Second annual Central Chili Cook Off March 24 
The second annual Central Chili Cook Off will be Monday, March 24, at 11:45 a.m. in Grand Central Station. Judging begins at noon. One gallon of chili is required for entering. There’s also a need for everyone who likes to eat chili. The event is sponsored by Support Staff Advisory Council and dining services. To enter or with questions, call or e-mail Mary Robertson (SSS) ext. 5349 or Lana Goodrich (Geisler Library) ext. 5219.
AAC March 28-29
The Alumni Advisory Council will be on campus March 28-29. The council will hear from current students Scott Paja ’08, Josh Smith ’08, Mary Swanson ’08, Abby Schwennen ’09 and Peter Fegley ’11.
Littleton, Colo.
Alumni, parents, friends and guests are invited to a social evening at the home of Dwight ’53 and Elfi Smith in Littleton, Colo., Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. RSVP to the alumni office by Wednesday, March 26, by e-mailing alumni@central.edu.
Health Fair April 3
The campus-wide health fair Springfest 2008 will be Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Maytag Student Center. Top door prizes are two iPod Nanos. Blood screening with a diagnostic profile with complete blood count is $30 from 9 a.m.-noon, and Prostate Specific Antigen is $23 from 9 a.m.-noon; all other stations are free. The health fair features Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of Iowa, Iowa Dermatology Dermascan, nutrition, dining services, physical fitness profiles, body composition testing, dental hygiene and more. Hourly staff receives one hour release during working hours in order to attend. Call health services at ext. 5227 with questions.
GOLD at Iowa Stars game April 4
Join Central College GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) for an evening of Iowa Stars hockey at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Friday, April 4. Cost is $10 per person and includes ticket, hot dog, chips and pop before the game. Payment in advance is required. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. RSVP to the alumni office by Friday, March 28, by e-mailing alumni@central.edu.
Parents’ council April 5
Parents’ council will meet Saturday, April 5. Mike Lubberden (facilities planning and management) will present the campus master plan and discuss current renovations taking place on campus. Phil George (education) will talk about academic advising. Susan Canfield (advancement) will review graduation and Homecoming/Family Weekend information. Student panel members are Trenton Blythe ’08 of Williamsburg and Peter Fegley ’11 of Cedar Falls.
Student job fair April 8
Student employment paradise job fair will be Tuesday, April 8, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Maytag Student Center. If you have not signed up to participate, please contact Beth Andersen (human resources) at ext. 7681.
National Student Employment Week is April 14-18.
Malawi Valentine's Day dinner fundraiser
Campus ministries and the group of students going on a mission trip to Malawi, Africa, in May would like to thank all who supported the Valentine’s Day dinner fundraiser in any way. The dinner was a great success, raising almost $1,700 that will be used to help build a kitchen in an AIDS orphanage in Malawi.
Angel Tree night in Des Moines
Campus ministries ACTION team planned and carried out another great fun night for Angel Tree kids at Meredith Drive Church in Des Moines Feb. 29. These children have at least one parent in prison, and many come from very broken homes. About 30 college students shared a meal, played games, assisted with crafts and prayed with the children throughout the evening.
Library and media center spring break hours
Geisler Library and the media center will be open Monday-Thursday, March 17-20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be closed Friday-Sunday, March 22-24. Both will open Monday, March 24, at 1 p.m. and resume regular hours Tuesday, March 25.
KAC closed over spring break
The Kuyper Athletic Complex will be closed during spring break. It will open Tuesday, March 25, at 6 a.m.
Bookstore spring break hours
The bookstore will be closed Wednesday, March 19, Friday-Saturday, March 21-22. It will be open from 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 20.
Employee Spotlight - Cyndi Boertje
Name: Cyndi Boertje
Department:Center for Academic Excellence and Student Support Services
Title: Tutor and technology coordinator
About me: Graduated from Northwestern College; married to Bruce and have three children: Rachel (16), Jessica (14) and Nathan (11); in survival mode with two driving-age teenage daughters and a junior high son; enjoys the latest gadets and tries to escape with biking or snowshoeing, depending on the season.
Huffman’s second edition of mushroom book out
The second edition of Mushrooms and Other Fungi of the Midcontinental of the United States by Don Huffman, professor emeritus of biology, and three colleagues from Iowa State University was published by the University of Iowa Press and now is available in bookstores regionally.
Freed volunteers at seminar
March 6, Jann Freed (economics/accounting/business management) volunteered at a leadership seminar for a group of daycare directors as part of the Women’s Leadership Connection through United Way of Central Iowa.
Cannon presents paper
Walter Cannon (English) presented a paper titled Original Practices for staging early modern drama at the annual Shakespeare Association of America in Dallas, Texas, March 12-16.
Vander Veen third in cooking competition
Kayleen Vander Veen (dining services) won a bronze medal competing against 10 chefs from universities such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Purdue University and Ball State University at the Midwest Culinary Challenge. Her dish was Hazelnut Encrusted Sea Bass with Lobster Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Vegetables. The contest was part of a three-day National Association of College and University Food Services regional conference at Purdue University.
Strategic Planning Initiatives
No news.
Students Doing Interesting Things
Boeke receives scholarship
Rachel Boeke ’09 was the recipient of an Iowa Athletic Trainers Society undergraduate scholarship.
Upward Bound tutor-counselors announced
The following Central students were hired to be Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math and Science tutor-counselors June 1-July 18.
Upward Bound — seniors: Tyler Cordts, Joel Druvenga, Jordan Edgerly, Kelly Eysink, Amanda Roling; juniors: Venice Chan, Curtis Johnson, Megan Swingen, Chantelle Wilson; sophomores: Laura Braun, Allyse Vander Plaats and Christopher Williams.
Upward Bound Math and Science — senior: Lisa Patty; juniors: Cara Brammer, Stephen Cain, Caitlin O’Connor, Lori Ruby; sophomore: Chris Heffling.
Renee Pope (dining services) is no longer an employee.
No news.
We extend sympathy to Dick (exercise science) and Barb Bowzer (business office) on the passing of Barb’s father Leo Peck of Michigan March 9.
We extend sympathy to Sheryl Kamerick (controller) on the passing of her father Donald Meyer of Pella.
Holiday March 21
The college is closed Friday, March 21. Remember you can view the holidays and pay schedule on the HR portal at https://my.central.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp. Log in and click on the infocentral tab at the top of the screen.
Open Positions
To review general 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, March 28.