The Central College community launched into the new academic year with gifts totaling $175,470 during the 48-Hour Challenge to support the Journey Scholarship Fund. During this concentrated two days of giving, 356 donors contributed to the Journey Scholarship Fund.

“Central’s community rose to the challenge giving a record-high amount to the Journey Scholarship Fund during the first 48 hours of the school year,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate of Central. “This fundraising challenge helped the college launch the year in a big way. All funds raised during the challenge will support student scholarships. Central donors continue to show their enthusiasm for students who are making a difference in the world.”

All new incoming Central students received a Journey Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year. This is the second year the college has awarded each new student a Journey Scholarship, funded by donors.

“Journey Scholarship recipients are able to continue receiving this scholarship for all four years, thanks to the continued support of our amazing donors,” Eighmy says. “Central’s community is caring, and the connections students make truly last a lifetime. Together, these donors are making a difference in the lives of Central’s students.”

All gifts up to $50,000 were matched. An additional $25,000 match was offered by challengers after the $100,000 goal was exceeded. Lead donors who funded the matching gifts include Dianne and Arlo Stoltenberg ’60, Herb Blom ’61, Verlan ’61 and Norma De Bruin Van Rheenen ’61, Steve De Cook ’65, Dr. Robert ’69 and Charlotte Poppen Foreman ’69, Mary Anderson ’78, Michele and Mark VanderLinden ’78, Jeff Oliver ’79, Julie and Mark De Jong ’81, Lance and Judi A. Clauson Vogel ’82, Paul ’83 and Nancy Thies Van Farowe ’86, John ’87 and Julie Pothoven Fisher ’90, Stephen Mc Williams ’96, Dave Kravitz and Anna Swanson ’03, Gene and Carol Williamson and other anonymous donors.