Summer 2025 Issue

Central College changes lives. From its historic founding in 1853 to its bold strides toward the future, Central has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation and a deep commitment to doing good in our world.

This place has a way of sticking with you. It doesn’t matter if you passed through this campus for a summer camp, wedding, athletics event or as a student, Central works its way into your heart and you never forget it.

It feels like home.

At Central, accomplishments and accolades are abundant. Whether on the field, the stage or in the classroom, students, alumni, parents and friends carry forward a strong sense of humility and pride.

However, our rich history and storied achievements mean nothing if we don’t invest in our future.

Now, as we approach Central’s 175th anniversary in 2028, we celebrate our past and prepare to launch into the next chapter with A World of Good: The comprehensive campaign to support current and future students and strengthen the foundation of this beloved institution.

Many hands make light work — especially when it comes to planting tulip bulbs on campus and in Pella!

The Focus

Quietly launched in 2021-22, this multi-year, $50 million comprehensive campaign focuses on:

• Providing Access: Ensuring a rich and rewarding educational experience for all students by pairing accomplished faculty with eager minds.
• Innovating Academics: Invigorating academic design to fuel creativity and prepare students for an ever-evolving world.
• Strengthening Community: Building partnerships that connect and engage citizens locally and globally.
• Securing Futures: Sustaining Central’s transformative experience for generations to come.

Lending Your Support

The most impactful gift you can make is one directed to the campaign itself. This allows college leadership, including Central’s Board of Trustees, to allocate funds where they are needed most — ensuring the greatest impact. Your generosity supports both immediate priorities and future opportunities, providing the flexibility to meet evolving needs in a constantly changing world.

Other areas of support include:

• Student Scholarships. At Central, we believe every student should have access to an exceptional education — without financial barriers. Scholarships play a vital role in making this a reality. Your generosity not only empowers talented, driven students to pursue their dreams but also eases financial burdens for families and strengthens Central’s long-term sustainability. Our goal is to provide donor-funded scholarships to 100% of our students, and with your support, we’re confident we can make it happen.
• Leave Your Legacy. Central’s Leave A Legacy Challenge provides a powerful way to support future students through planned gifts. By documenting your estate gift, participants can unlock an immediate matching contribution — directing 10% of your gift’s estimated value — to the scholarship, academic, athletics or campus program of your choice. Thanks to the generosity of Rich ’62 and Mary Roorda Glendening ’62, Emily and Larry Reynen ’71 and the family of Terry Garvin ’72, these matching funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This challenge inspires new documented planned gifts, ensuring a legacy that supports Central students for generations to come.
• The Central Experience. Your gift is a vital investment in Central’s future. The endowment provides critical funding for ongoing and future initiatives, opening doors for students, attracting top-tier faculty and expanding access to a Central education. Every contribution strengthens Central’s ability to create transformative academic experiences, equipping students to lead, innovate and make a lasting impact. With your support, we can do even more.
• Imagine More. Since Central’s founding, the college and the City of Pella have grown together, guided by shared vision and leadership. Now, through the Imagine More initiative — launched in partnership with the Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance — we’re building on this legacy by expanding opportunities and strengthening collaboration. Together, we’re creating solutions for work, living and growth — benefiting both Central and Pella for years to come. (Read more on Imagine More.)

Central College students pack food and meals during a service event on campus.

Goodwill

At the core of Central’s mission lies empathy. Our values emphasize people, relationships and a compassionate approach to education through our engaged citizen core curriculum. This commitment binds us together, fostering a community that supports, uplifts and inspires.

In this campaign we aren’t just raising dollars, we’re also raising goodwill.

Over the course of A World of Good, we’re calling on the Central family to give back to the institution you love but also to serve the communities and organizations you hold near and dear in honor of Central and your experience. Our collective impact is greater when the Central family serves others.

The Challenges Ahead

The challenges higher education is facing demand bold action.

Social unrest, political polarization, volatile financial markets and technological shifts create an uncertain landscape.

Central’s innovative decisions — such as introducing an affordable tuition model in 2019 — highlight our dedication to accessibility and transparency. These commitments, paired with our values and history of creativity and grit, instill confidence in Central’s sustainable economic future.

From the Great Depression, when students’ work funded faculty salaries, to launching a cutting-edge aviation program during wartime, Central has consistently stepped forward. These defining moments exemplify our mission of service, resilience and creativity.

With your help, we will not just weather these challenges but lead through these uncertain times.

Mission trips offer opportunities for hands-on service, personal growth and a deepening of faith while making a meaningful impact.

Here and Now

This is the moment to step forward.

Central is in a position of strength thanks to those who came before us paying it forward, and now, the torch has been passed. We’re calling on you, the Central family, to ensure a Central education remains accessible to all — another 175 years into the future (and beyond).

Your investment in A World of Good is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers. Central graduates become CEOs, teachers, doctors and civic leaders. They are the individuals we trust to guide our future.

Each year, Central students roll up their sleeves to help the Pella community, community partners and beyond through service.

Join Us

As we approach 175 years of excellence, we honor the milestones that shaped us and look forward with optimism and determination. Central’s legacy of service, innovation and resilience inspires us to dream bigger and achieve more.

You love this place. You wouldn’t be reading this right now if you didn’t. We’re not here to ask you for the world, we just ask that you do what you can to create more good in our world.

Serve your community. Give back what you can to Central. And pass the good along in your everyday life.

Help us scatter seeds of goodness across the globe. With your support, we can continue to educate, innovate and build relationships with students who will lead with empathy and create meaningful change.

Together, we will do a world of good for generations to come.

To view the campaign launch video narrated by Harry Smith ’73, visit central.edu/scholarship-dinner25.

Ready To Do a World of Good?

Here’s how:

• Visit worldofgood.central.edu.
• Support the campaign.
• Serve your community. Log your hours at worldofgood.central.edu/service-hours.
• Meet with us. Our advancement team is ready to answer your questions and meet with you to discuss how your philanthropic priorities align. Contact us at 641-628-5154 or development@central.edu.

25 in ’25
Let us know about the good you’re doing at Central, in your own community or anywhere in the world. Visit worldofgood.central.edu/service-hours to submit your service hours and a photo to help us calculate and share the impact the Central family has on our world. Complete 25 hours of service and give $25 to the World of Good campaign in 2025, and you’ll receive the official World of Good T-shirt!