Hower receives Community Cornerstone Award

CornerBank has announced that Phil Hower is the Cornerstone Award recipient for the month of August. In recognition of Hower’s accomplishments, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of his choice. Hower has selected Helping Hands at the First United Methodist Church to receive the donation. A reception honoring Hower will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, August 10, in the CornerBank lobby, 900 Main. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Hower is a long-time teacher and coach who has affected many students throughout the years. Hower taught math and coached football, basketball and track in multiple high schools and at Southwestern College. He retired from teaching and coaching in 2010.

Hower was a founding father and served on the board for the Community Day Care Center. He was a member of the Winfield Recreation Commission for 15 years and served on the Southwestern Athletic Hall of Fame Committee for 22 years.

He has been active in the First United Methodist Church for 31 years, including serving on the staff parish, Helping Hands and the administration board. He has been a member of Methodist Men 28 years, serving as president six years. He mowed the church lawn for 12 years.

Hower and his wife, Sandi (Flick) Hower, have two daughters, Paige Camp and Shawn Shriver. They have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He graduated from Winfield High School, Southwestern College and Fort Hays State University. He was a teacher and coach for 46 years, including 27 years in Winfield. Hower was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He was named Winfield Master Teacher in 1997 and became a John Wesley Fellow of United Methodist Men in 2011.

Hower was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Cindy Goertz, Ralph Hanna, Rose Hanna, Mary Jarvis, Roger Lungren and Mildred Sherrard. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. To make a nomination contact Ev Bowman at 221-1650 or evelynb@cornerbank.com.