William and Eva Ruttledge Scholarship Fund

Eva Ruttledge saw Goshen College for the first time as she drove through the town. Her curiosity raised, she contacted the college to find out more. She was invited to make a visit.

“I am convinced of the importance of private, church related colleges,” she is quoted as saying during that first visit, revealing her reasons for being interested in CC.

Born the daughter of a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, Eva had several missionary relatives and believed strongly in the importance of a Christian environment. These values she identified in GC with its emphasis on service and international education.

At age 55, prior to her retirement from the Bell Telephone Company where she had worked as a chief operator for thirty years, Eva had met William Ruttledge. William, a widower, invited Eva to dinner at the prompting of his daughter—in—law. They met for the meal, were engaged nine days later and married within four weeks. –

During the thirty years that they spent together before William’ death in September 1984, the Ruttledges led a full and active life.. They traveled to Europe several times, taking a driving tour when William was 90 and Eva 78.

Before her death in 1986, Eva expressed a wish to set up a scholarship fund for deserving students at CC. She felt that her desire to ensure the future of our nation translated into an interest in young people and therefore a commitment to supporting the small church—related – institutions that she felt best prepared young people for their future roles.

The William L. and Eva Ruttledge Scholarship will continue to be an expression of this couples wish that colleges such as CC are to be an option for young people.