PELLA — Central College welcomed the new year celebrating its strongest six months of fundraising in the college’s history. Most notable was the more than $9 million Geisler-Penquite Foundation gift, the largest ever to Central.

In the first six months of the 2024-25 fiscal year, Central received more than $13.4 million in gifts to support students, faculty and staff, capital projects and programs.  The largest designation was the endowment with more than $7.67 million to ensure donor-funded support for students in the future. An investment in the college’s endowment ensures Central can continue to build and invest in programs for a lifetime.

“Our Central family continues to invest in student programs and experiences that make Central graduates well-rounded citizens who can make a positive difference in our world,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate of Central. “We are so honored by the work of our predecessors who established strong relationship with foundations and individuals over many years.”

More than $1.17 million is designated to Journey Scholarships and annual program support. Gifts to capital projects were $3.2 million.

“Our tradition of enabling talented students to gain a quality education at Central will continue, thanks to the many donors and estate gifts designated to our college,” Eighmy says. “We have much to celebrate as we head into the second half of our fiscal year. However, for Central to remain competitive in the eyes of prospective students, we must continue this momentum and raise funds for scholarships and endowment.”