Central College received a gift of more than $100,000 from the estate of Eugene E. Wormhoudt, helping establish an endowed scholarship.

Wormhoudt’s scholarship was created in honor of his parents, Lon and Bess Wormhoudt, to assist students with financial need. It was awarded the first time during the 2018-19 academic year.

A native of Pella, Iowa, Wormhoudt started college in California to study architecture. He returned to help care for the family business, Wormhoudt & Kempkes Clothing Store, following the passing of his father, who also was a founding member of the Pella Historical Society and Tulip Time.

Wormhoudt graduated from Central in 1947 with a degree in history. He was the credit manager for the Rolscreen Company (now Pella Corporation) from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. Wormhoudt died Oct. 10, 2018, at age 95 in Pella.

“We are grateful for donors like Gene who give to Central students with a financial need,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy ’99, vice president for advancement and a 1999 Central graduate. “Gene’s gift will carry on that legacy forever. He was such a blessing to our community over many years and now will be for generations of future Central students.”