New leadership in Advancement

Dave Sutphen ’61

This spring, Central College celebrated a significant retirement and welcomed a major new member to the advancement office. Dave Sutphen ’61, vice president for advancement, retired April 12 and transitioned into a new position as advisor to the president. Bill Northup ’83 of Clive, Iowa, stepped into the vice president role April 15.

After 12 years of faithful service, Sutphen will devote his talents toward athletics facilities fundraising and serve as a Central ambassador, managing key relationships to the college in consultation with the president.

“It’s important to the Central family that his long legacy and dedication to the college continues,” said Mark Putnam, president. “Dave led by example in many ways and not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk—characteristics our donors valued.”

Sutphen returned to campus in 2000 as director of planned giving after working at Wormhoudt and Kempkes in Pella upon graduation and later purchasing the clothing store in 1981. He moved into the vice president role at the college in 2005.

Bill Northup ’83

His leadership was key to Central’s largest fundraising campaign in history as the college exceeded the phase one goal, raising more than $52.5 million in the Campaign for Central, and later marched through the phase two goal. At the close of the campaign, Central raised more than $89.4 million and attained a Kresge Foundation challenge grant.

Northup spent a successful 24-year career at Wells Fargo where he served as senior vice president and regional fiduciary manager of the greater Minnesota/Iowa region. He held a series of advancing leadership roles at Wells Fargo and worked in six senior vice president roles in the Quad Cities and Des Moines offices.

At Central, Northup was active in band, choir, football and the pre-law club. His brothers Norm ’73, Phil ’77 and Bo ’84 each attended Central and their parents Bill and Wilma were named honorary alumni in 2011. He is also a member of the Central Club, Friends of the Central Arts and Cornerstone Society.

“Central College played a major role in making me who I am today,” said Northup. “To have an opportunity like this to come back and help continue the legacy of what Central has meant to so many young men and women is a dream come true for me.”