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Central College SUMMER 2013 Civitas ON THE JOB Four alums dreaming big DUTCH SPIRIT Homecoming past and present 2013 CENTRAL HOMECOMING & familyBROCHURE weekend INSIDE c president’s corner d The Power of Experience by Mark Putnam, Central College president form of formalized instruction most often expressed in apprenticeships, internships, residencies and practica. In the literature of teaching and learning, these are most commonly referred to as communities of practice. Learning in a practice setting animates the process of knowledge acquisition through demonstration and application. Sometimes we think of this as “hands-on” learning, real- world experience or professional skill development. Whatever form it takes, experiential learning is incredibly powerful and ideally it should be present through the whole of life. For students at Central, there is a President Mark Putnam encourages rich heritage of experiential learning students and alumni to engage and manifested in longstanding commitments learn by experience. to internships, service learning, study Photo byPaul O’Mara abroad, undergraduate research, athletics, music ensembles, theater productions and art of the richness of human the course of life we become increasingly work in professional settings. If we step experience is we all seem to order independent in our learning, though back and think of ourselves as lifelong Pthe world in different ways. I we accomplish this at different levels learners on a journey from more heavily suppose for some this is a great source of and at different rates. The challenge for dependent learning to highly independent frustration, particularly those who have educators, therefore, is providing a system learning, we see we need to embrace strong views about what is important of learning opportunities that are sturdy learning in all its forms. Each of us can and how important things should be and durable, yet flexible and adaptable. craft our own learning in a customized way accomplished. For me, the ambiguity of Some of us bristle at the rigidities of that best fits our needs. In this way, we society is a great source of fascination as settings that are more about containment learn how to learn. I observe others in thought and action as and conformity. Others rely on those The power of the Central College we participate in the shared experience of structures as a sure platform for success. A experience for current students and for work and play. few could be turned loose in the world and our alumni is rooted in the desire to The texture of learning also varies a would naturally absorb all there is to learn always learn by accumulating knowledge, great deal. While there are some patterns organically, while others find interpretive skill and experience in a never-ending to what constitutes effective teaching frameworks, categories and theories to be journey of discovery about ourselves and and learning environments, many of us essential. the world. Our invitation is to be an find we learn best in certain settings and One of the learning environments engaged learner wherever you are and under certain conditions. Early in life we all seem to find beneficial, however, stretch in new ways through the power of we tend to be highly dependent learners, is a setting in which we practice what experience. relying on the instructional designs of we are learning. Experiential learning parents and teachers. Gradually through is not new. In fact, it is really the oldest Read more of Mark Putnam’s writings in President’s Corner at civitas.central.edu. CIVITAS.CENTRAL.EDU 641.628.9000 Central College Civitas 8 EDITORS Chelsea Toppin ’12 Rachel Vogel Quinn SPORTS EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS Larry Happel ’81 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Godwin STUDENT DESIGNER Bre Reisburg Homecoming is full of Dutch spirit and EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Central traditions, and Central looks forward Mary Benedict to welcoming you home for Homecoming and Lisa Thurman Fyfe ’87 Family Weekend, Sept. 27-29. Connie Aalbers Marlow ’76 Lynne Petty Peggy Johnson Van Den Berg ’83 summer 2013 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Kathy Cashen Thompson ’89 COMMUNICATIONS BRAND • on the cover • AND PROJECT MANAGER contents Steffanie Bonnstetter CENTRAL LEMMING RACE 2012 • features • Civitas is published quarterly by the 6 BOARD OF TRUSTEE TRANSITIONS Central communications office for alumni, parents and friends of Central Central welcomes five new board College. For information on the Civitas members mission, visit civitas.central.edu. 8 TALE OF HOMECOMINGS PAST Civitas (USPS 096-840) is published by Show off your Dutch pride Central College, 812 University, Pella, IA 50219-1999. Periodicals postage paid 12 THE CENTRAL FAMILY THAT READS at Pella, Iowa, and additional offices. TOGETHER One book changed the course of Josh Learn about Central’s common Postmaster: send address changes (PS Dolezal’s career. reading book 10 3579) to Civitas, 812 University, Pella, IA 50219-1999. Address changes also may be sent to [email protected]. 16 HIGH ACHIEVERS OF GENERATION X Four alums soaring high 20 HOMECOMING AND FAMILY 2013 CENTRAL WEEKEND Production notes: Join us Sept. 27-29 HOMECOMING Corniche is elemental chlorine free (EFC). Civitas is printed with a soybean-based ink • departments • & family weekend by Town Crier, Pella, Iowa. 2 Around the Pond SEPT. 27-29 CIVITAS.CENTRAL.EDU 4 Athletics Updates 641.628.9000 21 Alumni Newsnotes 20 29 Parting Shot AROUND THE POND Generous Donors In honor of alumni and friends of Central College, three gathering spaces on campus have been officially dedicated to celebrate significant contributions to the college. Melinda Vermeer Papadeas, Nancy Vermeer, Michael Vermeer and Luann Vermeer De Haan stand with their mother Bernice ’50 at the dedication ceremony. Photo by Linda Stelter VERMEER BANQUET HALL Harry served in the Army for two years spouses, and her six great-grandchildren. The newly renovated Graham during the Korean War, then returned to Bernice enjoys concerts, plays and other Conference Center has been the center Pella to join his brother Gary at Vermeer community activities. of community events, hosting countless Manufacturing, which Gary founded dinners, conferences, speakers and in 1948. Harry was part-owner of the SUTPHEN COMMON ROOM weddings. The banquet hall is now named internationally successful company until The Dave ’61 and Ardie Pals ’64 the Harry and Bernice ’50 Vermeer he passed away in 2006. Sutphen Common Room, the meeting Banquet Hall. Harry and Bernice contributed room in the Graham Annex, was named Bernice attended Calvin College for a significant gift to Central toward in May. Ardie served the college as the one year before coming to Central to the banquet hall renovation. Bernice assistant to the president for the majority finish her two-year teaching degree. She continues to cherish her family, which of her 33 years at Central, retiring last taught for two years and then joined her consists of her four children and their August. Dave began working at Central husband at his military base in Alabama. spouses, her nine grandchildren and their in 2000 and retired as the vice president 2 CIVITAS.CENTRAL.EDU of advancement in April, but continues Center for Green Schools and focuses GABRIEL ESPINOSA ’79 as an advisor to the president/fundraising solely on colleges that have demonstrated PRESENTS CELEBRANDO AT intiatives. a strong commitment to the environment LINCOLN CENTER With support from the numerous and sustainability. On July 15, Gabriel Espinosa ’79, faculty and staff present for the surprise “This national recognition—which associate professor of music, performed announcement, President Mark Putnam takes into account many aspects of our with Hendrik Meurkens at Dizzy’s Coca- thanked the Sutphens for their dedication commitment to campus sustainability, but Cola in Lincoln Center in New York City. to the college. even more importantly, cites our national They performed music from their 2012 CD “What we are celebrating is an leadership in incorporating sustainability “Celebrando,” a tribute to Brazilian music. important legacy,” Putnam said. “Dave and education across our curriculum as a As bassist and vocalist, Espinosa has been Generous Donors Ardie are people who define an era and graduation core requirement and in the looking forward to playing the New York they are people who are uniquely Central form of our new interdisciplinary minor release of Celebrando since last year. College.” in global sustainability—is a strong vote “We didn’t want to perform at just any of confidence in a key aspect of our place in New York,” Espinosa says. “We BRUNSTING FIRESIDE LOUNGE institutional mission and goals,” said Jim wanted to perform in Lincoln Center, so In honor of long-time communication Zaffiro, professor of political science. we have been waiting to get into Dizzy’s faculty member Bette Brunsting ‘56 the All Central students must complete Coca-Cola since it is the jazz club.” Graham Hall fireside lounge has been a global sustainability core curriculum Espinosa and Meurkens were joined by the named the Brunsting Fireside Lounge. requirement, and a global sustainability rest of the recording band for the evening: Brunsting followed two sisters to minor was recently added. Central is also Meurkens, harmonica; Misha Tsiganov, Central, Evelyn Kuyk ’47 and Joyce home to Iowa’s first Leadership in Energy piano; Alison Wedding, vocals and Vander Well ’50. She graduated with a and Environmental Design (LEED) silver Adriano Santos, drums. degree in speech theatre and later earned building, the Vermeer Science Center, and “It’s always exciting to play in New a master’s degree from Northwestern added a gold-certified residence hall. In York,” says Espinosa. “And being able to University (Ill.) before returning to 2009, the Roe Center received a platinum perform at Lincoln Center is a highlight of Central as the dean of women in 1964. LEED rating. my career. It closes the circle of my music Three years later, Brunsting joined the “Sustainability remains a core value life—I love to teach, but I also love to communication department and worked at of the college and a signature initiative perform, especially my own music.