Apr 30, 2018 2 min read

CALIFORNIA – California University of Pennsylvania has received a $4.2 million gift to create an early childhood learning institute.

The gift, from Karen and Tom Rutledge of Greenwich, Conn., will fund annual scholarships for 20 local preschoolers to attend the new Rutledge Institute for Early Childhood Education, which is expected to open on campus in the fall, Cal U. President Geraldine M. Jones said Monday.

“This is a big dream and Karen and Tom are making it possible,” said Jones, who called the donation the largest gift to the school in its history.

Some of the children between the ages of 3 and 5 who will attend the program will come from families who might not have the ability to afford preschool.

The gift also will pay the full tuition and housing costs for 10 Cal U. students who qualify for the grants. Another 10 students will be added to the program each year.

The program will operate in affiliation with The Village, an accredited early childhood education center in the borough. The curriculum will focus on age-appropriate experiences in science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math.

Karen Rutledge, who attended the announcement with her husband, said she was surprised at how fast the program at Cal U. was created after it was first discussed a year ago.

She said she knows what early childhood education is worth.

“Everything here is in great hands,” she said.

The couple met at Peters Township High School.

She worked at Hugo’s Restaurant in Centerville while her husband earned his degree in economics at Cal U. in 1977. He now serves as president and chief executive officer at Charter Communications.

He said the gift was a “gratifying experience.”

“It’s a way for us to be part of this community,” he said.

“We came to campus and had a great experience.”