May 27, 2009

Fry receives Community Cornerstone Award

CornerBank has announced James Fry is the Community Cornerstone Award recipient for May.  In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the Legacy Community Foundation to support additional community development projects.  A reception honoring James' service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit.  The public is invited to attend the reception.

James volunteers for numerous organizations.  He has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity since it began in Ark City and is a familiar face at weekend Habitat projects.  He has worked with Manna Ministries, the Burford Theatre Project and has worked with Arkalalah for 12 years.

He has been a Cub Scout leader for four years, served on a city board for individuals with disabilities for two years and served on the Ark City Christian Academy School Board for seven years.   He set up the Cowley College Bowl for Kids' Sake to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cowley County.  He has been a member of New Hope Assembly for 19 years.

James has worked at Cowley College since 1997, where he started as the Service Learning Office Manager.  He was one of the key individuals in starting the volunteer service programs.  In his job at Cowley, James is responsible for coordinating the service projects of the ACES program, as well as service hours for students enrolled in psychology and sociology courses.  James not only assigns students to work on projects, he accompanies them and works with them, serving as a great role model for young people.

James graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1978 and attended Cowley College.  He has been employed at Cowley College since 1997.  He has been married to Deb Fry for 26 years.  They have two children:  Micah, 16; and Nathan, 10.

James was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Dolly Bonfy, Karl Faidley, Erv Knocke, Arleta Rice, Wayne Short and Judy Reedy.  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@cornerbanks.com for nomination guidelines.