Four alumni award winners will be honored Sept. 23 during Central College Homecoming. The award winners include Richard and Mary Glendening, Ammanuel Mehreteab and Kellie Markey.
The award presentation, followed by lunch, begins at 10:30 a.m. in Maytag Student Center’s Boat, Moore and Weller rooms. Lunch reservations are required and cost $12 per adult and $6 for children ages 5 -12. For Central’s entire Homecoming schedule, visit http://www.central.edu/alumni/homecoming/
Richard ’62 and Mary Roorda Glendening ’62
Lifelong educators Rich and Mary Glendening have contributed toward the betterment of Central College and Pella for 34 years. Rich is professor emeritus of economics, and Mary served as an elementary teacher for the Pella Community School District — both influencing many generations of students.
Ammanuel Mehreteab ‘70
Researcher and educator Ammanuel Mehreteab recently retired as worldwide director of scientific capability development and global technology for Colgate-Palmolive Company, where he also earned 24 patents. A native of Eritrea (in Africa), Mehreteab enrolled at Central thanks to the suggestion of a beloved Peace Corps teacher who lived near Des Moines.
Kellie Gorsche Markey ‘88
Kellie Markey returned to her hometown, Des Moines, after serving as a marketing professional and vice president at eBay. She began volunteering to connect to the community — and discovered her new career path. In October 2014, Markey founded Dorothy’s House, a program creating a safe haven for victims of sex trafficking and exploitation.
Read more of each award winner’s story in Civitas.
