In honor of Bette Brunsting ‘56—alumna, dean, long-time communication faculty member and friend of Central College—the Graham Hall fireside lounge has been named the Brunsting Fireside Lounge.
Brunsting followed two sisters to Central, Evelyn Kuyk ’47 and Joyce Vander Well ’50. She graduated with a degree in speech theatre and later earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University (Ill.) before returning to Central as the dean of women in 1964. Three years later, Brunsting joined the communication department and worked at Central for 34 years.
Steve Mathonnet-Vander Well, Brunsting’s nephew, and his wife, Sophie, both pastors at Second Reformed Church in Pella, spearheaded fundraising to name the room after Brunsting with the help of other nieces and nephews.
“With this naming, we celebrate a very special Central alumna and Brunsting family member,” said Central president Mark Putnam. “Central was fortunate to have Bette continue the Brunsting family tradition of attending Central College. Much like she was an inspiration to her students, she is one to the Central family. Central is a special place and it’s alumni and faculty like Bette who make it great.”
See more photos from the Brunsting Fireside Lounge naming here.