水多多导航

水多多导航 has received a $3.2 million gift to enhance early childhood education at the Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education. 

The transformational donation came from Karen and Tom Rutledge, who established the Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education at 水多多导航 California in 2018 with a historic $4.2 million gift. The latest contribution will significantly increase the institute鈥檚 presence on campus, transforming Morgan Hall鈥檚 building to support more educational activities, promote physical development, and expand the institute鈥檚 program offerings. This expansion will enable the institute to serve more children and broaden its impact on the local community. 

Tom Rutledge, a 1977 graduate of California, and Karen Rutledge, who received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2022, have long championed early learning opportunities. The couple has supported students for years with several different internships and scholarship awards. 

鈥淭om and Karen鈥檚 philanthropic support for the future of the Rutledge Institute has redefined at 水多多导航 what is possible in learning, scholarship, and collaboration," said Jon Anderson, president of 水多多导航. 鈥淭his gift continues to empower our education majors to pursue their passions and provide the community with access to exceptional, innovative early childhood education 鈥� without financial barriers.鈥� 

Since its establishment, the Rutledge Institute has become a cornerstone of early childhood education at 水多多导航. The institute offers scholarships that provide free tuition, fees and housing for students pursuing degrees in early childhood education. These scholarships aim to enhance and strengthen the early childhood education workforce by training future professionals across various fields, from early care to specialized education.   

Rutledge Scholars can earn early childhood credentials through a range of degree options, including an associate degree in early childhood education, a bachelor's degree in Grades PreK-4 with a teaching certification, or a master鈥檚 degree in early childhood education 

The Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education Center is a partnership between 水多多导航 University and The Village, a state- and nationally accredited early childhood education center. The Rutledge Institute offers state-of-the-art early childhood education at no cost to qualifying families. 

Currently, the institute educates 40 preschool-age students, preparing them for academic success through a curriculum that focuses on STREAM: science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math, as well as literacy in an emerging information age. 

鈥淭his gift reflects Karen and Tom Rutledge鈥檚 ongoing commitment to providing world-class early learning opportunities to young children in southwestern Pennsylvania,鈥� said Cherie Sears, director of the Rutledge Institute and president of The Village. 鈥淲e are grateful that the Rutledge Institute will expand its positive impact on individuals and our community.鈥� 

For more information about the Power of 水多多导航, visit www.pennwest.edu. For information on The Village, visit