The Vermeer Charitable Foundation has completed a five-year, $500,000 commitment to strengthen science, technology, engineering and math programs at Central College, marking five years of sustained investment in STEM education. This most recent commitment emphasized support for chemistry.
The funding has supported modernization of laboratory equipment, bolstered accreditation efforts and expanded hands-on learning opportunities for students across disciplines.
“We are grateful to the Vermeer Charitable Foundation for its generous commitment to Central students and to high-quality science education,” says Mary E.M. Strey, vice president for academic affairs. “This support has allowed us to modernize laboratory equipment, meet ACS accreditation standards and give students hands-on experience with techniques they may not encounter until graduate school. Those experiences are essential to how we prepare students to think critically, work confidently in the sciences and succeed beyond Central.”
Mark Putnam, president of Central College, says the investment reinforces the college’s leadership in undergraduate STEM education.
“The Vermeer Charitable Foundation has been incredibly supportive of our sciences and strengthening our programs,” Putnam says. “We are grateful for their support of both engineering and chemistry in recent years, which builds across many related disciplines to benefit both students and the broader workforce.”
The foundation’s support has enabled students to gain hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation typically found in graduate-level laboratories.
“The Nanodrop Spectrometer has been an essential tool in my genetics research and honors thesis, allowing me to accurately measure DNA concentration and assess contamination levels,” says Hannah Reynolds, Class of 2026 biology major from Burlington, Iowa. “It has helped me troubleshoot failed polymerase chain reactions, identify potential contaminants and compare the effectiveness of different DNA extraction methods. Having access to this equipment has strengthened my problem-solving skills, improved the quality of my research and better prepared me for the level of analytical thinking required in medical school.”
Similarly, students in chemistry and biochemistry benefit from mass spectrometry equipment funded through the commitment.
“The MS equipment funded by the Vermeer Charitable Foundation has played a critical role in my education so far,” says Lauren Knott, biochemistry major in the Class of 2027, from Pella, Iowa. “Working with state-of-the-art instrumentation has deepened my understanding of chemistry and strengthened my preparation for graduate school. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to train fellow students on the instrument, which has enhanced both my confidence and my ability to lead in a research setting.”
Chemistry plays a key role in STEM education at Central. Over the past five years, 16% of Central graduates earned degrees in majors that require chemistry coursework, not including education students seeking science endorsements or students preparing for graduate study in health-related fields. During the past academic year, students enrolled in chemistry courses 351 times, underscoring the discipline’s broad impact across programs.
Central faculty have also found laboratory upgrades beneficial in their work. Jay Wackerly, associate professor of chemistry, continues to conduct research with students, with the latest paper published in April. Their achievements are possible in part due to the support from the Vermeer Charitable Foundation.
“Supporting this STEM programming aligns with our foundation’s dedication to innovation, education and community impact,” says Tricia Vermeer, executive director of the Vermeer Charitable Foundation. “By helping students develop critical skills and pathways to success, this initiative contributes to a stronger, more competitive workforce and a brighter future for our students.”
