Since Central's founding in 1853, there have been many "favorite things" on campus. Favorite foods, traditions, people, buildings, activities and programs. In reality, there are too many to count. Here, in no particular order, is a selection of 53 of our favorite things about Central. We know we've left out a lot so if we've missed your favorite, drop us a note via social media or email.
#1
Sweet, gooey, slightly crunchy, they're a favorite at Central Market and campus events.
Officially named “The Quest” and “The Journey” the statues of a man reading and a woman carrying books were placed on the Peace Mall in honor of Harold and Mavis Geisler, champions of Central and major contributors to our efforts.
Gorgeous weather always brings out gennis players at Central. Watch where you hit, though—the pond is surprisingly chilly! Known elsewhere as “urban golf” or “campus golf,” gennis is played with golf clubs and tennis balls. Adam Jackson ’05 mapped Central’s original course in 2004—he and friends from West Nanes got hooked on the game.
Since 1965, students have packed their bags and headed off to study in the midst of another culture.
#4
#5
Derisively tagged Lubbers’ Lagoon by cynics skeptical of President Don Lubbers’ mid-1960s campus design scheme, the pond has become a Central icon.
The President’s First-Year Picnic is a tradition where new students meet and mingle with each other and Central’s president in a casual atmosphere.
#7Watch out, they bite.
#8Popular in the 1950s through the ‘80s and named for its creator, Dean Henry Pietenpol, this competition between freshmen and sophomore women required original musical numbers, complete with elaborate performances.
During students’ first weekend on campus, they’re invited to dinner with faculty, staff and alumni. In small groups, they learn firsthand what it means to belong to the Central family. Some hosts make students welcome in their homes, serving a meal with their families. Others stretch the limits of creativity, inviting students to picnic on the roof of the Roe Center, play mini-golf in the library stacks or dine in a grocery store after hours. It’s a special night that makes Central more like home — even before classes start. Students always come back saying, “That was so much fun!”
#10
Flying Pans Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Stan Dahl, is always up to something new, such as its Halloween concert “Zombie Steel.”
Singing "CUI" after a win is a recent, but cherished football tradition, started in 2004.
We’re committed to sustainability, and our campus features multiple LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified buildings, including a platinum LEED rating for the Roe Center in 2010.
#13
What’s better the night before finals than doughnuts at midnight, served by faculty and staff?
#14
In 1971, the BKE (Beta Kappa Epsilon) and Phi Delt fraternities hatched a plan to run a football from Pella to Oskaloosa for the game against William Penn. Led by students Thom Summitt ’74 and Scott “Scooter” Caldwell ’75, they painted a football red and white, and a group of 32 guys each ran a half mile. The Marion County Sheriff helped clear the road, and a police escort led them through Oskaloosa to the stadium, where they handed off the ball to quarterback Chris Nelson ’73, to the cheers of Central fans.
#15
The old acronym for Central University of Iowa Food Service (CUIFS) simply won’t die as a way to refer to Central Market.
#16
Our newest major is making quite a splash, with high interest among incoming students.
100 full-time faculty are the beating heart of Central. With scores of book and journal publications among them, they rank as leading experts in fields as diverse as prairie ecology, sports analytics and Shakespeare.
#18The old Graham Dining Hall is remembered for monthly steak nights on Wednesdays. While it may not have been filet mignon, the steak was considered quite a treat. But no second helpings on steak night!
#19
Open since 1974, George’s, a family-owned business, has long been feeding students and their families for pizza nights.
#20
Our top scholars bond through special seminars, and their work culminates in senior honors theses.
#21
Since 1916, we’ve enjoyed an important affiliation with the Reformed Church in America.
#22
The A Cappella Choir’s benediction at the end of a concert still gives us goose bumps.
#23
Central’s phone booth was a present from Dubuque insurance firm Cottingham & Butler. John Butler, now CEO, was impressed by Central’s international programs and presented the London icon as a gift. It’s a favorite for campus photos ever since
#24
The thrill of the game is matched by the fun of reuniting with friends and family at homecoming. It's a weekend full of food, games, football and special events.
#25
Serving others is a Central tradition, carried out through an annual Service Day, service-learning within classes and many more opportunities. Last year, Central students engaged in 71,850 community service hours.
#26
Meaningful research opportunities —and partnerships with professors —are available in every major at Central. Our most recent Bosch Undergraduate Summer Research Fellows investigated not only biology, chemistry and psychology topics (which always emphasize research), but also history, theatre, Greek and sustainability. Jim Shriver, associate dean for curriculum and faculty development, says Central’s breadth of research has increased dramatically in the last 15 years.
“We have people working all over the place," Shriver says.
"There's good diversity."
More students are participating than ever, too.
#27
Before Weller Center for Business and International Studies was built, the grassy space at the intersection of Independence and W. Third St. served as a prime spot for snowman building and snowball throwing.
#28
Dutch Letters are a treat that tastes like home to Central alumni.
#29
Recently expanded, the garden provides learning opportunities as well as produce to feed students!
Whether you're a student, graduate, faculty or staff member, community partner, parent or friend, you are a valued part of the Central family.
#31
Suit up in your craziest costume and follow the Grand Lemming to the pond.
Hundreds of grads have been inspired, sweated, wrestled with molten glass and — finally! — created art in Central’s John Vruwink Glassblowing Studio. It’s a 40-year feature on campus, created in 1975. Today, the space is unrecognizable from Central’s first “studio” in the courtyard behind Lubbers Center. The first studio was built in a week after a traveling glassblower demonstrated his work on Peace Mall. Central leaders approved $1,000 for a two-week class, with the condition that any Central student could participate. At that time, professor of art John Vruwink ’58 didn’t have any more glass training than students. But Central’s primitive studio, with equipment built from scrap metal and a garden hose, was a success. Significant updates came in 1986 and 2011 — and classes are still available to any student.
#33
For many years, floats — some with rude messages about the opposing team — were a big part of an annual homecoming parade.
Central has had 21 different presidents. Each one left his mark on the institution.
Many alums remember this charismatic animal that lived at the De Haan Farm, across the street from Kruidenier Center.
Since 2013, the brand has been the official outfitter of the Dutch, and we’re the first Iowa college or university to become an Under Armour school.
#37
The original bridge, based on a Japanese design, was built in 1967 and was known for years as “Lubber’s Leap.” The new bridge, made of steel and concrete and installed in 2004, was designed to be safer and less slippery than the previous version.
#38
Whether it’s fresh-cookie Tuesday, ice-cream sundae Wednesday, or any other day of the week, the Market is cooking up delicious food with local ingredients.
#39
It’s boat races. It’s Lip Sync Contest. It’s a tradition to welcome spring with a few days of revelry.
#40
Officially Vocal/Instrumental Jazz and Pop Combo, and known as “combos,” these groups of piano, bass, drum, guitar and vocal students perform music of various styles.
Our long tradition of athletic excellence includes 11 NCAA championships. Who could forget moments like Emilie Hanson Brown’s (‘95) 1993 rebound shot to clinch the NCAA Division III women’s basketball semifinal? Or the 1974 win at the NCAA Division III Football Championship after holding off the Ithaca offense at the goal line? And let’s not forget the coaches — since 1974 Central coaches have been honored 132 times as Iowa Conference Coach of the Year. Hoo-rah!
#41
We recognize academic success! Our most prestigious scholarships are awarded to students with outstanding academic profiles who demonstrate potential for future success.
Held each fall years ago, the competition allowed underclassmen males to test their strength with tug-of-war. The losing team got dumped in the pond.
#44
The homecoming theater production is an annual tradition. This fall students presented “The School for Husbands,” a comedy by Molière.
#45
Maytag Student Center provides a warm and comfortable place for students to come together for study, conversation and fun.
Pella’s former movie theater, the Holland, was managed for years by Central. For $30, students could buy a SUAP (Student Union Activities Pass) to see every movie that came to town. Central recently returned to the theater business by assuming managerial responsibility for the Pella Cinema.
As one of the six founding colleges of the Chicago Semester program, Central has been sending students to work and study in the urban setting since 1974.
The railroad track that ran through campus is remembered by many former students. The train provided plenty of students with excuses for being late to class.
Said to have instigated many marriages, Sadie Hawkins dances were popular on campuses across the country in the 1940s and ‘50s. Women invited men to the dances, which were named after a character from the comic strip “Li’l Abner.”
#51
Just minutes away, the lake has provided generations of students a place to swim, cook out and enjoy nature.
#52
Tulip Time is a chance to sample some poffertjies, try Dutch dancing and — if you’re a student — wave to tourists as they take wagon tours past campus. Student clubs and teams work hard selling treats at their food stands.
#53
You made it! It’s the day we say hello to the future, but we never say goodbye to Central.