Three Central College alumni—and one honorary alumna—will receive awards on Oct. 4 during Central’s homecoming. The award winners include Jeff Link ’89, Kirk Kolenbrander ’83, Markay Winston ’87 and Marlyn Rietfeld Ebbers, who will be honored for professional achievements and dedication to Central.
The award presentation, followed by a luncheon, begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Maytag Student Center. Luncheon reservations are required and cost $12 per adult and $6 for children ages 5-12.
Jeff Link ’89
CEO of Analytics Media Group of New York and Chicago, Owner of Link Strategies, LLC, in Des Moines
Jeff Link recently formed Analytics Media Group with members of the team that marketed President Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Link advised this team while managing Link Strategies, his own political consulting firm. Link was also involved in Sen. Tom Harkin’s 1996 and 2002 campaigns.
Kirk Kolenbrander, Ph.D. ’83
Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Kirk Kolenbrander has worked with MIT since 1990. Before serving in his current role, Kolenbrander was an associate professor of electronic materials, associate dean for student life and senior advisor to MIT’s president. At MIT, Kolenbrander has been recognized for excellence in teaching and for outstanding contribution to student life.
Markay Winston, Ph.D. ’87
Chief of Special Education and Supports, Chicago Public Schools
Before working in Chicago, Markay Winston distinguished herself as director of student services for Cincinnati Public Schools. She led the district in special education, crisis response, homeless education, school health and English as a second language. Winston also served as a school psychologist and mental health consultant for Cincinnati’s Secondary Diagnostic Center for Behavior Disordered Youth, as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University.
Marlyn Rietfeld Ebbers, honorary alumna
Marlyn Rietfeld Ebbers has been connected to the Central family since 1979, when her daughter Rebecca Rietfeld Eversman ’83 started at Central. Rietfeld’s connections grew to include her second daughter, Alissa Kuhlman ’93, husband Rev. Jim Ebbers ’48, step-daughter Susan Ebbers ’74 and son-in-law Scott Eversman ’83. She has been an active part of Central for decades, serving with President’s Associates, Cornerstone Society and Town & Gown, as well as attending Central events year round.
