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Central College (Iowa)

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Central College is a private college in Pella, Iowa, United States. Affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, the college was founded in 1853 and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or its predecessor since 1942.[6] Central has a student body of approximately 1,100 undergraduates.[7] and more than 70 academic programs.

Central College
Former names
Central University of Iowa[1]
TypePrivate college
Established1853; 171 years ago (1853)[2]
Religious affiliation
Reformed Church in America
Academic affiliations
CIC
Endowment$79.5 million (2020)[3]
PresidentMark Putnam
Academic staff
91 Full-time (Fall 2023)[4]
Students1,169(Fall 2022)[5]
Location
Pella
,
Iowa

41°24′01″N 92°55′07″W / 41.4002°N 92.9186°W / 41.4002; -92.9186
CampusUrban, 130 acres (53 ha)
Colors   Red & white
NicknameDutch
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – A-R-C
Websitecentral.edu

History

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Central College's oldest building, Jordan Hall

The Baptist Convention of Iowa founded Central University of Iowa in 1853 and it officially opened on October 8, 1854. The first class totaled 37 people. Central was a Baptist institution until 1916, when it was transferred to the control of the Reformed Church in America. Since 1886, Iowa Baptists had shifted their post-secondary education interests to Des Moines College, and hoped to reduce Central to a feeder school.[2][8][9]

The college was called Central University of Iowa (CUI), at least until 1991.[1] It was renamed "Central College" in 1994.[10]

It was home to local radio station 89.1 KCUI-FM and the award-winning newspaper “The Ray.”

Central has a history of interesting architectural features. The first buildings of the new college in 1853 were Dutch Colonial and part of what was recently known as Strawtown Inn. The first dormitory, Cotton Hall, is noted for its ornate Victorian porch and stained glass windows. Building innovation continues with the addition of "green" buildings.[11]

In September 2019 it was announced that Central College would lower their yearly tuition starting in the Fall 2020 semester, dropping to $18,600, from $38,600.

Campus

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Central College's 130-acre (53 ha) campus is a few blocks from Pella's downtown square, two minutes from Iowa's largest lake and 40 minutes from Des Moines. Pella's annual Tulip Festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each spring.[12] Central is a residential campus where students can live in residence halls, townhouses, and apartment style "green pods."

The college's emphasis on sustainability has led to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Vermeer Science Center was Iowa's first LEED-rated building, and Howard McKee Hall received the first gold rating in the state. The newest building, Roe Center, received a platinum rating.[13]

Major buildings

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Maytag Student Center—During the summer of 2014, the student center underwent a $3.1 million renovation to Maytag Student Center made possible by the Fred Maytag Family foundation. The renovations include a new workout facility, a new Student Activity Center and additional Fred's dining area.

The Roe Center—Named after Central's 20th president, Dr. David H. Roe, was completed in the fall of 2009. The $17 million facility houses the education and psychology departments, as well as Community-Based Learning. Central College was awarded a platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for the design of the Roe Center. The facility features environmentally friendly building practices and an energy efficient building design, such as a green roof, natural ventilating system, radiant floor heating/cooling system and daylight harvesting systems.

Vermeer Science Center—Underwent a $20 million renovation in 2003, and was the first building in the state of Iowa and the first science building in the nation to be recognized as a green building by the U.S. Green Building Council. It was subsequently awarded a silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. The mathematics, computer science, physics, biology and chemistry departments are located in the building. Vermeer features many study spaces and quiet tables located outside professors’ offices that encourage student/faculty interaction.

Weller Center for Business and International Studies—Built in 1999, it was Central's first step in green building featuring natural light, solar panels and carpet made of recycled materials in every room. It contains the business, foreign language, international studies and communication studies departments.

Central Market—Central's main dining facility. It is designed to resemble a European marketplace.

Geisler Library—Holds nearly a quarter of a million resources including books, magazines, newspapers, music, reference periodicals, microfilm, historical information and art.

Kuyper Athletic Complex—The Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium replaced its Fieldturf in 2024. The field is surrounded by a 400-meter BSS 1000 polyurethane track which also houses dual runways for jumping events and a two-way pole vault pit. The H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse houses a 200-meter track and five tennis courts. The surface is Mondotrack, which is the same surface used in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.

Academics

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Central offers more than 70 academic programs and pre-professional advising. Pre-professional programs include medicine, law, nursing and pharmacy. Academic programs include: accounting, athletic training, biology, communication studies, computer science, education, music, natural science, physics and languages.[14] 85% of faculty have a PhD or other terminal degree. The average class size is 16 students and the student to faculty ratio is 12–1.

Central students are encouraged to get involved in off-campus experiences during their time on campus. Central offers year-round programs around the world. Summer programs are also available in many locations.

Athletics

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See also: Central Dutch football

Central has 21 sports programs and competes in the A-R-C of the NCAA. Sports include football, wrestling, volleyball, softball, baseball, women's triathlon, golf, track, cross country, soccer, basketball, tennis, cheerleading and dance. Intramural sports are also offered.[15]

Highlights of Central athletics programs include:

  • 500+ All-America Awards
  • 11 NCAA Divion III Titles in Six Sports
  • 38 National Individual Championships
  • 190 Conference Team Championships
  • 80 CSC Academic ALl-American® Awards
  • 24 Conference All-Sports Titles
  • 27 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Winners

Central College's athletic teams include:[16]

Student life

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Central has over 100 clubs and activities for students. Students are also given the opportunity to create their own club recognized by the college.

Clubs and Organizations include intramural sports, mock trial, non-national Greek life, Campus Ministries and more.

There are honorary organizations for theatre, chemistry, mathematics, art, music, history, political science, psychology, English and biology.

There are also music ensembles, including A Cappella Choir, steel drum ensemble, pep band, jazz band, woodwind ensemble, community chorus and chamber singers.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b Uhlig, Mark A. (April 7, 1991). "Mexico's Leader to Defend Trade Pact in U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2011. ...Roderic A. Camp, an American expert on Mexican politics who teaches at the Central University of Iowa.
  2. ^ a b Mak, Christine; Thostenson, Josephine E. Patrick Roland (ed.). "Central College celebrates its Sesquicentennial: 1853-2003". Central College. Archived from the original on 2016-03-29. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  3. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "College Navigator - Central College".
  5. ^ "College Navigator - Central College".
  6. ^ "Higher Learning Commission". www.ncahlc.org. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  7. ^ "Central College". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  8. ^ Mak, Christine; Thostenson, Josephine E. "Central College celebrates its Sesquicentennial: 1853-2003 (2nd page)". Central College. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  9. ^ van der Zee, Jacob (2003) [1912]. "XXXIV CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF IOWA". Hollanders of Iowa. Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  10. ^ The Chronicle of higher education almanac. Vol. 44–46. The Chronicle. 1996. p. 80. Retrieved 2 June 2011. Central University of Iowa officially became Central College in 1994. The institution was chartered as a university in 1853 but came to be known informally as Central College. Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Aug 17, 2010
  11. ^ "Making the varsity green team" (Fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). New York Times Upfront. Gale Biography In Context. 16 March 2009. p. 3. Retrieved 31 May 2011. Friendly competition is helping to raise energy-awareness on college campuses. Students living in the Eco-Dorm at Central College in Pella, Iowa, can monitor each other's energy use on the school's Web site. To make sure they stay greener than their dorm mates, some even go off campus to charge their cell phones. Gale Document Number: GALE|A195980732
  12. ^ "Tulip Time in Pella".
  13. ^ "Central College – Global Sustainability". Central College. Archived from the original on 2015-06-07. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  14. ^ "Central College – Majors". Central College. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  15. ^ Information, Central. "Athletics – Central College". www.central.edu. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  16. ^ "Central College Athletics – Official Athletics Website". Central College Athletics. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  17. ^ NCAA Division III Records
  18. ^ "Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg Displays Portrait of Central President". Central College. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  19. ^ "The Philosopher Candidate". civitas.central.edu. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  20. ^ "#360 Central College – Forbes.com". Forbes.com. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2011. Harry Smith '73, co-anchor of CBS's The Early Show and former host of A & E Biography; Tom Koos '86, President and CEO of Jacuzzi Brands Corporation; Nicholas Turner '01, Marine Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1 Nighthawks, responsible for direct helicopter support for the White House, including the president, vice president, cabinet members and other VIPs.

Further reading

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