PELLA — Central College celebrates a significant retirement and announces a major hire in the advancement office. Dave Sutphen ’61, vice president for advancement, will retire Friday, April 12, and transition into a new position. Bill Northup ’83 of Clive, Iowa, will step into the vice president role Monday, April 15.
Celebrating a legacy— After 12 years of faithful service, Dave Sutphen will retire as vice president of advancement. Sutphen will be transitioning into a new space as advisor to the president. He will devote his talents toward athletics facilities fundraising and serve as a Central ambassador, managing key relationships to the college in consultation with the president.
“It’s important to the Central family that his long legacy and dedication to the college continues,” said Mark Putnam, president. “Dave led by example in many ways and not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk – a characteristic our donors valued. His tireless enthusiasm for Central and his inherent ability to put students and donors first are both unmatched and representative of a purpose many will emulate going forward.”
A 1961 graduate of Central, Sutphen returned to campus in 2000 as director of planned giving after working at Wormhoudt and Kempkes in Pella upon graduation and later purchasing the clothing store in 1981. He moved into the vice president role at the college in 2005.
His leadership was key to Central’s largest fundraising campaign in history as the college exceeded the phase one goal, raising more than $52.5 million in the Campaign for Central and later marched through the phase two goal. At the close of the campaign, Central raised more than $89.4 million and attained a Kresge Foundation challenge grant. Ninety-nine percent of Central employees contributed to the campaign.
“I was very fortunate to work with great leaders of the college and also with a fantastic staff,” Sutphen said. “It made the job easy over the years. I loved meeting with people who had a passion for Central; it was gratifying to know we were making a difference in the lives of students. It also was thrilling to have a board that stepped up to the plate every time and to see how much they sacrifice for Central College.”
Returning home — Bill Northup, a 1983 Central College graduate, returns home to begin his tenure as vice president for advancement.
Northup will complete a successful 24-year career from Wells Fargo where he serves as senior vice president and regional fiduciary manager of the greater Minnesota/Iowa region. He has held a series of advancing leadership roles at Wells Fargo since his first one as trust business development officer in 1989 and later vice president and trust manager in Cedar Rapids. In addition to his current position, Northup worked in five senior vice president roles with Wells Fargo in the Quad Cities and Des Moines offices.
Northup earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Central in 1983, and his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1986. He worked as an attorney at Elderkin and Pirnie, P.L.C., for three years before joining Wells Fargo. He is a past board member of the Iowa Trust Association, member of the Polk County Bar Association and Iowa State Bar Association, and currently serves on the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council in addition to the Des Moines Estate Planners.
He is involved in a host of volunteer activities. Northup joined the Central board of trustees in 2010, and is a present trustee with the Grand Lodge of Iowa, a board member for Camp Courageous of Iowa, and member of the professional advisory council of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines as well as the finance committee of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. His past service includes roles as vice president of the board of the Scott Community College Foundation, board member/Kittan district chair for the IlIowa Council and vice president of the Lourdes Catholic School Board.
At Central, Northup was active in band, choir, football and the pre-law club. A graduate of Pekin High School, his brothers Norm ’73, Phil ’77 and Bo ’84 each attended Central and their parents. Bill and Wilma of Ollie, were named honorary alumni in 2011. He is also a member of the Central Club, Friends of the Central Arts and Cornerstone Society.
“Bill’s passion for Central College and his professional work history make him uniquely qualified for the role of vice president of advancement,” said Mark Putnam, president. “As an alumnus with a long family legacy at Central, he has many points of connection to add to his successful experience in financial planning, wealth management and relationship building. As an actively engaged Central family member and recent trustee, he starts from a solid platform with values and priorities that align with the college’s. With Bill on board, Central is well-positioned on a path to further develop and support the college’s initiatives.”
Northup and his wife, Lisa, a senior business relationship manager with Wells Fargo Bank, have two children. Their daughter Lauren, 13, and son Jake, 11, attend Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School in West Des Moines.
“Central College played a major role in making me who I am today,” said Northup. “To have an opportunity like this to come back and help continue the legacy of what Central has meant to so many young men and women, is a dream come true for me.
“I have long admired the work of the advancement staff at Central,” Northup said. “I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to being a part of this team.”
Sutphen echoed the enthusiasm.
“Bill will be a perfect fit for Central and a key leader for the college,” he said. “He has such a passion for Central and working with people.”
