In the News
President Mark Putnam has shared his insights through a variety of platforms, including podcasts, radio, newspapers and magazines, reaching audiences from Washington, D.C. to Mexico and back to the Des Moines area. Explore his mentions in these notable publications.
Elevating the Discourse
Published in dsm, February, March, April 2012
Read about President Mark Putnam and Central College in the Faces of Education section with profiles of the catalysts for our colleges, universities and schools.
Course Correction: An Altered Economic Reality Means Institutional Leaders Must Operate Differently
Writer John Pulley interviewed Mark Putnam for the February 2012 issue of CASE Currents.
A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future
Mark Putnam participated in this round table of The National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement in Washington, D.C., in 2011. Read the 2012 report, A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future, on the website of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
President Barack Obama on Higher Education Marketing?
President Mark Putnam is featured in this Stamats blog about President Barack Obama and higher education. Read more
The State of the (Higher Ed) Union
SourceLink blog
If you didn’t watch President Obama’s State of the Union speech Tuesday night and you work in higher ed, hang on to your hat… and your wallet. You’re in for a roller coaster ride. Most politicians can straddle a fence rather deftly. The President delivered a powerful speech, with higher education clearly falling on both sides of the fence.
Read more
When Institutions Become More Important Than People
As a nation, we’ve been shocked by the news coming out of Penn State the past 10 days. Ironic that “Happy Valley” should be the epicenter of a scandal that defies belief and shows a horrific side of human nature, and a horrific side him big-time college sports. Children were sacrificed at the alter of big-time athletics, while officials turned a blind eye to a monster in its midst… Read more
Iowa Campus Compact
Dr. Mark Putnam became Central College’s 21st president July 1, 2010. Putnam previously served as senior vice president for executive affairs at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., where he had a succession of leadership roles for 10 years.
Creating a New Start & Building on Tradition
There are certain seasons in the life of an academic community when it is timely to think about what matters most. The beginning of a new presidency offers a fresh opportunity to consider direction, clarify purpose and ensure the best possible outcomes for the college and its students. President Mark Putnam plans to make the most of it by cultivating the fertile soil of the institution to create new ideas, finding ways to innovate and sustain the upward growth of Central College.
Pella’s new first family tastes its first Tulip Time
I had the honor of serving the new president of Central College and his family their first poffertjes at their Tulip Time debut.
If you haven’t heard of poffertjes, they’re the Dutch mini-pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Top them with strawberries and whipped cream, if you like.
RCA College Presidents Travel East
For the first time ever, all three presidents of the RCA’s colleges–Northwestern, Central, and Hope–visited New York together with members of their admissions staff. They met with RCA members there to strengthen partnerships and generate interest in the colleges among RCA youth in eastern churches.