PennWest University celebrated the grand reopening of the Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education on Friday, Sept. 25, following a $5.5 million renovation that expands opportunities for young children and the university students preparing to teach them.
Funded by institute founders Tom and Karen Rutledge, the project expanded the facility at PennWest California from 1,800 to 14,000 square feet. Additional classrooms, a STEM lab, library, art studio and children’s kitchen provide space for enrollment to grow from 32 to 80 children.
Established in 2018, the institute operates through a collaboration between PennWest and The Village, a California-based childcare center. It serves children ages 3 to 5 while providing hands-on experience for PennWest students studying early childhood education.
“PennWest is privileged and proud to work alongside Karen and Tom Rutledge and the Village to provide caring, supportive, well-rounded and best-practices-based experiences for the youngest (and most important) members of the California community and our surrounding communities,” said Dr. James Fisher, PennWest’s interim president.
PennWest University’s Rutledge Scholars work alongside teachers from The Village at the center. Scholars may pursue associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees, with scholarship support and classroom experience helping prepare them for careers in early childhood education.
“Our partnership with PennWest California shows what is possible when higher education and early education work together,” said Cherie Sears, president of The Village. “Together, we are strengthening the workforce, elevating the profession and preparing the next generation of teachers.”
The Rutledges have funded early childhood education for 180 local children ages 3 and 4, including full tuition, uniforms, lunches, backpacks and educational resources. They also have provided scholarships covering tuition, fees and housing for 66 PennWest California students, 45 of whom have graduated.
Fisher recognized Desmone Architects, PennWest faculty and staff, Dr. Rebecca Maddas for her work advising Rutledge Scholars, and Sears and The Village team. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta and state Rep. Bud Cook were among the guests.
Tom Rutledge, a 1977 California University of Pennsylvania graduate and former chairman and CEO of Charter Communications, and Karen Rutledge established the institute with a $4.2 million gift, then the largest in the university’s history. Karen received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the university in 2022.
“My hope has always been to help children get a good start and, through them, help their families,” said Karen Rutledge. “Seeing children learn and grow here, alongside students who will become teachers themselves, is wonderful. We’re grateful to everyone who helps make that possible.”
Photo caption: Tom and Karen Rutledge