EDT

Life-long learning opportunities await this fall with Central RED Society.

Central RED Launches Fall Semester Program Schedule

Central RED Society offers an impressive schedule of programs for this fall that are open to the public. Details about each event are available at central.edu/red. The fall classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with Ella Paulson presenting "Life in the A...

Aug 7, 2025, 11:18am 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.