Thursday, April 5, 2018

Hello, Central College alumni, parents and friends! The Central College Dutch Letter keeps you in touch with what’s happening on campus and in our communities. Please pass this along to your Central friends.

1993 NCAA Softball National Champions Reunion
Saturday, April 7
1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Central Dutch vs. Simpson Storm
A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex softball field
Green Drinks
Sunday, April 22, 2 - 4 p.m.
Peace Tree Brewery
317 E Court Ave., Des Moines
Network with fellow alumni, other professionals and current students interested in sustainability careers and opportunities! RSVP

East Coast Tour

The A Cappella Choir begins their tour of the East Coast in May. The students are looking for homestays in Illinois, New York and New Jersey. Please contact Mark Babcock '91 at babcockm@central.edu if you are interested in hosting a Central College student. Check out their performance schedule on our events page!

Alumni Profile

Meet Brandon '13 and Jessica Riebkes Clough '14

Current town: Newton, Iowa.

Education: Jessica earned a B.A. from Central College, where she majored in biology with minors in Spanish and global sustainability. She received her master of science degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa. Brandon earned a B.A. from Central, where he majored in biology and environmental science with a minor in chemistry.

Hobbies/Activities: We enjoy exploring Iowa's natural areas with our dog, hiking the U.S. National Parks, cheering on the Chicago Cubs, kayaking and biking Iowa's trails in search of good breweries. Jessica enjoys gardening and yoga, while Brandon likes to hunt, fish and run.

SWE Tours Dallas

In January, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble toured Dallas, Texas, where they enjoyed visits to the Jewish Community Center, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza and performed to a captive audience at the Pinewood Hills Senior Center.

Students Tour Lake

Central students toured Red Rock Dam as part of the global sustainability component of the EXSC 215 course. The class participated in a U.S. Army Corps. of Engineering project to promote the use of life jackets on Red Rock Lake. Photos similar to the one shown here will be used in publications this spring and summer.

History Day

For 13 years, Central College has hosted the regional History Day Competition, coordinated by Associate History Professor of History Lori Witt. There were 250 high school students who participated in this year's event along with 64 judges. This year's theme was Conflict and Compromise in History. Learn more

On Exhibit

Andrea Busker Van Wyk '84 of Pella will exhibit her work, entitled "Explorations," in the Mills Gallery April 4 - 20. Mills Gallery will host an artist talk and reception Thursday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. Learn more.

Art majors from the class of 2018 will exhibit their work in the gallery April 26 - May 11. The senior exhibitors include: Kayla Foster, Callie Gardemann, Jessica Lippert, Madison Thingstad and Scottie Yang.

Qualified to Represent

Athletic training majors Marissa Drake '18, Kelsi Griffiths '18 and Whitney Pavlat '14 qualified to represent the State of Iowa at Mid-American Athletic Trainer Association's annual symposium in Omaha, Nebraska. After winning the Iowa competition, the trio went on to compete against 13 teams from the seven state region.

John Deere Foundation Gifts Students

For the second year in a row, Central College has received a grant from the John Deere Foundation to support the college's long-standing Upward Bound program. Read more.

James Muyskens '64 to Speak at Commencement

James Muyskens ’64, university professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, will speak at the Central College commencement Saturday, May 19.

Sarah Fosdick Turnbull '00 Jared Hottle '13 Krista Sjaardema Grant '98

Central Celebrations

On March 18, Rob Lindley '95 of Chicago was honored by the Central Region Equal Employment Opportunity Committee of Actor's Equity Association with the Kathryn V Lamkey Award. Rob was recognized for his dedication to non-traditional casting and equal opportunity. Rob is an actor, director and producer in the Chicago area.

On January 23, Jim Bollard '77 was presented the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Des Moines Park and Recreation Department. Jim has been with the Friends of Des Moines Parks since its early years and has volunteered for many other leadership roles in the Des Moines community.

In February, Christina Weber '99 of San Francisco, California, received the 2017 Ray C. Anderson Sustainability Award and a $2,500 grant to the charity of her choice at this year's Interface Sales Meeting. Christina is the regional vice president of global and strategic accounts at Interface Flooring Systems.

Reunion

Did your predictions play out in March? Members of the class of 1977 gathered at the home of John Fisher and Jann Freed '77 and watched their teams fall. A good time was had by all despite the "March Madness." They are pictured left to right: John Halma '77, Mark Patterson '77, Jann Freed '77, Tom Swanson '77 and Al Paris '77.

A Central Legacy

We are thrilled to count Evelyn Elise Newton among our growing legacy family. Evelyn is the daughter of Derek and Meghan Cain Newton '13 of Cedar Falls.

Alumni Donors

Meet Dale '69 and Eileen Miller Vander Wilt '70

Hometown: Dale–Sully, Iowa; Eileen–Fair Lawn, Illinois.

Where do you live? Clive, Iowa

Education: Dale–Majored in math with a minor in physics. I received my master's degree in physical education.
Eileen–Majored in elementary education with a minor in geography.

Why do you support Central College? We believe in Central College! We have experienced what Central has done in our lives and our children's lives. We hope our support will in some small way assist the college in maintaining, enhancing and expanding its academic programs and activity opportunities.