The Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI announced Central College as the winner of two Best of District awards — a video for fundraising and stewardship (long-version), “Baking a Difference,” and a written profile (1,000+ words), “The Father of Division III, but so much more.”
Central’s entry, “Baking a Difference,” was created for the 2022 Scholarship Dinner. It focused on the importance of how endowed scholarships at Central make a difference for many students choosing to attend Central. It captured Steven and Stefanie Bresnahan Perkins, Classes of 2001 and 2002, and their eldest son, Jackson. The video may be viewed on Central’s website.
Central’s entry, “The Father of Division III, but so much more,” was created for the athletics website and alumni magazine, Civitas, at the passing of Kenneth Weller, Central’s longest-serving president, from 1969 to 1990. He also was a former athlete and coach who served as an NCAA vice president, authored the original NCAA Division III Philosophy and was heavily involved in the integration of women’s athletics within the NCAA. The article was written by Larry Happel, athletics communications director and a 1981 Central graduate. Happel is now in his 45th year at Central and is the longest-serving college or university sports information director in Iowa. The article may be read in the Summer 2022 Civitas magazine and on Central’s website.
“Central team members commit themselves to excellence,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 Central graduate. “Our CASE district is extremely competitive and it’s nice to see our talented group be recognized at a regional level.”
District VI covers the Mid-America region including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. CASE member colleges and universities compete in the awards program, from small private to large state universities.