Isabel E. Rush was a non-traditional student long before anyone discovered the term. She went back to school at The University of Akron at the age of 53 and started a new career when she was 68.
Born in Cuyahoga Falls in 1915, Rush graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1932. For 20 years she worked in the lunch program in various schools in Cuyahoga Falls. In 1971, when she was manager of the Sill Junior High School cafeteria, she was named Food Service Employee of the Year for the Northeast District from the Ohio Association of Public School Employees.
But Rush always wanted more. In 1968, she went back to school to get it. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Technical Education, a Master of Science, then a Doctorate in Educational Administration from The University of Akron.
Then, at age 68, she started a new career as assistant professor of Hospitality Management at The University of Akron. From 1973 to 1983, Rush developed the curriculum for 11th and 12th grade levels for Commercial Food students at the Cuyahoga Valley Joint Vocational School in Brecksville. She was the president of the Ohio Conference of Hotel/Restaurant Institutional Educators.
After retiring from The University of Akron, Rush served part-time as Curriculum Specialist for the Hospitality Management Department of Cuyahoga Community College. She was recognized both locally and statewide for her drive, compassion and expertise on vocational education, earning the Professional Woman of the Year Award in 1984.
She died on June 13, 2002.