Final blood screening
Annual fall blood screening will be in the BMW Rooms of the Maytag Student Center Thursday, Nov. 16, from 6:30-9 a.m. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt or blouse.
Campus Ministries to hold famine Nov. 18-19
The Campus Ministries Justice Team is holding a 30-hour famine on campus Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 18-19. This event will raise money for World Vision as they seek justice for those who are suffering from hunger. If you would like to take part in the famine or want more information, contact Leanne Halma at halmal@central.edu.
GOLD event in Des Moines
Graduates of the Last Decade are invited to a holiday networking party at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in West Des Moines Thursday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to alumni@central.edu or click here for more information.
Reception in Merida 
Start making travel arrangements now for a reception for George Ann Huck, retired director of the Merida program, and Armando Baquiero Cardenas ’70, who received an honorary degree in May, at the Central College house in Merida, Yucatan, Sunday, Jan. 28. RSVP to alumni@central.edu.
Thanksgiving hours for library, media center
These are the Geisler Library and Media Center hours for the Thanksgiving holiday:
Wednesday, Nov. 22, Geisler Library and Media Center, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 23-25, closed
Sunday, Nov. 26, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Media Center and 5 p.m.-12 a.m., Geisler Library
Employee Spotlight - Don Efinger
Name: Don Efinger
Department: Campus Ministries
Title: Catholic Campus Ministries coordinator
About me: Raised in Rapid City, S.D.; graduated from the University of South Dakota; married to Marilyn, a retired teacher, and has one daughter Jennifer Etnyre of Pella and three grandchildren; an ordained clergy in the Catholic church (permanent deacon) for the past 18 years; founder and director of a national and international church spiritual renewal program called WATCH (We Are The Church)
Personnel Committee looking
for nominations
The Personnel Committee is soliciting nominations (including self-nomination) for promotion of those holding tenure. Description of the faculty ranks can be found on page 1 of chapter 5 of the Faculty Handbook. The performance criteria are stated in pages 4-8 of chapter 7 of the Faculty Handbook. Please note the description for promotion to professor was substantially revised last year by vote of the faculty (pages 7-8). The nominations are due to either Robert Franks (mathematics and computer science) or Marilyn Vrban (academic affairs) by Monday, Nov. 27. The committee uses the same process used for evaluation in promotion considerations. The nominated person’ s self-review material must be submitted to her/his department chair by Monday, Jan. 29, 2007.
Update for Woodward
The Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa After School Alliance asked Tilly Woodward (art) to serve on a resource committee to conduct a study of community-based arts education and enrichment programming for school age children. The study will evaluate the status of after school arts programming throughout Iowa and identify curricula and model programs that can be shared statewide. The study is by Iowa House File 2797 and has received an appropriation from the 2006 Iowa Legislature due to the efforts of Rep. Helen Miller of Fort Dodge. The City of Pella’s Art Center program was selected as one of the study’s model programs. Woodward is the founding director of the Art Center, now in its 16th year, which serves over 15,000 participants pre-K through senior citizens annually. A partnership with Central College places Art 210 students, interns and work study students at the Art Center for course work and employment.
Woodward was selected for inclusion in artist Robert Shetterly’s award winning portrait series “Americans Who Tell the Truth” in September, which features the image and words of Americans who have had exemplary impact on their communities.
Woodward and Robin Martin (library) received a certificate of appreciation for the City of Pella for advocacy to the arts, culture and history in the State of Iowa. The certificate was presented at a reception by Lt. Governor Sally Pederson in her formal office at the capitol Sept. 30.
Van Kooten in essay contest
Valerie Van Kooten’s (English) essay placed in the top five in a contest held by Iowa State University’s (ISU) study abroad office. The contest asked ISU alumni to discuss what they had learned by studying abroad. More than 200 essays were received. Van Kooten won a gift certificate good for ISU items.
Ratzlaff featured reader
Keith Ratzlaff (English) was one of the featured readers at the Mennonite’s Writing: Beyond Borders at Bluffton University Oct. 26-29. The conference highlighted Mennonite writers and academics from Japan, Canada and the United States.
Freed receives grant
Jann Freed (economics/accounting/management) received an artist grant to support publishing Daring to Be: Portraits of Mexican Women Leaders into a book and to establish a permanent collection of photographs for the state of Yucatan.
Resident directors to conference
On Oct. 25-27, the residential learning office sent Claire Anderson, Tim Bates and Scott Hendricks (all student life) to the 2006 Upper-Midwest Region Association of College and University Housing Officers Foundations of Education conference in Coralville, Iowa, hosted by University of Iowa. Conference topics consisted of leadership, education, theories of student development, judicial practices and community development.
During the conference, Hendricks presented two different topics. The first program was called “Leadership is Not a Position,” discussing different styles of leadership, while bringing awareness to the participants of the emerging style of servant leadership. This style of leadership has been formed through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The second program presented was called “Wait a Minute. Am I Breathing?” This program was designed to help professionals deal with stress and over come it. In addition, through the use of meditation practices, participants were able to become mindful and aware of everything they do whether it is walking, working, eating and even breathing.
Olivier at conference
Lowell Olivier (conference services) attended the Region 6 fall conference for the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors International Oct. 18-19 at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo.
Olivier presented a program on dining etiquette to a group of 60 students at North Iowa Area Community College. The program was in conjunction with National Career Development Month.
Joachim Kitzman at conference for women in higher education
Pat Joachim Kitzman ( Career Center) attended the 20th Way Up conference for women in higher education in Cedar Rapids Nov. 2-3. She attended sessions on strategic planning, reaching millennials, and changes in Iowa demographics.
Dahlke presents at annual conference
Bonnie Dahlke (student life) attended the National Orientation Director’s Association (NODA) annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Her presentation titled “From Practice to Paper: Articulating Leadership Skills on Your Resume” was selected as a top-5 award winner from Region V (Midwestern states and Manitoba). College/university orientation professionals from throughout the United States and Canada make up NODA membership. The organization celebrated its 59th year in 2006.
Petrie adjudicator at student auditions
Anne Petrie (music) was an adjudicator at the Iowa Chapter student auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held at the University of Northern Iowa Nov. 3-4. Petrie currently is serving a two-year term as president of the Iowa Chapter of NATS.
Central hosted student musicians
The Central College Music Department hosted the Music Teachers National Association (Iowa District) competition for student musicians Oct. 28-29. The event brought 56 of the state’s top high school and collegiate performers to campus. Mark Babcock (music) and Patrice Ewoldt (Music Connection) were among the adjudicators. Local coordination was done by Sue Odem and Carol lei Breckenridge (both music).
Huffman receives award 
Don Huffman (professor emeritus of biology) recently received the West Lake Friendship Gold Medal at a dinner for Central College President David Roe, wife Betsy, and former Central College Chinese visiting professors and friends of Central College at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. The award is given for support of Zhejiang Province’s development by serving as a visiting professor at Zhejiang University, and as an English editor, along with his wife Maxine, for the New College English textbook series currently in its second edition and used in more than 550 colleges and universities in China. Maxine Huffman (professor emerita of English) received the same award in 2000. Roe discussed the possible development of additional exchange programs with Zhejiang University and Central College students and faculty.
Harris ends stint on Fulbright committee
Michael Harris (English) served his third and final year on the peer review committee for the Fulbright Africa Regional Research Program. Along with four other former Fulbright recipients representing an array of disciplines, Harris read and evaluated 75 applications for 2007-08 research and lecturing grants to Africa. The group met in Washington, D.C., Oct. 27-28 to determine which proposals to forward to prospective host countries for further consideration. The committee approved roughly one-third of the proposals submitted.
Benedict and students at symposium during fall break
Over fall break, Russ Benedict (biology) attended the North American Symposium for Bat Research in Wilmington, N.C., joined by four Central College students Sarah Bonefas, John Bowzer, Sarah Benedict and Ryan Neuhaus. This three-day meeting was attended by 400 researchers from around the world. At the meeting, Russ and along with Bonefas and Sarah Benedict presented a poster titled “Use of Barns by Myotis sodalis and Other Bats in South-Central Iowa.” This poster also was co-authored by Ashley Hysell and Daryl Howell of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The poster describes work conducted the last two summers, where they netted a total of 47 barns and caught 1471 bats. Five different kinds of bats were caught, including the first recorded use of barns for night-roosting by the federally endangered Indiana bat ( Myotis sodalis). This research was conducted Russ and Sarah Benedict, Bonefas and Hysell, who were hired using federal and state funds.
VanHecke presents paper
JoNes VanHecke (student life) and co-author Patricia M. King presented a paper titled “Responsible Citizenship: A Study of Predictive Experiences and Values Among College Students” at the annual Association for the Study of Higher Education conference in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 1-4.
Shriver and students at chemical society meeting
James Shriver (chemistry) presented a talk titled “The Development of Phenyldiazene-substituted Calix[4]pyrroles as Colorimetric Anion Sensors: Naked-eye Detection in the Nanomolar Regime” at the 41st Midwest Regional American Chemical Society meeting in Quincy, Ill., Oct. 27. The following Central students were co-authors Adam Duerfeldt’06, Christian Grindberg ’08 and Reid Turner’08.
Kleven presents papers at meeting
Terence Kleven (philosophy and religion) presented two papers at the Northeastern Political Science Association Meeting in Boston, Mass., Nov. 9-11. The first presentation was “Logic and Political Philosophy in Alfarabi’s Commentary on Aristotle’s Categories.” The second presentation was “A Review of Christopher Colmo’s book Alfarabi as Founder: Breaking With Athens.”
Streed guest lecturer in Sweden
Esther Streed (education) was a guest lecturer at Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Her presentation titled “Providing Quality Education to All Students” was followed by an extended interactive discussion hosted by an international group on campus. As many of these students are political science majors, this segment evolved from what is happening in the states into how it came to be.
Student Learning and Development Council (SLDC)
Summary report of meeting activity (Oct. 26–Nov. 9)
The SLDC continued its discussions regarding implementation of the strategic plan. Specifically, the council further discussed how faculty and staff groups could work together on implementation efforts, and endorsed the idea of a joint sub-group of the Dean’s Council and Policy Committee as a mechanism for determining faculty involvement. In addition, the SLDC reviewed the transfer enrollment/retention/engagement initiative as both a model for implementation of a strategic planning initiative and as an effort in which SLDC members and represented constituents could be involved.
The council heard from Jim Zaffiro (political science) about the Talloires Declaration and discussed the significance and implications of Central becoming a signatory. The council supported President Roe’s signing of the declaration. Other campus governance groups will review the proposal as well.
And, as always, council members and consultants regularly presented updates from the departments and constituents they represent.
Strategic Planning Initiatives
How do we go about addressing the strategic plan implementation process?
Submitted by Vivian Rippentrop (academic affairs)
There are many strategies within the strategic plan that can be addressed through operational plans. Each department or group can ask the questions, “How do we advance the strategic plan through our work? What specific tactics can we engage to encourage growth in the strategic plan?”
Specifically, Central College Abroad is spending quality time designing and implementing plans that will yield study abroad enrollment goals for Central College. Using carefully prescribed territories with set goals from their operational plan, Central College Abroad actively employs their best personal and professional skills to achieve these goals. Although Central College Abroad does not recruit alone, it is the most active group responsible for the goals. Coaches, faculty and academic departments can help fulfill the recruitment roles very thoughtfully and intentionally.
In addition, small cross-functional work groups from around campus are joining together to do projects which advance the strategic plan. For example, there is a group of designated persons working toward initiatives related to two specific and related goals:
- integrating curricular and co-curricular programs through intentional collaboration among campus entities for the achievement of shared goals; and
- enriching the educational environment through an integrated cultural affairs program.
The group involved includes Bonnie Dahlke and Melissa Sharkey (both student life), Jann Freed (economics/accounting/management), Lyn Isaacson (academic affairs, Anne Petrie (music), Sam Watson (art), Ann Wilkinson (theatre) and Brandyn Woodard (intercultural life). This working group will:
a.) define the scope of cultural affairs programs;
b.) audit currently offered programs and discover how they are integrated on campus;
c.) assess the effectiveness of current programs;
d.) check with peer institutions to learn what they are doing well and how they are accomplishing their goals;
e.) develop a time line for the next steps.
During their work and deliberation, various consultants will be asked for input to add to the information. If you have suggestions or questions, you are encouraged to converse with any of the working group.
Students Doing Interesting Things
No news.
Erica Martin joined facilities planning and management as lead custodian.
Tina Hayes joined dining services as a cook.
Kelly Kowzan was promoted to assistant director of Upward Bound. She was an Upward Bound academic coordinator since joining Central in 2001.
Nicole Kalkwarf was promoted to assistant director of Educational Talent Search (ETS). She had been an ETS events coordinator and an academic success coordinator. She was hired in 2003 as an ETS coordinator.
Rachel Fleming was named to the library’s tenure track position as assistant professor of library science and collection development librarian. She joined Central in July as visiting librarian.
No news.
Upcoming holidays
The campus will be closed the following days for the holidays:
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 23-24;
Friday, Dec. 22 (close at noon);
Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2.
Staff Christmas banquet is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14. Please reserve this date on your calendars.
W-4s
Certain circumstances require the filing of new W-4 forms. If the number of allowances an employee can claim decreases, a new W-4 must be filed within 10 days of the event. Such cases would be: divorce, death of a spouse or fewer dependents. A name change also requires a new W-4. An employee may, but is not required to, file a new W-4 if the number of allowances he or she can claim increases. If you have questions, or wish to request a new W-4 form, please call the payroll office at ext. 5161.
Support staff paycheck info
The paycheck during Thanksgiving break will be administered as follows: direct deposits will be Friday, Nov. 24. For those not enrolled in direct deposit, checks will be mailed Friday, Nov. 24.
Administrative staff payroll
The administrative payroll for December will be processed early. Administrative staff will be paid Monday, Dec. 18.
Safety Committee News
Safety idea suggestions boxes are available for staff and/or students to use. The boxes are located in five different areas on campus.
- facilities planning and management shop
- lower level of Central Hall next to the candy machine
- Vermeer Science Center in the reading room on the first floor
- dining services
- warehouse
The committee encourages everyone to make use of these boxes by putting in their suggestions. Boxes will be checked on a monthly basis.
Health Insurance
If you are interested in the Health Savings Account (HAS) option offered by the college, you need to attend a meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15, at either 9 or 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. in the lower chapel. Flexible spending and dental enrollment for 2007 is due by Thursday, Nov. 30. Information was sent via e-mail.
Open Positions
Administrative Staff Openings
Assistant director, technical services, financial aid office
Educational Talent Search/Upward Bound coordinator
Educational Talent Search coordinator
Support Staff Openings
Please click on the position that interests you to see a detailed description. If you would like to download an application, click here or visit the college Web site at www.central.edu for more information.
Central College is strongly committed to creating a diverse community. In furtherance of that commitment, the college encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, under represented groups and/or those who have had experience working with and/or interacting with individuals from diverse populations to apply. Central College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.