CALIFORNIA, Pa. -- Pennsylvania Western University 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 PennWest California in 2018 with a historic $4.2 million gift.

The latest contribution will significantly increase the institute’s presence on campus, transforming Morgan Hall to support more educational activities, promote physical development, and expand the institute’s 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.

“Tom and Karen’s philanthropic support for the future of the Rutledge Institute has redefined at PennWest what is possible in learning, scholarship, and collaboration," said Dr. Jon Anderson, president of PennWest. “This gift continues to empower our education majors to pursue their passions and provide the community with access to exceptional, innovative early childhood education – without financial barriers.”

Since its establishment, the Rutledge Institute has become a cornerstone of early childhood education at PennWest. 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.