Central College Launches Leadership Institute in Memory of Principal Dan Marburger

The Marburger Leadership Institute will cultivate the next generation of courageous, compassionate and community-focused educators.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:26pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a mortar board graduation cap repeated in a tight grid pattern, in the style of Andy Warhol. The image utilizes flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the iconic symbol of education into modern pop art.The Marburger Leadership Institute at Central College aims to cultivate the next generation of courageous, compassionate and community-focused educators.Perry Today

Central College has launched the Marburger Leadership Institute, a semester-long program designed to develop the leadership skills of future educators. The institute is named in memory of Dan Marburger, a 1989 Central graduate who was the principal of Perry High School and died protecting his students in a tragic shooting in 2024.

Why it matters

The Marburger Leadership Institute aims to honor Marburger's legacy of selfless service and inspire the next generation of educators to embody the same qualities of bravery, compassion and dedication to their communities.

The details

The inaugural cohort of 11 students has been selected for the program, which will feature guest speakers from across education, community service, athletics and volunteerism. Members of the Marburger family will also share personal reflections on Dan's life and values. The institute will be offered each spring semester, with students nominated and selected by the Education Department faculty based on their leadership potential, integrity and commitment to the profession.

  • The Marburger Leadership Institute was launched in Spring 2026.
  • Dan Marburger died on January 14, 2024, while protecting his students during a tragic shooting at Perry High School.

The players

Dan Marburger

The principal of Perry High School who died protecting his students in a tragic shooting in 2024. Marburger was a 1989 graduate of Central College.

Julianne Taylor

Senior lecturer of education and co-director of the Marburger Leadership Institute at Central College. Taylor is a former public-school administrator.

Seth Marburger

A 2016 Central College graduate, the son of Dan Marburger, and a special education teacher in the Pella Community School District.

Central College

The college that has launched the Marburger Leadership Institute to honor the legacy of Dan Marburger, a 1989 graduate who died protecting his students.

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What they’re saying

“The Marburger Institute expands their leadership capacity, whether it's leadership in life, volunteerism, extracurricular opportunities, the classroom and in education as a whole. 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. I know Seth and his wife, Morgan, both were Central alums. I was a former principal as well. Being able to do this and honor Seth's family, the Marburger family, brings such joy.”

— Julianne Taylor, Senior lecturer of education and co-director of the Marburger Leadership Institute

“Dad truly loved visiting campus to connect with future educators. 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.”

— Seth Marburger, 2016 Central College graduate, son of Dan Marburger

What’s next

The Marburger Leadership Institute will be offered each spring semester, with the next cohort of students selected by the Education Department faculty.

The takeaway

The Marburger Leadership Institute at Central College is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Principal Dan Marburger, whose selfless sacrifice inspired the creation of a program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of courageous, compassionate and community-focused educators.