A Lifetime Membership

You’ve likely seen them cheering on the Dutch at a Central College softball or football game or around Pella, but Jeremy ’97 and Laura Bach Olson ’93 don’t live in town. In fact, they don’t live in Iowa, but in their hometown of Mapleton, Minnesota, and come back as much as possible — that’s how much they love Central.

The Path to Central

Laura fondly remembers her first encounter with Central, tagging along with a friend on a campus visit and immediately feeling welcomed by the friendly atmosphere.

“It wasn’t even my visit; my friend Julie Nelson ’92, invited me to come along for the day with her parents,” Laura recalls. “We played softball together and she was going to meet with the coach, and before the day was over, I knew I was going to Central.”

Central was the right fit to continue her educational and softball careers. Jeremy was introduced to Central through Laura, and after serving in the Navy for four years, joined her in Pella.

Central provided a sense of belonging and purpose for the Olsons and their shared experiences from academics to athletics and campus involvement, solidified their bond with the college.

“The people were a large part of our experience,” she says.

For Laura, Gert Beintema, former staff member, Larry Happel ’81, athletics communications director, George Wares ’76, head women’s softball coach and lecturer of kinesiology, and Ken Weller, president emeritus, among countless friends and professors, played a big role in her four years at Central. Jeremy echoes a similar sentiment.

“I met Dean Marjorie Giles on my visit, and Laura being at Central was a plus, but the welcoming, warm feeling I got in that meeting is what drew me to Central and is what I remember most,” Jeremy shares.

After Laura graduated from Central and earned her master’s, the couple’s path led them to fruitful careers and family life back in their hometown. For Laura, this meant teaching biology and coaching; for Jeremy, success in manufacturing. Despite their distance, their ties to Central remained strong.

The Next Generation

When the time came for their children to look at schools, the couple hoped, but didn’t force Central on them because they knew fit was most important.

“My students are always asking, ‘Is college worth the money?’ ‘Two years or four?’ and so on,” Laura says. “There’s so much development that happens those four years after high school. It’s a very influential time, so being in the right spot is important. No matter if you’re seeking a two-year degree from a vocational school, the military or a four-year school, make sure it’s the right fit because it can determine what the rest of your journey is going to be like.”

Central won both Tyler ’18 and Kylie ’19 over in the end and witnessing their children’s graduations was a moment of pride and reflection for the couple.

“Seeing the kids walk across the stage at graduation, we just kind of hated to see it end,” Jeremy shares. “It had been so much fun for us! We’d become close with their friends and their friends’ families hanging out at games and around Pella. We were proud, but it just felt like the end of an era.”

As parents of two Central graduates and proud Central alumni themselves, the Olsons continued to be active supporters of Central, attending games, participating in events and contributing to Central Club and the Journey Scholarship Fund. Their passion for Central and involvement with the college reflects their belief in the power of a Central education and their commitment to ensuring future generations have similar opportunities.

“It feels like home,” Jeremy shares. “We talk about it a lot. Once we hit Highway 163 and we’re pulling into Pella, there’s this happiness that is almost overwhelming. And that’s the way it is on campus, too. We have memories of our time there and from Tyler and Kylie, too.”

A sentiment dear to both their hearts, Laura agrees. Their dedication to Central is rooted in the impact the college has had on their lives. “Itʼs hard to put into words,” Laura admits. “The decision I made as a 17-year-old has changed and dictated how all of our lives — mine, Jeremy’s and the kids’ — have turned out.”

In reflecting on their Central journey, the couple expresses gratitude for their experiences both as alumni and parents. For the Olsons, supporting Central isn’t just about financial contributions; it’s about preserving the transformation that happens over the course of four years, the amazing opportunities and the lifelong relationships created here.

“It’s part of our responsibility to the next generation,” Laura affirms. “We need to pass that on and ensure future students get to experience those things and enjoy all the benefits of attending Central. Then they can do the same when they graduate.”

“No matter what you can give, you’re helping someone; that’s what matters,” Jeremy adds.

The couple’s commitment to giving back and passion for Central encapsulates their deep connection to the college, embodying what it means to be Forever Dutch®.

“I can’t explain the immense pride I feel when I see Central on anything, whether it’s an advertisement or on social media,” Laura says. “I remember seeing a post about students accepted into dental school and it makes me think of my son who’s graduating from dental school. And because of his experience, I know they’re well-prepared for what’s to come. You just know these grads will go on to do great things.”

Central students may be here for four years, but membership in the Central family is for life — a lifetime pass the Olsons carry with pride.