Central College recognized service award winners and employees who reached a milestone anniversary during 2024 at the annual Staff Service Awards celebration.
“I’m honored to recognize Central’s dedicated staff as they reach milestones and receive recognition by their peers,” says Mark Putnam, Central president. “These committed individuals make the college successful. Together our amazing staff create a great student experience and teach them to make a difference in the world. We are so thankful for their abiding commitment to Central and the greater Pella community.”
50 plus years of service:
- John Edwards, Class of 1972, 52 years, facilities management and athletics
45 years of service:
- Larry Happel, Class of 1981, athletics
- Sue Van Vark, library
40 years of service:
- Mona Schaver Roozeboom, Class of 1975, athletics
30 plus years of service:
- George Wares, Class of 1976, 39 years, athletics and kinesiology
- Gerald Pleima, 38 years, facilities management and conferences and events
- Hang Lovan, 37 years, catering services
- Tom DeYoung, Class of 1987, 37 years, facilities management
- Deb Rooda, 36 years, information technology services
- Matt Diehl, Class of 1987, 33 years, Student Support Services and athletics
30 years of service:
- Linda Oppenhuizen, Class of 2004, campus information and postal services
- Debra Randol, facilities management
- Wes Veenstra, facilities management
25 years of service:
- Johnathan Boat, dining services
- Jim Cadwell, facilities management
20 years of service:
- Jessi Beranek, catering services
- Duane Houser, facilities management
- Craig Roose, facilities management
15 years of service:
- Eric Harvey, dining services
- Iwan Williams, dining services
10 years of service:
- Ryun Ferrell, athletics/ tennis coach
- Joe Flaherty, Class of 2014, athletics communications
- Susie Hakeman, admission
- Kayla Huston, Class of 2013, dining services
- Kristin Lewis, pre-college programs
5 years of service:
- Sadie Brown, Class of 2019, athletics/preceptor
- Jeanette Budding, communications
- Wendy Hartson, facilities management
- Jennie Hedrick-Rozenberg, Class of 2006, athletics/triathlon coach
- Jennifer Wooten Jensen, Class of 2010, natural science laboratory/environmental compliance
- Angie Kroes, facilities management
- Hannah Laflin, Class of 2016, campus ministries
- Drew Leeper, facilities management
- Christian Manchester, Pella Cinema
- Mary Hannah Stephenson, visual and performing arts
- Valerie Terpstra, facilities management
- Donielle Ver Meer, dining services
- Jennifer Walker, dining services
- Dawn Netz Wood, Class of 2003, counseling
- Scottie Yang, Class of 2018, Upward Bound
The Central Staff Council announced Iwan Williams, director of dining services, as the winner of the Sky’s the Limit Award. This is given to a staff member who is committed to high-quality work and focused on exceeding the expectations of those they serve. They should be someone who takes initiative and looks for ways to improve.
The council also awarded the Cooperative Spirit Award to an employee who makes a difference to the campus community through collaboration with others. They recognize, encourage and utilize the knowledge and abilities of others to enable successful collaboration. The winner this year is Sue Van Vark, Geisler Library office manager.
Photo caption:
Central College celebrated staff achievements and milestone anniversaries. The Sky’s the Limit award went to Iwan Williams, director of dining services, (pictured above left, with Renae Tool, Staff Council chair) and the Cooperative Spirit was awarded to Sue Van Vark, Geisler Library office manager (pictured above right with Tool).