• Skip to Content

Central College

  • Sign in to your Merit page
Hyperlink to Central College’s website

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.

(see more)

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.

student Stories

See and share stories about what Central College students are achieving

student Profiles

Discover and explore profiles of Central College students

Newsroom

News and announcements from Central College

Students Join Central's Symphonic Wind Ensemble

22 students are members of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Central College for the 2020-21 academic year. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is an auditioned instrumental group and one of the premier ensembles on campus.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Sep 24

Central Students Completing Fall Internships

10 Central College students are completing internships this fall for academic credit.
Central College’s logo
Internship - 2020 Sep 23
Drama or Musical Achievement achievement badge.

Students Join Central's A Cappella Choir

63 students are members of the A Cappella Choir at Central College for the 2020-21 academic year. The A Cappella Choir started at Central in 1932 and is the oldest continuing music ensemble on campus.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Sep 21
Representation of the achievement named 'Students Back on Campus at Central College'.

Students Back on Campus at Central College

Welcome back to Central College! Last semester didn't end the way any of us planned, but we are thrilled to have you back on campus for the Fall 2020 semester. We are all proud to be Forever Dutch!
Central College’s logo
Enrollment - 2020 Sep 11
Representation of the achievement named 'Central College Welcomes New Students'.

Central College Welcomes New Students

Welcome to Central College! You are now Forever Dutch! Central is pleased to welcome the newest members of our community, including first-year and transfer students, for the Fall 2020 semester.
Central College’s logo
Enrollment - 2020 Sep 11

Central Freshmen Earn College's Top Scholarships

Central College is proud to announce this year's recipients of full-tuition Kuyper Scholarships and Rolscreen Foundation Scholarships, the most prestigious awards granted at the college. Peter H. Kuyper founded Rolscreen Company, known today as Pella Corporation. Students selected participated in Central's Scholar Days. All have at least a 3.78 GPA and 27 ACT score.
Central College’s logo
Scholarship - 2020 Sep 11

Central Students Present Summer Research

13 Central College students participated in the 2020 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium on Sept. 8, 2020, on campus in Graham Conference Center.
Central College’s logo
Research / Grant - 2020 Sep 8
Representation of the achievement named 'Central Student Lindsey Blommers Receives $5,000 Scholarship'.

Central Student Lindsey Blommers Receives $5,000 Scholarship

Lindsey Blommers, a junior at Central College, received a $5,000 scholarship from Community State Bank. She was presented the award In August on campus at the women's leadership conference. The one-time scholarship was created to support a female student interested in finance, business management or accounting.
Central College’s logo
Scholarship - 2020 Sep 11
Achievement achievement badge.

Central Students Participate in Women's Leadership Conference

10 Central College students are partcipating in a women's leadership conference on campus this week. It is the second year for the conference, designed to provide opportunities for Central seniors nominated by faculty and staff members. The event allows them to meet with experts in their fields whose character sets an example for women scholars and future leaders.
Central College’s logo
Leadership - 2020 Aug 19
Representation of the achievement named 'Central Students' Work Featured in Writing Anthology'.

Central Students' Work Featured in Writing Anthology

22 Central College students had their work published in the college's annual Writing Anthology, a collection of exceptional student work from across the liberal arts curriculum. This was the 40th year for the Writing Anthology, which has been continuously published at Central since 1981. It can be viewed here: central.edu/writing-anthology.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Jul 23
Achievement achievement badge.

Central Student Accepted into SHPEP Program

Central College student Deryck Cleppe, Class of 2022 and a biochemistry major from Chelsea, Iowa, was accepted into the Summer Health Professions Education Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. SHPEP is a free summer program at academic institutions across the country with the "goal to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools."
Central College’s logo
Work Experience - 2020 Jul 14
Representation of the achievement named 'Central College Students Named to Dean's List for Spring 2020'.

Central College Students Named to Dean's List for Spring 2020

More than 325 students were named to the Central College dean's list for Spring 2020. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.
Central College’s logo
Academic Award - 2020 Jul 1

Central Students Completing Summer Internships

10 Central College students are completing internships this summer for academic credit.
Central College’s logo
Internship - 2020 Jul 10

Students Inducted Into Central NSLS Chapter

46 Central College students were inducted into the college's chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success.
Central College’s logo
Leadership - 2020 Jun 5
Graduation achievement badge.

Central Recognizes December Graduates

36 Central College students graduated with bachelor's degrees in December 2019.
Central College’s logo
Graduation - 2020 May 29
Student Government achievement badge.

Central Names Student Senate Executive Officers

Central College has announced the names of those elected as Student Senate executive officers for the 2020-21 academic year.
Central College’s logo
Student Government - 2020 May 28
Graduation achievement badge.

Seniors Graduate From Central College

207 Central College students graduated with bachelor's degrees in May 2020.
Central College’s logo
Graduation - 2020 May 26

Central Seniors Complete Honors Thesis Presentations

Seven Central College students gave their Senior Honors Thesis presentations on May 9. They did so via Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central College’s logo
Academic Award - 2020 May 8

Central Students Honored With Leadership Awards

Central College Student Development recognizes outstanding leadership at the college each year and has named its 2019-20 award winners.
Central College’s logo
Leadership - 2020 May 8
Scholarship achievement badge.

Central Students Named Geisler Penquite Scholars

Central College's Education Department and the Geisler Penquite Educational Excellence committee has announced the 2020 Geisler Penquite Scholars. This award brings with it the expectation of leadership in the classroom and in general and notes the potential for leadership in the students' future career in education.
Central College’s logo
Scholarship - 2020 May 8
Scholarship achievement badge.

Scholarship Celebration Honors Central Students

Central's annual Scholarship Celebration was scheduled for Thursday, April 23, but was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The event gives student scholarship recipients the opportunity to personally thank and share dinner with donors who help make their Central education possible. More than 700 students would have been recognized this year in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
Central College’s logo
Scholarship - 2020 Apr 23
Representation of the achievement named 'Central Students in Angling Course Help Provide Habitat for Fish'.

Central Students in Angling Course Help Provide Habitat for Fish

21 Central College students in Introduction to Angling, an exercise science course, helped place 175 trees attached to cinder blocks on the ice at Roberts Creek. When the ice melts, the structure will provide sustainable habitat for fish in Lake Red Rock. The project was done in cooperation with the Marion County Parks officers. It was part of the global sustainability portion of the course, which introduces the basic skills, theory and equipment necessary to begin the development of lifelong angling skills.
Central College’s logo
Community Service - 2020 Feb 25

Central College Students Perform in Jazzmania

7 Central College students performed Feb. 14 in the annual Jazzmania concert in the Recital Hall of Cox-Snow Music Center.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Feb 24

Central College Students Perform in Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert

26 Central College students performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble during its concert Feb. 23 on the Hoekstra Family Stage in Douwstra Auditorium.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Feb 24
Drama or Musical Achievement achievement badge.

Central College Students Perform in February ALMA Concert

9 Central College students performed in the ALMA Concert on Feb. 21 in the Recital Hall of Cox-Snow Music Center.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Feb 24
Representation of the achievement named 'Central College Students Take Computer Science Trip to Des Moines'.

Central College Students Take Computer Science Trip to Des Moines

Eight Central College students participated in a Computer Science trip Feb. 20 to Des Moines. The students visited Conga, Rocket Referrals and Principal Financial for tours and to visit with Central alumni.
Central College’s logo
Business/professional - 2020 Feb 24
Representation of the achievement named 'Central College Students to Participate In Production of 'Cabaret''.

Central College Students to Participate In Production of 'Cabaret'

21 Central College students will participate in the production of Kander and Ebb's iconic musical "Cabaret." It runs March 4-8 in Kruidenier Theatre.
Central College’s logo
Drama, Artistic, or Musical Achievement - 2020 Feb 24

Central Students Participate in Internships for Spring Semester

33 Central College students are participating in an internship during the Spring 2020 semester.
Central College’s logo
Internship - 2020 Feb 18

Internship Leads to Job for Central College Student Lexie Patton

Lexie Patton, a former student at Central College, completed a summer and fall internship with Grinnell Mutual that led to a full-time position upon graduation. Patton started in December as a personal lines claims adjustor at Grinnell Mutual in Grinnell, Iowa. Patton graduated in December 2019 with majors in business management and accounting.
Central College’s logo
Internship - 2020 Jan 27
Representation of the achievement named 'Central College Students Study Abroad in Mexico Over Winter Break'.

Central College Students Study Abroad in Mexico Over Winter Break

10 Central College students participated in Language and Culture in the Yucatan Peninsula in Merida, Mexico, from Jan. 2-13. The one-credit study abroad course is open to all Spanish language levels and immerses students culturally and linguistically in classes and homestays. The curriculum weaves topics such as immigration, health care, tourism, history and business practices into daily lessons. Students develop an appreciation for the history, culture and customs of the Yucatan.
Central College’s logo
Study Abroad - 2020 Feb 6
« First ‹ Prev … 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 … Next › Last »
Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out