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Cameron Van Kooten ’13

Meet Cameron Van Kooten ’13 from Schenectady, NY

Education: I graduated with a general studies major with concentrations in business, art, writing and a double major in theatre and nonprofit business management.

About me: I grew up in Pella (across the street from Central’s campus!) and graduated from Pella Christian High School in 2009. I’m the middle of 3 boys (Colin graduated Central in 2009 and Ethan in 2015), and my mom taught technical writing for many years and is now the college’s grant proposal writer. My dad works at Vermeer Corp. My nephew, Blaine, will be in Central College’s graduating class of 2036.

Employment/Future Aspirations: I’m currently working as the community coordinator of Room for All, a nonprofit that is working for the full welcome and affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons in the Reformed Church in America. Once we’ve become a fully inclusive church, I’d love to pursue further education and opportunities in higher education and use my nonprofit skills there. Educators like Dr. Peggy Fitch and Drs. David Roe and Mark Putnam have provided great examples of the kind of impact forward thinking educators can have on a community like Central College. I’d love to serve a community like Central in that same capacity one day.

What I’m Reading/Book I’d Recommend: A go-to favorite of mine is “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Mark Haddon. A close second is Haddon’s “A Spot of Bother.” Both are fascinatingly well-written and easy to read novels, and ones I love to pick up and re-read. Neither can be adequately described here, so you’ll have to look into them yourself!

Memorable Central College moments: I was the kid who was involved in a little bit of everything. Certainly, studying abroad in London was magnificent, but some of the most memorable moments of my 4 years were the connections, friendships and adventures that were found through my opportunities at Central. Theatre, choir, studying abroad, One Iowa, campus ministries, student involvement/SOS, classes to name a few. My liberal arts education provided an insane amount of people to meet and narrowing it down to a few “most memorable moments” would be impossible. I had an entire four years of incredible moments!

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