Giving Back to Help Others Grow
“We both believe deeply in helping others get the education they need to live with purpose. If we can help someone else down the road, that’s a gift in itself.”
— Emily Reynen
For Emily and Larry Reynen ’71, giving back is a way to pass on the values that shaped their lives: Faith, family, hard work and the belief in the power of education.
Larry comes from a family steeped in Central tradition.
“Central was always a part of our story,” Larry explains. “My grandmother proudly sent four of her children — and many grandchildren — to Central, helping each one begin their journey with a handwritten check and a loving nudge forward. She was proud of that connection, and it stayed with all of us.”
As a student, Larry found community and growth in every corner of campus. He fondly recalls his time abroad in Yucatán, Mexico, led by the late, legendary Don, professor emeritus of biology, and Maxine Huffman, professor of English. From city-league basketball games in Mérida to archaeological field trips, it was a transformative experience — one that shaped his worldview and eventually led to service through the Marine Corps and a career in agriculture.
Emily, who met Larry on a blind date in 2000, shares his passion for supporting education. Though she hasn’t set foot on Central’s campus, she’s fully invested in its mission.
“We both believe deeply in helping others get the education they need to live with purpose,” she shares. “If we can help someone else down the road, that’s a gift in itself.”
As Larry reflects on the role Central played in his life, he sees it as part of a larger journey — one rooted in the foundation built during his childhood.
“My college years were really a continuation of something that started back at home,” he says. “I was fortunate to grow up in a stable environment where I learned about work ethic and building character. Central gave me the chance to keep building that life base — to grow in new ways and prepare for whatever came next.”
Together, the Reynens are proud to participate in Central’s Leave A Legacy Challenge — an initiative that encourages planned giving to sustain the college’s mission for generations to come. For Emily and Larry, this legacy gift is a way to ensure students from all backgrounds can experience the same transformative opportunities Larry once did.
“We’re fortunate,” Larry reflects. “We saved wisely, and now we’re in a position to give without it being a burden. It’s a simple way to put our values into action — to take just a piece of the pie and put it toward something good.”
The couple made their gift through an IRA required minimum distribution — a simple, tax-smart way to give that fit seamlessly with their financial goals.
“It was easy to do,” Larry shares. “And it felt good knowing something we had set aside could now help others move forward.”
Their hope is to inspire others to do the same.
“You don’t have to give it all,” he adds. “But if Central played a part in your life, there’s no better time to give back.”
For the Reynens, their legacy isn’t just about dollars. It’s about ensuring the spirit of Central — its community, compassion and commitment to doing good — lives on.
“Doing good in the world starts with helping others grow,” Emily shares. “And Central is a place where that happens every day.”
For more information about including Central in your estate plans or the Leave a Legacy Challenge, contact the Central advancement office at development@central.edu or 641-628-5154.