Summer 2011 Issue
Past Issues
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.
Shane Hallengren '11
October 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.
Shane Hallengren '11
October 21, 2011 | 1 Comment
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.
Shane Hallengren '11
October 19, 2011 | 3 Comments
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.
Shane Hallengren '11
October 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.
Rachel Vogel
September 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.
September 26, 2011
Taking a Swing
Athletics
Shane Nelson ‘11 is fulfilling his dream of working in professional baseball.
Shane Hallengren '11
September 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.
Shane Hallengren '11
September 19, 2011 | 1 Comment
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.
Shane Hallengren '11
September 19, 2011 | 3 Comments
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.
Rachel Vogel
August 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.
Rachel Vogel
August 24, 2011 | 3 Comments
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.
Rachel Vogel
August 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.
Rachel Vogel
August 16, 2011 | 5 Comments
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.
August 12, 2011
Jann Freed Retires
Community service, photography and family inspire Freed as she steps into retirement after three decades at Central.
August 8, 2011
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.
August 8, 2011 | 1 Comment
Dale DeWild Retires
A world traveler and an advocate of international education, DeWild tried to impress upon his students the importance of social justice.
August 8, 2011
Packing Comfort in a Bag
As a child, Annie Wignall ’10 dedicated herself to caring for the world’s displaced and disadvantaged children.
August 8, 2011 | 1 Comment
New Plaza Entryway to Campus
Three brick-faced signs at campus corners and a plaza entryway outside Central Hall should be completed by Homecoming.
August 8, 2011
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.
August 8, 2011
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.
Rachel Vogel
August 8, 2011 | 3 Comments
A Grown-Up Fairy Tale
Performing for children in Italy, a recent Central grad fulfills her dream of becoming a professional actor.
Rachel Vogel
August 8, 2011 | 1 Comment
Our Musicians in Mexico
Two Central ensembles performed in the Yucatan over winter break, to the delight of the Central students and local audiences.
August 8, 2011
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.
August 8, 2011 | 1 Comment
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.
August 8, 2011
Pipe Dreams
Fascinated with the instrument since childhood, associate professor Mark Babcock ended up chairing a major organ convention.
Rachel Vogel
August 8, 2011 | 5 Comments
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.
August 8, 2011
Service Day 2011
More than 750 students, faculty and staff signed up to participate in Central’s Service Day on April 19.
August 8, 2011
A Final Word from the Editor
Abby Gonzales Larson ’02 reflects on her great memories of Central.
August 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.
August 8, 2011
Commencement 2011
The class of 2011 included 334 graduates, who received diplomas from President Putnam on May 14.
August 8, 2011
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.
Val Van Kooten
August 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.
Val Van Kooten
August 8, 2011
Central Shares Softball Crown as Wares Sets Wins Mark
Athletics
A rock-solid senior class propelled the Central softball team to a share of the program’s 11th Iowa Conference championship.
August 8, 2011
Bowser Earns All-League Men’s Tennis Honors
Athletics
Bowser played No. 1 singles and doubles for the Dutch, who finished fourth in the league standings.
August 8, 2011
Central Attends 30th NCAA Men’s Golf Tourney
Athletics
Chad Green was named the league’s coach of the year, and Jason Harvey ’11 took league medalist and MVP honors.
August 8, 2011
Baseball Team Set Records During Winning Season
Athletics
The Central baseball team earned a league tournament berth for the seventh time in eight years.
August 8, 2011
Ziskovsky Helps Fuel Top-20 Women’s Track Finish
Athletics
The Dutch finish 17th in the NCAA Division III championships and third in the league standings.
August 8, 2011
League Champ Central No. 7 in NCAA Men’s Track
Athletics
A seventh-place national team finish was just one of many season highlights for Central’s powerhouse men’s track and field squad.
August 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.
August 8, 2011
Through the Generations
A new program will let alumni trade stories and advice online about the joys and struggles of every age and stage.
August 8, 2011
Faculty Awards
Faculty members gathered at a reception in May to recognize the work and dedication of their colleagues.
August 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.
August 8, 2011
Boat Receives Honorary Doctorate
Tom Boat ’61 spoke at Commencement in May and moderated a panel during Central’s health science symposium in March.
August 8, 2011
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.
August 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.
August 8, 2011 | 8 Comments
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.
August 8, 2011