Four alumni award winners — and one honorary alumna — will be honored Oct. 1 during Central’s homecoming. The award winners include Glenn and Shirley Borgman, Thomas Gaard, Steve De Cook and Berta Van Ekeren.
The award presentation, followed by a luncheon, begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Maytag Student Center. Luncheon reservations are required and cost $12 per adult and $6 for children ages 5 -12.
Glenn ‘54 and Shirley Van Konyenburg Borgman ‘55
Glenn Borgman farmed for 20 years in Iowa before working in sales. Shirley served as a teacher in Pella, was the first woman elected to Pella’s school board, and helped start Hospice of Pella. Glenn and Shirley live in Pella and are also involved with First Reformed Church and Pella Historical Society.
Thomas Gaard ‘61
Thomas Gaard, native of Pella, is retired senior vice president of Principal Financial Group. With his late wife, Gaard established Central’s Thomas J. and Charlene P. Gaard Endowed Residency in Liberal Arts. The signature residency is intended to benefit Central College students, faculty, staff and the greater Pella community. Gaard now lives in Clive with wife Barb Stineman.
Steve De Cook ‘65
Steve De Cook attended Central 1961-63 and completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University. De Cook works in commodity brokerage and advising firms and lives in Johnston with his wife, Jo Ann (Vander Beek) De Cook.
Berta Van Ekeren, honorary alumna
Berta Van Ekeren of Monroe has been a friend to Central College for decades. She is a retired guidance counselor from the Monroe school district and serves on the board of Friends of Monroe Public Library. Berta and husband Philip T. Van Ekeren ’61 also funded a scholarship for business students at Central.
