LIVING HISTORY Barloon captures the spirit of American history DUTCH AROUND THE WORLD WINTER 2014 Students reflect on their experience abroad CivitasCENTRAL COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE [INSIDE ] CENTRAL’S TEACHER ACADEMY c president’s corner d CivitasCentral College 16 EDITOR Chelsea Grieger Toppin ’12 SPORTS EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS Academic Excellence in Action Larry Happel ’81 by Mark Putnam, Central College president GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Godwin but the use of these spaces is different these Kyle Maynard ’14, Dan days. There is important information, EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Peacock ’13 and Dillon interpretation, context and perspective Mary Benedict Thornbury ’14 in Ronda, Spain, on an excursion while for well-prepared members of the faculty Lisa Thurman Fyfe ’87 Connie Aalbers Marlow ’76 studying in Granada, Spain, to convey and clarify. There are also skill with Central College Abroad. Lynne Petty sets to be learned that lay the foundation Peggy Johnson Van Den Berg ’83 for professional practice. We further know effective learning must be coordinated and DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS winter 2014 facilitated in ways that are fitting to each Kathy Cashen Thompson ’87 academic discipline and field of study. Yet we find that effective learning also has COMMUNICATIONS BRAND AND PROJECT MANAGER many partners and draws on many resources Steffanie Bonnstetter outside the college, as well. contents • on the cover • One of the great privileges of my role THE CENTRAL TEACHER ACADEMY is to see students demonstrating their Civitas is published quarterly by the Annie Wignall Foskett ’10, former Central College students aren’t just Central communications office for learning in all kinds of settings. From time Central Teacher Academy student, 12 learning in the classroom—they are alumni, parents and friends of Central to time I am interviewed by a student works with Bodie Peters while building branching out with internships, service College. For information on the Civitas a gingerbread house. learning and undergraduate research to completing a class assignment or writing mission, visit civitas.central.edu. make the most of their Central education. an article for The Ray. Students are in Photo: Linda Stelter Photo by Linda Stelter Civitas (USPS 096-840) is published by contact with me as they engage in the Central College, 812 University, Pella, • features • any years ago I attended a Not only are internships available, leadership of organizations within the IA 50219-1999. Periodicals postage paid 6 TEACHER PREP 101 presentation by an individual but also we find students engaging in campus and in service to some outside of at Pella, Iowa, and additional offices. The Central Teacher Academy provides who was experienced in undergraduate research opportunities M the campus. Our athletes manifest learning students a chance to teach and connect Postmaster: send address changes (PS coordinating internship opportunities with faculty, service learning experiences about discipline and teamwork as I watch in the schools before student teaching. 3579) to Civitas, 812 University, Pella, for seminary students intending a career embedded in courses, case study Central students have the opportunity to them compete. Our musicians and artists IA 50219-1999. Address changes also 12 IT’S OFF TO WORK WE GO practice what they learned in classes in ministry. He offered an image that approaches to classroom teaching, perform and display learning through their may be sent to [email protected]. Students tell their stories of their in Chicago and Washington, D.C. with has stayed with me all these years—the preparation of assignments with the use of expression. Those leading sustainability internships in Chicago and prestigious internships. rail fence. In this image, the rails of the the creative arts and digital technologies, activities in and outside the classroom draw Washington, D.C. fence represent the ongoing experience of team learning and problem solving and us to personal and collective efforts to do individual learning and the posts represent opportunities for study abroad that are not better in preserving the future. Learning 16 DUTCH AROUND THE WORLD Central College Abroad will soon the importance of related experiences that academic tourism, but experiences that comes in many forms, but at its core is the Production notes: 18 celebrate its 50th anniversary! Take ground the learning in a practice setting. teach a global perspective. integration of theory and practice. a look at a few recent memories from The metaphor has obvious limitations, The important thing for us to Central College is a leader in global, abroad. Corniche is elemental chlorine free (EFC). but it offers a simple reminder that the remember is all these experiential experiential learning. The evidence is Civitas is printed with a soybean-based ink 18 LIVING HISTORY integration of theory and practice is pedagogical approaches are not ends in our students and alumni who are the by Town Crier, Pella, Iowa. Mark Barloon, lecturer of history, essential to learning. in themselves—they are the means by embodiment of academic excellence in engages his classes with historical field Today our understanding of which we can enhance learning. That’s action. trips. experiential learning has grown as our aim. Students can indeed be found Read more of Mark Putnam’s writings in CIVITAS.CENTRAL.EDU • departments • pedagogical innovations have expanded. gathering in classrooms, studios and labs, President’s Corner at civitas.central.edu. 641.628.9000 2 Around the Pond Mark Barloon, lecturer of history, has had a passion for American history Athletics Updates 4 since he was a child—and he shares 21 Alumni Newsnotes that enthusiasm with his students. 29 Parting Shot AROUND THE POND Charlene P. Gaard Endowed Residency in the Liberal Arts. The signature residency is intended to benefit Central College students, faculty, staff and the greater Pella community. Scholars in residence will allow Central to host notable visitors on campus to serve in multi-day residencies in which they will interact with Intersections International, students, the wider campus and Pella- a New York-based non- governmental organization, area communities. The integrated sponsored workshops, a learning opportunities for faculty and Students install natural playscape at Lake Red Rock veteran-civilian dialogue students will reflect the liberal arts and a convocation while on emphasis of the college, enhance the campus in October. overall education received by students and make it possible for participants WELCOMING THE STRANGER a wide range of the campus community,” to engage in meaningful and up-close In an age of polarized viewpoints says Lyn Isaacson, associate dean for exchanges with known experts over and extremist-driven agendas, a unique global education. “Between workshops an extended period of time instead New York-based non-governmental for student leaders, student development, of through a one-time speaking organization, Intersections International, staff and faculty, class visits, work with engagement. promoted mutual understanding and music ensembles, chapel, the veteran- “When Mark Putnam first shared dialogue while in residence at Central civilian dialogue and the culminating the concept of the scholar in residence Oct. 28-31. convocation, we estimate more than program with me I knew it could The theme for the week’s activities was 500 people were involved. Through all have real impact, not only for the “Welcome the Stranger” which included of these events we were reminded of the students, but also for the entire Central a dialogue between central Iowa military importance of listening and opening community,” Thomas says. “The idea veterans and civilians, intended as a ourselves to the lived reality of others of annually bringing a notable person community-building and social healing as the first step in meaningful dialogue or persons to campus to interact with Anya Butt (right), associate Central senior Ryan exercise. The veteran-civilian program across lines of difference.” the students and community for an professor of biology, gets Dusil (right) talks with addressed the cost of conflict in society Intersections International extended period of time makes real to work on phase one of Congressman Dave Loebsack by providing tools for reconciliation and programming covers a range of topics, sense to me. It will go beyond just the natural playscape at about the construction of the including lesbian, gay, bisexual and having a speaker for 30 minutes. It will Lake Red Rock. natural playscape. Photos by Dan Vander Beek Photos by Dan Vander transgender (LGBT) issues, values- be full engagement for several days with “Through all of these events based leadership, global peacemaking a known expert across a wide spectrum In an effort to provide a safer, Association, will significantly improve and The project is located at the North we were reminded of the initiatives and the role of the arts in of topics and academic disciplines. It educational and sustainable alternative to help maintain the innovative playscape. Overlook Beach at Lake Red Rock. The importance of listening and change for social justice. will be liberal arts at its best and I’m traditional playgrounds, Central College, Research shows that children will stay playscape will feature “play pods” with a water opening ourselves to the Intersections International works in very happy to have a part in making it in collaboration with the Army Corps active twice as long at a natural playscape fountain, science technology, engineering communities of conflict by promoting happen at Central.” of Engineers and the Red Rock Lake than a traditional playground. and math (STEM) equipment, geocaching lived reality of others as peace through dialogue and uses direct Gaard, a 1961 graduate of Central Association, is building a natural playscape “Natural playscapes keep kids more opportunities and a prairie restoration project the first step in meaningful service programs, advocacy, educational College, lives in Clive and is a retired at Lake Red Rock. engaged and creative—they keep them which will be turned into a prairie maze.