Central College (Iowa)

Central College
Established	1853 (1853)
Type	four year, independent
Religious affiliation	Reformed Church in America
Endowment	US$63.1 million
President	Dr. Mark Putnam
Academic staff	89 full-time faculty members, 91% Ph.D.
Students	1,650
Location	Pella, Iowa, United States 41°24′01″N 92°55′07″W / 41.400204°N 92.918556°W / 41.400204; -92.918556Coordinates: 41°24′01″N 92°55′07″W / 41.400204°N 92.918556°W / 41.400204; -92.918556
Campus	small town, 130 acres (53 ha)
Former names	Central University of Iowa
Colors	Red & White
Sports	NCAA Division III, 17 varsity teams
Nickname	Dutch
Affiliations	Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Website	www.central.edu
[1][2][3][4]

Central College is a private liberal arts college located in Pella, Iowa. It is a four-year school affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Central has a student body of approximately 1,600 undergraduates and a 130 acres (53 ha) main campus. The college is noted for its study abroad program.^[5]

History

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.^[1][6][7]

The college was called Central University of Iowa (CUI), at least until 1991.^[4] It renamed itself "Central College" in 1994.^[8]

It is home to local radio station 89.1 KCUI-FM.

Central has a history of interesting architectural features. The first buildings of the new college in 1853 are 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.^[9] The main feature of the campus is a pond^{[citation needed]} in the center of campus. Central is also one of few schools with a public history major^{[citation needed]}, and part of this focuses on architecture history^{[citation needed]}.

Notable alumni

• Bernadette Allen, former United States Ambassador to Niger
• Judy Muyskens, provost of Nebraska Wesleyan University
• Steve Bell (anchorman), television reporter and anchor
• Vern Den Herder, defensive end who was part of the Miami Dolphins' "No Name Defense" that won 2 consecutive Super Bowls, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
• Harry Smith (television), (1973) television reporter^[10]
• Jack Lindine, film and stage actor
• Curt Zuber, Group Treasurer of Westpac Banking Corporation - one of the largest banks in the world
• Larry Happel, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame member

Areas of study:^[11]

Central offers majors in the following areas of study:

Athletics

Central College playing football against Simpson College on October 9, 2010.

Central College's athletic teams include:

• Baseball
• Basketball (Men's and Women's)
• Cross country (Men's and Women's)
• Football (one of two DIII schools, other being St. John's University(MN), that has been in top 25 in wins each of the last 3 decades)^[12]
• Golf (Men's and Women's)
• Soccer (Men's and Women's)
• Softball
• Tennis (Men's and Women's)
• Track and field (Men's and Women's)
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
• Central College also offers Cheerleading and the Central College Dance Team who won two first place titles at the 2008 ISDTA Competition at Veterans Memorial in Des Moines.

The athletics facility is housed within the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.

Study abroad programs

Central College students can study abroad in nine locations:

• Vienna, Austria
• Hangzhou, China
• London, England
• Paris, France
• Accra, Ghana (Central's newest program, announced in October 2009)
• Merida, Mexico
• Leiden, the Netherlands
• Granada, Spain
• Bangor, Wales

Greek life

Central is currently home to eight local fraternities and sororities. All of them participate in Central's "Greek Council" in which at least two representatives from each group meet to discuss issues pertaining to Greek life (such as pledging and housing), and plan campus-wide activities and service projects.

All of Central's Greek organizations are local and have no chapters at other colleges.

Central College has a policy of "deferred recruitment" regarding Greek organizations; first-year students must be enrolled for at least one semester before they are allowed to pledge.

Beta Kappa Epsilon

Beta Kappa Epsilon (ΒΚΕ) is Central's oldest fraternity and was founded in 1947. It was recently brought back to life in the 2010-2011 school year. Both the group and its members are usually referred to as "the Beakes".

Phi Delta Tau

Phi Delta Tau (ΦΔΤ) which stands for Brotherhood Power and Honor became Central's second fraternity in 1961. Their colors are yellow and gold and its members are referred to as "Phi Delts" and they have traditionally hosted the annual gallon challenge (milk) and also the King of Hearts Dance every Valentine's Day. They have a rich tradition with many faculty members once being active Phi Delts in their day.

Theta Kappa Alpha

Theta Kappa Alpha (ΘΚA) was the third fraternity to be founded at Central in 1967. Commonly known as the "Thetas," the fraternity prides itself on its longstanding principles of service, academic excellence, and unity through diversity. The members of Theta Kappa Alpha host Central's annual Lemming Race (see "Traditions") as well as the root-beer kegger on is island.

Sigma Phi Omega

Sigma Phi Omega (ΣΦΩ) became Central's first sorority in 1969. The Sigmas are best known for their work with the blood drives that are brought to campus each semester by the Blood Center of Iowa. They help with advertising, recruiting donors, and assisting at the donation site.

Alpha Delta Epsilon

Alpha Delta Epsilon sorority (AΔЕ) was founded in 1971. The sorority's motto is "Sisterhood, Sincerity, and Service to All." The Alpha Delts are best known for philanthropic events such as the Rave 2 Save, a "glow dance" whose proceeds go to a designated charity.

Alpha Zeta Chi

Alpha Zeta Chi (AZX) was founded as an all-male fraternity in 1988, on the principles of looking beyond people's differences and respecting each individual's dignity, and with the goal of improving the social climate at Central College. In 1998, AZX began accepting female members, thus becoming Central's first co-ed fraternity. Furthermore, Alpha Zeta Chi does not deny membership on the basis of race, color, creed, nationality, physical ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. They are known for hosting the "Virgin Mixer" every fall at which students can mingle and enjoy non-alcoholic ("virgin") drinks.

Zeta Upsilon

Zeta Upsilon (ZY) is a sorority that was founded in 1995 and established in 1996. They are the second youngest sorority on campus. They have been known for having a fall dinner at their house, and a spring semester tug-o-war on study day.

Psi Sigma Tau

Psi Sigma Tau (ΨΣΤ) is Central's newest group, having been tentatively approved by Greek Council in the spring of 2006. It is the first group to be founded as a co-ed fraternity.

References

External links

• Central College official website
• Central College official athletics website