[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4155-S4156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CENTRAL COLLEGE SESQUICENTENNIAL

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, last fall, Central College kicked 
off a year of festivities to celebrate its sesquicentennial. Founded in 
1853 by a determined group of immigrants from the Netherlands, Central 
College has grown in size and stature during the last century and a 
half, but remains grounded in the tradition and faith of its founders. 
This weekend, the celebration continues with the Happy Birthday Dear 
Central Gala.
  Currently affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, the college 
was originally created through the efforts of the Baptists of Iowa. The 
Iowa Baptist Society worked to establish an ``institution of liberal 
and sacred learning'' in the early days of our State. An enterprising, 
open-minded Pella resident, Dominie Scholte, believed in the

[[Page S4156]]

power of higher education and campaigned to bring the new institution 
to his community. Scholte, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
sealed the deal for Pella by donating land and money to the new school.
  The new Central University of Iowa opened its doors on October 8, 
1854, with 37 students in a rented buildlng on Washington Street. From 
a humble beginning, Central College has grown into a state-of-the-art 
liberal arts college with 1,700 students. The college offers degrees in 
36 disciplines and is well known for its ambitious study abroad 
program.
  The study abroad program began in the summer of 1962 when a group of 
Central students ventured to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The 
program also sent students to Paris, France the following summer and 
was expanded to a full year of study in 1965. The popularity of the 
program and the number of foreign locations has increased and now 
includes England, Wales, Austria, Spain, Holland, China and Kenya. 
Today, approximately half of Central students spend at least one 
semester aboard.
  Central College alumni, students, staff and Pella residents have 
participated in a variety of special events over the past several 
months. The sesquicentennial celebration has showcased the strong 
liberal arts tradition of the college with special performances, 
lectures, exhibits and social events. As the college community comes 
together for the Happy Birthday Dear Central Gala, I offer my heartfelt 
congratulations on 150 years of excellence in the education and my best 
wishes to Central College for the next 150 years.

                          ____________________