From the Desk of – Summer 2026
Story By: Chevy Freiburger, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission
June 15, 2026
At Central College, it’s not about what you become, but who.
I know that might sound like a twist on the usual college pitch. You’ve likely seen plenty of those — the ones that lead with job placement rates and internship pipelines. We have that story to tell, too. But after more than 20 years of welcoming students to this campus, what I’m most proud of isn’t what Central graduates go on to do. It’s who they are when they leave.
I see it in the student who blends business management and psychology while racing sprint cars and helping others find their way as entrepreneurs. In the engineering major who spends weekends and summers helping the food pantry. In the political science major committed to giving a voice to those who need it most.
Our students don’t just study a subject — they grow into people who are curious, connected and genuinely ready for the world in ways that go far beyond a résumé.
That’s Central
When families reach out, the questions they ask tell me everything. Of course they want to know about majors and housing. But underneath those questions is something deeper: Will my student be known here? Will someone notice if they’re struggling? Will they be challenged? Supported?
They’re great questions. And they’re the same ones I’d ask as a parent.
What I’d want for my own child is a place where a faculty member knows her name, her goals and maybe even her favorite study snack. A place where learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door but extends into real experiences: Studying abroad with faculty, conducting meaningful research, engaging in service that shapes how she sees her role in the world. Where community isn’t just a buzzword on a postcard but something she’d feel during orientation and carry with her long after graduation.
That place exists. And truth be told, you know it very well.
The college you remember is still here — and it has grown in all the right ways. Our faculty continue to go above and beyond, building meaningful relationships with students and creating experiences that are both personal and academically rigorous.
And today’s students are making the most of those opportunities — exploring new places, engaging deeply in the community and discovering strengths and passions they didn’t know they had. They arrive with an idea of who they might become. They leave with a stronger sense of who they are.
That’s what we mean when we say our students are multidimensional. It’s not a talking point. It’s what happens when the right environment meets a student at the right time.
As part of the greater Central family, you understand something important: What it feels like to belong here. That connection matters, and it’s something we care deeply about continuing for the next generation.
If Central is part of the conversation for your student, we’d be honored to be part of their story. To get to know them. To hear what excites them, what they’re still figuring out and who they’re becoming.
This place has always been about more than four years. It’s about the people who shape us and the ones we become along the way.
When you’re ready, we’d love to welcome your family back to campus.
Go Dutch!
Chevy Freiburger
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission