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Central College forms Marburger Leadership Institute to train future educators • Iowa Capital Dispatch [1]

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Date: 2026-04 

Central College is using a gift from an anonymous donor to establish a leadership academy in honor of a slain Iowa educator for students studying education.

The Pella private university announced in a news release Monday its launch of the Marburger Leadership Institute, with its first cohort of 11 students participating in the semester-long program this spring. It is named for Dan Marburger, who was killed in a January 2024 shooting at Perry High School where he served as principal.

Julianne Taylor, co-director of the institute and senior lecturer of education at Central, said in the release Marburger, his wife and his son all graduated from Central, and as a former principal herself, said it “brings such joy” to honor the family through the institute.

“The Marburger Institute expands their leadership capacity, whether it’s leadership in life, volunteerism, extracurricular opportunities, the classroom and in education as a whole,” Taylor said in the release. “The joy for me is helping to build this institute in memory of a man who literally made the greatest sacrifice, and to be able to help cultivate more of those strong leadership characteristics and qualities with our students.”

According to the release, the first cohort of students is enrolled in elementary, secondary and specialty education programs, having been chosen for the institute by faculty in the college’s education department.

Students in the program will work with guest speakers in education, community service, athletics and volunteerism as well as members of the Marburger family, the release stated. Taylor said in the release students are reflecting on their current abilities and skills as leaders and “making connections to ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’” — one of Marburger’s favorite books.

“Dad truly loved visiting campus to connect with future educators,” Seth Marburger said in the release. “We are thankful for the leaders from all walks of life who will inspire students through this institute. The establishment of the Dan Marburger Leadership Institute exemplifies one of several ways Central has demonstrated their commitment to dad’s legacy. Our family is eternally grateful to Central College and the Education Department for honoring dad in this way.”

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