Central College has received a $50,000 gift from the Noel Cover Foundation of Cozad, Nebraska.

Central is one of four colleges that is supported by the foundation and the only Iowa institution represented. Since the early 1970s, Central has received $1.336 million in support leading to 301 scholarships for 132 students.

Support from the foundation is used to provide scholarships to needy, deserving and promising young men from Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming or Nebraska who attend one of the following four colleges: Central College (Iowa), University of Denver (Colorado), St. Olaf College (Minnesota) and Hastings College (Nebraska). Recipients must study in fields related to science, scientific research, mechanical engineering and craftsmanship, medicine, medical research or social science.

“We are extremely grateful to the Noel Cover Foundation for supporting Central College and our students for nearly 50 years,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, Central’s vice president for advancement and a 1999 graduate. “The foundation’s tremendous generosity has opened so many doors for our students. Past recipients have gone on to do amazing things, both at Central and in their lives following graduation.”

Noel Cover was a farmer and rancher in the Cozad area. He and his wife, Nellie, believed in education, even though they had no children. The foundation was established after Noel’s death to benefit students. Earnings from the foundation are derived from the annual revenue generated by approximately 1,000 acres of irrigated farmland near Cozad.