Thank you donors! Did you miss it? There is still time to give! central.edu/give
$283,748 raised 437 gifts
Journey Scholarship has raised $ 248,799 from 221 gifts!

Journey Scholarship

Want to directly help Central students?

Every dollar of your gift to the Journey Scholarship Fund goes to scholarships for our amazing students!

This year we awarded more than $1.7 million in donor-funded Journey Scholarships thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors.

With the support of Central alumni, family and friends, Central has offered a donor-funded scholarship to every newly admitted student since the fall of 2022. 

More Scholarships, More Opportunities

Donor-funded scholarships are an essential part of making a Central education even more affordable and accessible. Central awards dozens of additional donor-funded scholarships each year to help our students succeed. You can give a direct boost to any of them by using the "Other" option while making your gift.

Help Spread the Central Spirit!

Hoo-Rah Day is all about bringing the Central community together. Help us celebrate by reaching out to your Central friends and mentors. Share Central-themed photos of your kids, pets or Central memories on social media. Snap a photo with our Hoo-Rah Day poster or download a Big Red coloring sheet. Share this link – hoorah.central.edu – with #HoorahDay and encourage your family and friends to join the celebration. Thank you and Go Dutch!

2
Match
Journey Scholarship - $70,000
ALL gifts to the Journey Scholarship Fund will be matched up to $70,000. That doubles your gift and your impact! Thank you to: Shirley Van Konynenburg Borgman '53, Rick '70 and Sarah Drexler Ryan '71, Jeff Oliver '79, Marty Vanden Herik '80, Ross '80 and Greta De Cook McCarty '81, Kris Ward '85 Tim Hoekstra '95, Eric and Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf '96 and other anonymous donors.
$60,156 MATCHED
Ended
$10,000
Iowa Challenge – $10,000
When 150 Iowa residents participate in Hoo-Rah Day with a gift of ANY size, $10,000 will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Generously sponsored by: Dixie and Will Hoekman '67, Penny and Steve Sikkink '83 and other anonymous donors.
150 / 150 Donors
Completed
$5,000
Parents Challenge - $5,000
Central parents are some of the most loyal people we know. When 30 Central parents donate -- current or past -- a $5,000 challenge will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Generously sponsored by past parents Scott and Cindy Van Tasell and other anonymous donors.
30 / 30 Donors
Completed
$10,000
Presidents Challenge - $10,000
Central College President, Mark Putnam, along with his wife Tammy and Central Student Body President Parker Lawrence '26 are challenging current and former Student Senate members to donate to this challenge, to unlock the Presidents Challenge we need 30 gifts to unlock the Presidents Challenge.
30 / 30 Donors
Completed
Leaderboard
Class Participation Challenge - $10,000
Can your graduating class year end Hoo-Rah Day on top? The top three participating class years will have bragging rights for the year! Generously sponsored by: Dan '04 and Jenna Daale Huitink '06 and Jason '10 and Tayler Wessels Hassman '13 and other anonymous donors.
What is your class year?
Rank Answer Donors
1 1977 10
2 2026 10
3 2009 8
4 1991 8
5 1971 8
6 1996 7
7 1987 7
8 2006 7
9 1994 6
10 1970 6
11 2002 6
12 1980 5
13 1969 5
14 2013 5
15 2016 4
Ended
Success!
Instagram Challenge - $5,000
Share a photo of your favorite Central memory or of you rocking your Central gear today. 25 story tags unlocks $5,000 for student scholarships! Thank you to Claire and Blaine Hawkins '21 and other generous donors.
Completed
$10,000
Total Donor Challenge - $50,000
For every 80 donors on Hoo-Rah Day, we’ll unlock $10,000 for the Journey Scholarship. Just by participating, you’ll help unlock up to $50,000 for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Show us your Dutch spirit by sharing this page with your Central friends! This challenge is sponsored by: Dale '69 and Eileen Miller Vander Wilt '70, Tom De Vries '73, Eric Sickler '83, Bill and Deborah Buck Houghton '84, Angela and Mike Flanagan '85, Marlena Wichhart and other anonymous donors.
Completed
$5,000
Double Dutch Challenge - $5,000
Central couple Dave '86 and Kristi Jaarsma Balk '88 love Central. That’s why they (along with other anonymous donors) are challenging other Central couples to give back this #HooRahDay! When 30 Central couples participate, a $5,000 gift will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund!
30 / 30 Donors
Completed
$10,000
Inspired by Faculty Challenge - $10,000
Was your gift inspired by an outstanding faculty member (past or present) who nurtured or expanded your personal learning at Central? Alumni provide a wealth of "gee-whiz" stories about professors who defined their Central experience with their personal dedication and extraordinary acts of kindness. Faculty are one of Central's great resources and embody the spirit of the college. When 30 gifts are made in honor of a faculty member, this challenge, sponsored by Rich ’62 and Mary Roorda Glendening ’62 along with other anonymous donors will be unlocked!
30 / 30 Donors
Completed
$10,000
Early Donor Challenge - $10,000
When 50 donors donate early to Hoo-Rah Day, a $10,000 gift will be unlocked! Thank you to our generous, anonymous donor for funding this match.
Completed
Leaderboard
SEE THE GOOD!
Follow along and see how much good the Central community is doing for all of campus!
Rank Department Raised
1 Journey Scholarship $60,156.48
2 World of Good Campaign $12,995.00
3 Central Athletics $9,968.00
4 Fine Arts $2,710.00
5 My Passion (other) $2,661.00
Ended
Success!
Facebook Challenge - $5,000
Ready for a challenge? Share your favorite Central memory or a photo in your Central gear in the comments on this post. Once we have 25 comments with a Central memory or photo, $5,000 will be unlocked for student scholarships! Thank you to John '87 and Julie Pothoven Fisher '90 along with other anonymous donors.
Completed

Participating Groups

Journey Scholarship Academic Excellence Central Athletics Endowment and Research Fine Arts World of Good Campaign My Passion (other)

Show your Central spirit using #HooRahDay

Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at development@central.edu.