Rudy Liggins
No single person is as iconic at The Children’s Place as Rudy Liggins, who served as a teacher at The Children’s Place from the day we opened our doors in 1978 until he retired in 2020. A former college basketball star, Mr. Rudy has a larger-than-life presence and became fast friends with preschoolers in his classroom. Through his decades at The Children’s Place, Mr. Rudy taught hundreds of children.
Mr. Rudy told us while he was still on staff, “Our mission is to show these kids that they are loved and that they are worthy. We’re here to keep you safe, we’re here to help you learn, and we’re here to help you move to the next level. You are somebody, and we’re never going to let you forget as long as you’re here at The Children’s Place.”
Now several years into retirement, Rudy has been far from a stranger at The Children’s Place. He joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and visits often, occasionally popping into the classrooms to spend time with this new generation of kids.
Meanwhile, his legacy also lives on in his namesake, Rudy Bear, the huggable green bear statue who greets all who enter through our main entrance or the Day Treatment entrance. Just as children knew that Mr. Rudy would be here to greet them every day, every child who arrives at The Children’s Place knows that Rudy Bear’s friendly face will be there every day.
Rudy will be recognized at the Gratitude Bruncheon on Wednesday, August 30. Learn more about our other honorees who will be celebrated at the Gratitude Bruncheon here.
