Trip to Holland
Support Central football and head to Holland, Mich., as the Dutch take on the Hope College Flying Dutchmen Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. A Central bus will leave at 6 a.m. for the game and a tailgate starts at 5 p.m. The bus will depart Sunday, Sept. 9, in the morning. Cost for the weekend which includes transportation on a charter bus, the tailgater meal, game ticket and lodging Saturday evening is $175 for one person or $250 if sharing a room. Cost for the tailgater only is $7. RSVP to the alumni office TODAY by noon at ext. 5154 or alumni@central.edu.
Mark your calendars!
Homecoming/Family Weekend is Friday-Sunday, Sept. 28-30. For a schedule, go to www.central.edu/homecoming.
Iowa Private College Week
Central College was one of 29 Iowa private colleges and universities to participate in Iowa Private College Week Aug. 6-10. This year, Central hosted over 470 students and their families from across Iowa and the Midwest. Central has been one of the top visit sites during Iowa Private College Week the past four years.
Iowa Private College Week, sponsored by the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU), provides prospective students and their families a special week-long opportunity to visit nonprofit, private college campuses and learn more about the college search process. During Iowa Private College Week, each campus conducts tours and holds free information sessions on financial aid twice a day.
Welcome week 
Current students, SOS leaders, alumni, friends, faculty and staff all helped students and their families during move-in day(s) the weekend of Aug. 18-19.
RCA College Sunday
The Reformed Church in America has a tremendous resource to help nurture the on-going faith formation of our young people — its three colleges, Central College in Pella, Iowa; Hope College in Holland, Michigan; and Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. The RCA designates one Sunday every year to recognize and provide support for these three educational institutions. This year is Oct.14. For more information, go to www.rca.org and click on the RCA College Sunday link on the right-hand side.
Eco-logo on the lawn
Central’s eco-logo photo shoot was a way to raise awareness of Central’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The idea was developed from the office of student life, facilities planning and management and the Campus Sustainability Work Group. Participants may pick up their recycled content eco-logo frisbee at the SAC office in Maytag Student Center.
Employee Spotlight -
Chris McConville
Name: Chris McConville
Department: Education
Title: Office manager
About me: Graduated from the University of Minnesota–Mankato. Married to husband, Owen, and have four children, two who are Central grads (Megan and Nick), andthree grandchildren. Hobbies include being home with family and gardening.
Patzia published in encyclopedia of philosophy
Michael Patzia (philosophy) recently published an article titled “Anaxagoras” in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Haustein featured on Encyclopedia of Earth
Cathy Haustein (chemistry) had work featured on the home page of Encyclopedia of Earth at www.eoearth.org.
Ratzlaff’s work on poetry Web site
Keith Ratzlaff (English) had a poem titled “Pursuit” featured on the Poetry Daily Web site Aug. 22.
Viesselman published
Chris Viesselman (exercise science) authored and co-authored articles in the magazine of FarmHouse Fraternity’s spring issue.
Chia Ning keynote speaker in China
Chia Ning (history) was invited to be the keynote speaker at The Symposium on the Study of the Northeastern Frontier of China, The Center for Northeast Studies, Dalian University, Liaoning Province, China, June 25-28. Her speech titled “The Manchu Studies in the United States,” will be published as a book chapter by Dalian University later this year.
July 5, Chia Ning gave a presentation titled “The New Qing History in the United States” at the Institute of Social History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, China.
She also attended a faculty development workshop at The College of Chinese Language and Culture of Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, July 29-Aug. 12.
Goodman at MathFest
Russ Goodman (mathematics) attended the Mathematical Association of America’s summer MathFest conference in San Jose, Calif., Aug. 2-5. At the conference, he gave a presentation titled “Using Oral Exams to Help Prepare Future Elementary Teachers.” The talk was based on an article he wrote that recently was published on the topic.
Goodman also served as an invited panelist on a discussion titled “Technically Speaking: Fostering the Communication Skills of Mathematics Students.” He was able to disseminate information about the objectives and logistics and effectiveness of the mathematics/computer science department’s junior/senior seminars.
He also served as a judge by evaluating a session of undergraduate research presentations.
Reimer at retreat
Treva Reimer (academic affairs) attended the Commissioner’s Retreat for the United States Institute of Theatre Technology in Houston Aug. 3-5. The retreat work included planning for the on-going work of the commissions and for the 50th anniversary year of the Institute. Treva is vice-chair for programming for the International Committee.
Wilkinson received award from governor
Ann Wilkinson (theatre) is one of more than 600 volunteers to be honored during the 24th annual Governor’s Volunteer Award presentation ceremonies. This award from the state recognizes volunteers who are changing the world.
Laine to speak at business forum
Linda Laine (communication studies) will speak at the Pella Professional Business Women’s Forum Thursday, Sept. 13, on “Understanding Cultural Differences.”
Webber’s book published
University of Iowa Press has agreed to publish a second, revised edition of Phil Webber’s (German) Kolonie-Deutsch: Life and Language in Amana.
Stark presents at conference
Mary Stark (Enlgish) presented an interdisciplinary PowerPoint presentation (co-authored with biologist Stephen Johnson) titled “Literature and Reality of Barrier Islands” at the June 2007 conference of The Association for the Study of Literature and Environment held in Spartanburg, S.C.
Enrollment and Financial Support Council module is located on myCentral.
Strategic Planning Initiatives
By Vivian Rippentrop (institutional planning)
In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy last spring, all campuses around the United States are putting plans in place to deal with the potential of natural disasters or other crises. Central administration also is addressing safety issues on campus through actively refining and updating the emergency action plan.
The plan provides basic emergency procedures designed to protect lives and property through effective use of campus and community resources. The procedures within the plan are realistic approaches to the problems likely to be encountered on campus during a major emergency or disaster. The plan will be distributed, studied by employees and students, and training programs will follow so the plan can be thoroughly implemented to protect the lives and safety of employees and students. Watch for opportunities to learn more about Central’s emergency action plan and become prepared to provide safety in times of crises.
Year two is prepared following careful review of the outcomes of year one. Many initiatives were completed during the first year of the three-year strategic plan which moved the college forward to achieve the four major goals:
1. Enhance academic quality;
2. Advance a purposeful co-curricular residential community;
3. Encourage a welcoming, fiscally responsive, learning community;
4. Create a culture of shared values.
Accomplishments of the both years of the plan are outlined in the report every employee may access on Content Collection. Content Collection has documents which give large amount of information. To access Content Collection go to:
myCentral; Content Collection; Central’s Content; Quality and Strategic Planning; Internal; Strategic Plan Brochure 2007.
Comment card summary
The comment card process was introduced in January 2007 to provide opportunities to give feedback to Central College. During the first seven months, 59 comments were registered through the official system. Of the 59 comment cards, 36 came from students, 7 from faculty, 4 from staff, 2 others and 9 unknowns. Twenty-nine were anonymous so information could not be directed back to the writer of the comment.
Categories of the concerns were as follows:
Facilities planning and management: 13 comments, 3 related to safety, otherwise random.
Internal personnel issues: 13 comments, 2 compliments.
Student policies: 13 comments, primarily regarding housing and keys.
Food: 10 comments and suggestions for the Café and GSC.
Philosophical differences and concerns: 7 comments of varied nature.
There were no significant trends detected in the comments, and most issues identified a unique concern or circumstance at the moment such as non-working item or ice on a particular location.
It is important we continue to listen to the voices of students, family members and employees. Most comment card writers received a note or e-mail from and administrator regarding the comment and a college response to the concern.
Students Doing Interesting Things
Hansen selected to teach in Austria
Recent Central College graduate Brittney Hansen of Indianola is one of 145 students nationwide who will be U.S. foreign language teaching assistants at Austrian Secondary Schools, a program administrated by the Fulbright Commission in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Education, the Arts and Culture.
The Fulbright Commission assists the Austrian Ministry of Education with the management of its U.S. Teaching Assistant Program, in which U.S. college and university graduates work in Austrian secondary schools as teaching assistants for eight months of the school year.
Funded primarily by direct contributions from U.S. and Austria governments, the Fulbright Program provides grants for U.S. citizens, who are recent graduates and graduate students or scholars and professionals, to study, teach, or pursue research in Austria and for Austrian citizens to engage in similar activities in the United States.
Hansen will teach English at Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau, a specialized institute for higher education that focuses on fruit and wine farming.
Hansen departs for Vienna Monday, Sept. 17, and starts teaching Monday, Oct. 1. She will teach through Friday, May 30.
Hansen graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and German studies. She had applied for other jobs following graduation, but when she found out she had been accepted into the program, she decided this was something she wanted to do.
Shawn Calzaretta joined facilities planning and management as a custodian.
Colin Kuchy joined athletics as assistant men’s soccer coach.
Janet Marlin joined facilities planning and management as a custodian.
Mark Norris joined admission office as an admission counselor working primarily with students from northeast Iowa.
Chris Pierson joined athletics head women’s golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach.
Jenna Stalzer joined dining services as student staffing supervisor.
Jennifer Stewart ’04 joined Central College Abroad as a territory representative.
Brandon Townsend joined athletics as assistant baseball coach.
Beth Wood joined the controller’s office as director of accounts receivable and loans.
Jason Zastrow joined athletics as assistant wrestling coach.
New faculty
Jeffrey Bass, assistant professor of anthropology
Alida Droppert, assistant professor of education
Kathleen Korchek, instructor of Spanish
Eric Ladner, assistant professor of Spanish
John Nielsen, musical arts associate/instructor of music
Corina Petrescu, visiting assistant professor of German
Oscar Reynaga, modern languages associate/instructor of Spanish
Zhou Songbo, visiting Chinese scholar
Soo Yun Uhm, assistant professor of psychology
Melissa Sharkey (student life) has been promoted to assistant director of residential learning and resident director of Gaass Hall.
Tenure-track promotions
Mathew Kelly, assistant professor of art
Mitchell Lutch, instructor of music/director of bands
Jodee Schaben, assistant professor of exercise science
We extend our sympathy to Ann Fischer (career center) in the passing of her mother July 24.
Congratulations to Joyce Vos (admission) on the birth of a new granddaughter Amaia Joy July 31.
Congratulations to Craig Roose (facilities planning and management) and his wife Sarah on the birth of their daughter Ciera Aug. 2. She was 7 lbs. 2oz and 19 inches long.
Congratulations to Wendy Weber and Tom Linton (both mathematics) on the birth of their son Jonathan James Aug. 18.
Our thoughts are with Renee Bastas (dining services) and her family as her daughter Demetra and son-in-law Paul Mormino leave for Kuwait Sept. 16-22 and again Dec. 16-21. Demetra and Paul are in the army band and were invited to entertain troops in Kuwait.
Congratulations to Dick and Ronda Redman (library) on the birth of a new granddaughter Evalyn Clair Aug. 23. Parents are Shannon ’00 and Jeanna Redman Hoekstra ’01.
2007 holiday schedule
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 22-23, Thanksgiving
Monday-Friday, Dec. 24-28, Christmas
Tuesday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day
Upcoming event
TIAA-CREF seminars and one-on-one counseling sessions will be Wednesday, Oct. 24, and Thursday, Oct. 25. The seminars will be 9-10 a.m. in the Boat/Moore Rooms of Maytag. The one-on-one counseling sessions will be in the Hinga Room of Maytag from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on both days. To schedule your one-on-one counseling session, please visit www.tiaa-cref.org/moc.
Tuition Exchange
The Tuition Exchange (TE) program provides the opportunity for eligible dependents of faculty and staff to receive undergraduate scholarships at one of the participating member institutions. A list of about 546 colleges and universities that participate in the TE program can be found on the TE Web page www.tuitionexchange.org. Applications for new and returning dependents for the TE program must be submitted to human resources by Thursday, Nov. 1, for the 2008-09 school year. In addition to the application form, you will also need to submit a copy of your most recent tax return showing verification of dependent status. Once you get your 2007 tax return completed, you will need to submit the dependent status information from that. TE eligibility is limited to full-time employees and may be limited based on point criteria established by the college in 2003.
Tuition Reduction
Tuition Reduction benefits are available for spouses and dependent children commencing in the academic period following two years of continuous employment for a full-time employee, or 3,328 accumulated hours for other than full-time employment.If you are an employee of the college, you receive this benefit immediately upon employment.The form to submit for Tuition Reduction can be found on the HR Web site at www.central.edu/humanresources. Please submit this form for new and returning students to human resources by Thursday, Nov. 1, for the 2008-09 school year. In addition to the application form, you will also need to submit a copy of your most recent tax return showing verification of dependent status. Once you get your 2007 tax return completed, you will need to submit the dependent status information from that.
Open Positions
To review open positions and download an application click here or visit the college Web site at www.central.edu and select job seekers on the home page drop-down menu 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.
News items should be submitted to Abby Gonzales by noon Friday, Sept. 14.