Third Floor John 1973

Never Too Old to Rock

The band Third Floor John, a campus staple of the early 1970s, has reunited to produce an album benefiting the Songs of Love Foundation.

Oct 24, 2011

If the Shirt Fits

Adam Weiler ’04 runs Ambrose, an after-school program that sells T-shirts to fund hands-on art workshops. His passion for working with young people began at Central.

Oct 21, 2011 | 1 Comment

Ryan Rumery

The Sound and Music

A sound designer and composer, Ryan Rumery has made a name for himself working in theatre productions in New York City and beyond.

Oct 19, 2011 | 3 Comments

Vince and Denise with their sons V.J. and Devin, both Central students

The Prognosis is Good

After a campus visit with their son, two Des Moines doctors realized how a Central liberal arts education develops stand-out medical professionals.

Oct 12, 2011 | 3 Comments

Impure Science

Dr. Harriet Washington visited Central to talk about medical ethics and African Americans in connection this year’s common summer reading.

Sep 30, 2011

Artist Sarah Grant in the Mills Gallery

Des Moines artist Sarah Grant recently held an exhibition at Central College. Although she’s been a painter for 33 years, she still fears the blank paper at the start of each project.

Sep 26, 2011

Taking a Swing

Shane Nelson ‘11 is fulfilling his dream of working in professional baseball.

Sep 22, 2011

The Trail Less Traveled

Olivia Schouten didn’t have a boring summer. The sophomore spent a month in the Alaskan backcountry learning survival and leadership skills.

Sep 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

Paul Kovacovic

The Practical Pianist

Central’s newest assistant professor of music blends his passion for piano with real-world knowledge to give students the complete picture.

Sep 19, 2011 | 3 Comments

"Freedom" Hanbound leather book 11 x 16 x 6"--Paper, leather, metal, found objects, wood--$575

Lost and Found

Gena Ollendieck ’91 creates artwork out of discarded objects and vintage photos. Her pieces evoke a mixture of deep nostalgia and bright optimism that fascinates the contemporary art world.

Aug 31, 2011 | 2 Comments

What’s Eating Our Economy?

Dr. Brian Peterson, associate professor of economics, talks about the annual deficit, the national debt and how we can climb out of the hole.

Aug 24, 2011 | 3 Comments

Timothy Johnson rides a Trikke

Beating Burnout on the Job

Timothy Johnson ’89 helps clients escape professional inertia. He has tips for fellow alumni who might need a little occupational CPR.

Aug 16, 2011

Moments from a Meaningful Life

Former president Dr. Ken Weller talks about his service in the Navy, his time at Central and his work shaping college education and athletics.

Aug 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

C-SPAN Road to the White House Tour bus

C-SPAN and Central

The Campaign 2012 bus visited Pella Aug. 10. Watch a video tour and see Central faculty and students talk to C-SPAN.

Aug 12, 2011

civitas

CIVITAS

You’ve tried to pronounce it. You’ve guessed at its definition. You’ve wondered if we made the word up. You even considered the possibility that we’d lost our minds. Now find out what Civitas really is.

Aug 8, 2011

Dr. Russ Benedict

Little College on the Prairie

The research being done by Russ Benedict and his students could solve our addiction to fossil fuels and restore Iowa’s landscape.

Aug 8, 2011 | 3 Comments

Trevi Fountain

A Grown-Up Fairy Tale

Performing for children in Italy, a recent Central grad fulfills her dream of becoming a professional actor.

Aug 8, 2011 | 1 Comment

Thom Vines

Take Their Word For It

Two alumni and their families turn personal stories into books, all without the help of an agent or a publishing company.

Aug 8, 2011

Executive-In-Residence Teaches Social Entrepreneurship

As executive-in-residence at Central this fall, Rick Ryan ’70 will teach students how to live like entrepreneurs.

Aug 8, 2011

Jann Freed

Jann Freed Retires

Community service, photography and family inspire Freed as she steps into retirement after three decades at Central.

Aug 8, 2011

Ed Willis

Ed Willis Retires

Arriving on campus with no intention of staying in Iowa, Willis fell in love with Central College and its students during his 44 years here.

Aug 8, 2011 | 1 Comment

Dale DeWild

Dale DeWild Retires

A world traveler and an advocate of international education, DeWild tried to impress upon his students the importance of social justice.

Aug 8, 2011

New Plaza Entryway to Campus

Three brick-faced signs at campus corners and a plaza entryway outside Central Hall should be completed by Homecoming.

Aug 8, 2011

Fifth Year for Common Read

This year’s community read profiles a poor tobacco farmer whose tumor cells helped launch modern cancer research.

Aug 8, 2011 | 8 Comments

Geisler statue

Five Million for Scholarships

Endowed by the the Geisler Penquite Foundation, the scholarships will be awarded to students accepted into the teacher preparation program at Central.

Aug 8, 2011

Tom Boat

Boat Receives Honorary Doctorate

Tom Boat ’61 spoke at Commencement in May and moderated a panel during Central’s health science symposium in March.

Aug 8, 2011

Strey Named Dean of Student Life

A former assistant dean of students at Gustavus Adolphus, Charlie Strey brings 30 years of experience to Central.

Aug 8, 2011

Faculty Awards Ceremony

Faculty Awards

Faculty members gathered at a reception in May to recognize the work and dedication of their colleagues.

Aug 8, 2011

Commencement 2011

The class of 2011 included 334 graduates, who received diplomas from President Putnam on May 14.

Aug 8, 2011

Tutoring on service day

Service Day 2011

More than 750 students, faculty and staff signed up to participate in Central’s Service Day on April 19.

Aug 8, 2011

A Sense of Community

Jim and Kathy are making a commitment to Central itself — an investment in its future. They look back fondly on their days here 50 years ago.

Aug 8, 2011

Annie Wignall

Packing Comfort in a Bag

As a child, Annie Wignall ’10 dedicated herself to caring for the world’s displaced and disadvantaged children.

Aug 8, 2011 | 1 Comment

Sue Esperanza and Dwane

Family Without Borders

The Central connection in Merida, Yucatan, touched the lives of the McFerrin family and sparked their generosity to an orphan they hardly knew.

Aug 8, 2011 | 1 Comment

Pipe Dreams

Fascinated with the instrument since childhood, associate professor Mark Babcock ended up chairing a major organ convention.

Aug 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

Dick Redman

Jazzin’ Up the Schools

After 35 years spent inspiring a love of music in his students, Dick Redman ‘76 retires as band director at Pella Schools.

Aug 8, 2011

SWE in Merida

Our Musicians in Mexico

Two Central ensembles performed in the Yucatan over winter break, to the delight of the Central students and local audiences.

Aug 8, 2011

Central Dutch Travel to Italy

Returning to Italy for a second trip in four years, 40 members of the Central College football team made stops in Rome, Venice, Florence and Trieste.

Aug 8, 2011

Kurtis Brondyke

League Champ Central No. 7 in NCAA Men’s Track

A seventh-place national team finish was just one of many season highlights for Central’s powerhouse men’s track and field squad.

Aug 8, 2011

Ziskovsky Helps Fuel Top-20 Women’s Track Finish

The Dutch finish 17th in the NCAA Division III championships and third in the league standings.

Aug 8, 2011

Baseball Team Set Records During Winning Season

The Central baseball team earned a league tournament berth for the seventh time in eight years.

Aug 8, 2011

Brent Messmore

Central Attends 30th NCAA Men’s Golf Tourney

Chad Green was named the league’s coach of the year, and Jason Harvey ’11 took league medalist and MVP honors.

Aug 8, 2011

Bowser Earns All-League Men’s Tennis Honors

Bowser played No. 1 singles and doubles for the Dutch, who finished fourth in the league standings.

Aug 8, 2011

Senior Katie Tenboer

Central Shares Softball Crown as Wares Sets Wins Mark

A rock-solid senior class propelled the Central softball team to a share of the program’s 11th Iowa Conference championship.

Aug 8, 2011

What Shall We Talk About?

When is the last time you had a meaningful conversation? The tyranny of the urgent too often diminishes the opportunity for deeper discussion about some of the better things.

Aug 8, 2011

The Pond

Through the Generations

A new program will let alumni trade stories and advice online about the joys and struggles of every age and stage.

Aug 8, 2011

Alumni Profiles

Jill (Dierks) Lutes ’87, William E. Urmston ‘62 and Miranda Kouba ‘09 talk about their time at Central and their lives since graduation.

Aug 8, 2011

Homecoming 1940

Alumni Trivia

Test your knowledge of life at Central College throughout the years.

Aug 8, 2011

A Final Word from the Editor

Abby Gonzales Larson ’02 reflects on her great memories of Central.

Aug 8, 2011