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February 5, 2010

Citizen of the Week: Lowell Kirkman

When Dalton architect Lowell Kirkman arrived at the Dalton Noon Rotary Club’s meeting on Tuesday at the Dalton Golf and Country Club, he may have thought it would be a typical pleasant gathering with an enjoyable meal and good friends.

Instead he was the recipient of honor and adoration.

Although Kirkman’s style can be seen in countless buildings throughout Dalton — including the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, the Royal Oaks Retirement Community and Dalton Middle School — according to Rotarian David Elrod, he prefers to stay away from the spotlight. However, on Tuesday the spotlight shone brightly when Kirkman received the 2010 W. Lee Arrendale Award for Vocational Excellence from the club.

Kirkman joins such past award winners as Norman Burkett, Dixie Kinard, Charlie Bowen, Norris Little and Gordon Morehouse. The award recognizes “the importance of service of the individual to society through excellence in one’s vocation, promotion of high ethical standards in the community by recognizing those who exhibit Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self,’ inspiring vocational leadership, and recognizing professional accomplishment and setting an example to others, especially youth, of the need to pursue vocational excellence,” said Elrod.

Kirkman places a high priority on being involved. He has served on the Northwest Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America (receiving the organization’s Silver Beaver Award), is a longtime member of Dalton First United Methodist Church and is currently in his 38th year as a Rotarian. He and his son Nathan worked to save Crown Cotton Mill from being torn down and instead turned it into upscale loft apartments.

“He long ago attained the excellence that the Arrendale Award seeks to recognize, and it is we who are finally catching up to him,” said Elrod.

For his dedication to the city of Dalton and its people, The Daily Citizen names Lowell Kirkman Citizen of the Week.

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