PELLA — For the third year in row, donors have broken a fundraising record during the 48-Hour Challenge, bringing in $192,336 for the Journey Scholarship Fund.

A total of 277 gifts from alumni, parents, friends and organizations went into the Challenge this year. Every dollar raised goes right back to support Central students. It is the college’s goal to award each Central student a donor-funded $1,000 Journey Scholarship to help them find the finest opportunities, conduct research, connect with mentors, explore the world and discover their passions. The Central community came together to help ensure the college can maintain that commitment to student success.

Additionally, 25 new donors helped complete our First-Time Journey Donor Challenge, which unlocked $5,000 for our students.

“The Central community and its friends care very deeply about our students,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president of advancement and 1999 Central graduate. “This support pooled together does such a world of good.”

The 48-Hour Challenge took place from Sept. 1-3. Each year, it’s a substantial contribution to Central’s annual scholarship fundraising goal of $1.8 million. Scholarships are more important than ever and help attract strong students while making Central affordable for all families.

Central has been named one of the best valued colleges in the Midwest thanks to the college’s academic excellence and commitment to access and affordability to a liberal arts education.

Central would like to thank this year’s challengers: Barbara and Thomas Boat ’61; Roger and Janice Brown; Robert ’69 and Charlotte Poppen Foreman ’69; Barb and Tom Gaard ’61; Mike Main ’87; Wayne Holubetz and Julia Muyskens Ostendorf ’84; Aaron ’97 and Lisa Vander Wilt Shileny ’98; Eric Sickler ’83; Erica Swanson ’99 and Brian Smith ’99; Verlan ’61 and Norma De Bruin Van Rheenen ’61; Jim ’10H and Eunice Vander Zyl Van Tuyl ’68; Lance and Judi A. Clauson Vogel ’82; Don and Roxie Morrison and other anonymous donors.