Written by: Ken Bikoff, O’Neill School Faculty Liaison and Public Relations Officer
Some people collect accomplishments. Others focus on making an impact.
Philip J. Rutledge managed to do both in a way that resonates more than a decade after his passing.
One of the most influential leaders in the field of public administration and social equity, Rutledge held high-profile public policy positions at the local and national levels before transitioning to the realm of academia, including nearly 20 years at Indiana University and the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The O’Neill IUPUI-Philip Rutledge Fellows Program was expressly established to celebrate his tireless contributions to public good with the aim of making it possible for future generations of highly talented minority students to follow his footsteps.
“During the 50-year history of the O’Neill School, we’ve been blessed with so many influential researchers who have made an immeasurable positive impact on the world,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O’Neill School. “Philip Rutledge ranks among the most influential in terms of a lasting legacy that has pushed the effort toward equity forward, and we’re so incredibly proud that he was a part of our school.”