Summer 2025 Issue

Sunny Gonzales Eighmy ’99, vice president for advancement, speaks to members of the Central family during the Scholarship Celebration Dinner and launch event for the World of Good campaign.

Dear Central Family,

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be in a room full of talented women leaders including CEOs, entrepreneurs, small business owners and influencers. The speaker left us with a parting thought — leaders set the weather. They can walk into a room and make it icy, dark and gloomy or bright and sunny.

Today we are watching a real storm sweep across the country, that’s causing turbulent times for institutions of higher education at all levels. Is college worth it? Can families afford it? How will the curriculum evolve? Who will support our mission?

As a nonprofit organization, Central College has challenges but also has prepared well for the storm. Supported by communities of generous alumni, parents, employees, friends, foundations, churches and businesses, the college is not alone weathering the strong winds of change.

In fact, the weather can produce creativity, inspiration and fun. Have you ever seen college students sledding on cookie sheets? Children playing in the ocean for the first time? Adults dancing in the rain? Gardens (and tulips) blooming in the sunlight?

Our daughter Piper is a member of Central’s Class of 2028. She’s on the women’s soccer and wrestling teams, majoring in biology and business management with an emphasis in finance, serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and Student Senate and active with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Bible studies through Campus Ministries.

I’m reminded by students and grateful parents, Central is a special place.

And worth it.

We arguably need it now more than ever. Piper shared in an essay:

“I grew up so close to the college with family connections and living in Pella. I met and connected with faculty and students before I was even thinking about college. I remember attending basketball games, visiting the pods with my college-student babysitters and riding in the golf cart with President Putnam. Being able to be so involved with Central not just as a student, but also as a community member makes me passionate for the connection between the two. The history and culture of the college holds such a special place in my heart and has instilled a passion in me for upholding the values that have been so influential in my upbringing.”

The skies of higher ed may look cloudy now but they are about to clear at Central with your help. The sun is breaking through! My favorite part of our A World of Good campaign is our goal to raise both dollars and goodwill — how authentically Central!

If there’s been a drought in your giving, don’t wait to refresh and renew your commitment to Central. This is a critical time in the history of our institution and your participation matters. This message is not just for alumni. If you’ve been a part of our record fundraising heat wave, thank you! Please consider if there’s more you can do by way of philanthropy or service in this very special time between now and 2028 when we celebrate 175 years of Central.

Members of the Central family are leaders. And leaders set the weather. Together, let’s make it sunny and 75 for the next 175 years.

Warmly,

Sunny Gonzales Eighmy ’99
Vice President for Advancement