Campus Life
We Greet You With Open Arms
“I immediately felt right at home” is a statement you’ll hear a lot at Central — with good reason. Our small class sizes and residential campus make meeting others easy. Here you’ll grow your leadership skills and create friendships that will last a lifetime.
Life at Central
Your Central College experience is what dreams are made of. The connections and relationships you’ll build here at Central are lifelong.
We’re a tight-knit community because of our residential campus. You’re living where you’re learning, so it’s easy to meet others and get involved! Take a look around and know that you’ve got somewhere you belong — right here!
Housing Dining Campus Map FAQ
Be Part of it All
Whether you want to show off your creativity or serve the community, you can indulge your interests and enrich your college experience by getting involved with 100-plus organizations on campus.
No matter your goals, you’ll find at least one organization that’s right for you. Central offers academic and creative clubs, service organizations and music ensembles, NCAA Division III and recreational athletics teams, Greek life and more. If you don’t find an on-campus organization you’d like to participate in, we’ll help you start one!
And don't worry about missing out on anything! Our campus app, DutchConnect, helps students stay up-to-date on what's happening.
Get Involved Athletics Fine ArtsSmall-Town Feel, Big-City Perks
Central is located in winsome, walkable Pella, Iowa. Famous for its Dutch heritage, old-world architecture, fabulous bakeries, laid-back coffee shops, Fortune 500 companies and world-famous tulip festival, Pella is just 40 miles from Iowa’s capital of Des Moines and minutes from Lake Red Rock.
In 2021, Oprah ranked Pella as one of 60 charming American towns everyone should visit. Head over to Nederlanders Golf for appetizers and golf simulation!
Things to Do Off-Campus Eats More on PellaMemories Are Made Here
You’ll love our unique traditions — like gennis, the pond, Fresh Cookie Tuesday and Breakfast of Champions — and strong sense of community. It’s rare to find spirit like this anywhere, but at Central it’s part of who we are.
Central Traditions
Don’t Take Our Word For It
From the moment you step on campus, you become a part of the Central family. Check out student stories, videos and more to learn about life at Central and what it means to be Forever Dutch®.
Homecoming 2022
We always love to welcome the Central family home. Check out some of our favorite moments from Homecoming 2022!
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