The Central College Alumni, Donors and Friends Newsletter

Central College alumni are doing a world of good every day for young people. Heather Burr Isaacson ’97 has been introducing students from Des Moines’ Findley Elementary to Central for years. The video above was created in celebration of the 10-year partnership between Central and the By Degrees Foundation, featuring seniors from Des Moines’ North High School — the first class to partner with Central since third-grade year.

As alumni, you have many opportunities to be involved with students and prospective students. The alumni engagement office seeks volunteers to engage with students admitted to Central for Fall 2024 through our Adopt-A-Student program. Join in our efforts as we continue building relationships with our future Central Dutch! To date, we have nearly 900 students admitted!

The annual Career Kickstarter program needs alumni mentors and or other Pella area professionals for micro-internships on Monday, Jan. 8, and Tuesday, Jan. 9. Contact Jodie Smith, associate director of career development.

As we close another year together, we are so thankful for each of you. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to give to Central before the end of the year. Make a donation to honor your Central experience. Your gift will help Central prepare our next class of innovators, educators and leaders.

Central’s music program welcomes the public to a host of holiday concerts, including the 49th annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts, Dec. 7-9. It will be livestreamed on Friday, Dec. 8 on the Central Dutch Network.

Thank you! The Central family raised more than $128,645 for scholarships and other college programs through Giving Tuesday.

Central continues its commitment to environmental stewardship with the installation of a second student-designed sticker mural on the windows of the Roe Center to reduce bird collisions. KCCI TV covered the installation.

Clay Thompson ’90 leads listeners through “On Leadership,” a podcast that facilitates conversation with six Central affiliated leaders from various fields and disciplines.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all donors and friends who have lifted Central through your spirit of generosity and philanthropy. If you are interested in receiving your calendar-year-end giving history for tax purposes or your fair market value for an endowed account, please contact Sunny Gonzales Eighmy ’99, vice president for advancement, at eighmys@central.edu. We would be happy to provide you with that information.