Rush receives Community Cornerstone Award

CornerBank has announced Valerie Rush, RDH, is the Community Cornerstone Award recipient for January. In recognition of her service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Valerie’s choice. Valerie has selected Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Valerie’s service will be at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Valerie currently is president of Chapter ER of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), secretary for Springside Cemetery and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she is part of the Lutheran Women’s Mission League and the stewardship committee.

She has been a member of Soroptimists and Junior Service League. She served two terms as president of the Arkansas City Arts Council and four terms as president of Friends of the Library of Arkansas City, where she also assisted with membership 14 years.

Her organizational volunteerism started early in her career as an active member of the Kansas Dental Hygiene Association, where she has served as secretary and president and as a national delegate to the American Dental Hygiene Association.

Additional volunteer service includes Roosevelt School PTO, Arkansas City High School Band Boosters, Sedgwick County Zoo hygiene volunteer and many years volunteering at school educational programs for oral health, as well as two years educating about oral health for the Salvation Army. She has been affiliated with AFS (American Field Service), with her family hosting a foreign exchange student. She has opened her home for Christmas house tours to benefit numerous charitable organizations.

Valerie is the daughter of Donna (Stacy) Tipton and the late Melvin Tipton. She graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1974 and Cowley County Community College in 1976. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene at Wichita State University in 1979. She moved back to Ark City in 1984 and began working part time with Dr. Nick Rogers, DDS, as the first hygienist in the Ark City area. She began working for Dr. Dan Snowden, DDS, in 1986. Valerie has received numerous dental hygiene awards.

In 1976, Valerie married her high school sweetheart, Rick Rush. They have one daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Rush.

Valerie was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Karl Faidley, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbank.com for nomination guidelines.