Central College is proud to announce this year’s recipients of full-tuition Kuyper Scholarships, Pella Corporation Engineering Scholarship, Rolscreen Foundation Scholarships and the Thomas Ross Smith Scholarship — the most prestigious awards granted at the college.
Peter H. Kuyper founded Rolscreen Company, known today as Pella Corporation, in 1925. Pella Corporation and the shareholder family have been providing Central students with financial assistance through scholarships since 1952, supporting eight different scholarships this year to support student learning at Central. The scholarships include four Pella Rolscreen Scholarships, the Joan Kuyper Farver Scholarship, the P.H. Kuyper Scholarship, the H.S. Kuyper Scholarship and the Pella Corporation Engineering Scholarship.
Fred Maytag founded Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa. In 2021, the Fred Maytag Family Foundation established the Thomas Ross Smith Scholarship for students from Iowa pursuing a career in a STEM-related field. The scholarship is named in honor of an inspirational friend of the Maytag family, who also worked at the Maytag Company for decades as an electrical engineer.
“We selected nine incoming students to receive full-tuition scholarships this year,” says Chevy Freiburger, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission. “The donors who created these scholarships invested in Central students because they believe in Central’s academic program and community culture.”
Top scholars are selected from students who participate in Central’s Scholar Day events held throughout the academic year. The admission team thoroughly reviews the students’ transcripts, academic rigor and their involvement in the community and school as well as their Scholar Day interview. Full-tuition recipients this year averaged a 3.967 GPA. As long as these students maintain their academic excellence, they will continue to receive the scholarship for four years.
“These students are excellent examples of the academic scholars at Central,” says Freiburger. “A Central education opens doors and opportunities for students. We are thrilled to announce the following students with Central’s Class of 2027 who will receive full tuition scholarships.”
- Ernest Alvarez Chedzoy, Kerrville, Texas, recipient of the Pella Rolscreen Scholarship
- Aniya Coleman, Kansas City, Missouri, recipient of the Pella Rolscreen Scholarship
- Gavin Jablonski, Marshalltown, Iowa, recipient of the P.H. Kuyper Scholarship
- Ava Parkins, Monmouth, Illinois, recipient of the Pella Corporation Engineering Scholarship
- Peyton Ritzert, Pella, Iowa, recipient of the Pella Rolscreen Scholarship
- Elyse Shaw, Indianola, Iowa, recipient of the Joan Kuyper Farver Scholarship
- Hayden Sinclair, Ames, Iowa, recipient of the Thomas Ross Smith Scholarship
- Alex Slaymaker, Geneseo, Illinois, recipient of the Pella Rolscreen Scholarship
- William Wadsley, Ames, Iowa, recipient of the H.S. Kuyper Scholarship
In addition to these top scholarships, Central offers many other scholarships to students each year. For the second year in a row, every new incoming student will receive a Journey Scholarship. All scholarships are made possible by the generosity of donors.
“Central remains committed to the affordability of higher education. The transparency of tuition combined with the fact that nearly 100% of our students receive a scholarship makes Central attractive. Our donors’ financial support makes dreams come true and opens doors for students at Central,” Freiburger says.
