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Two well-known and involved community members were “humbled” by the awards bestowed upon them at the Morton Chamber of Commerce Dinner Jan. 21.
School District 709 Superintendent Dr. Roger Kilpatrick was named the Distinguished Service Award winner for community service.
“When Paul (Grethey) started talking about the school board, I was thinking, ‘Who is it?’” Kilpatrick said of the night. “My mindset wasn’t even in the realm of possibility that it was me.”
Kilpatrick said to be put in the same category as past DSA winners left him speechless.
“You look at the list and these people have given so much over a number of years. That’s one of the first times I was caught by surprise,” he said. “I’m very thankful to my board, staff and community.”
Kilpatrick said when he moved to Morton he was impressed with the school board.
“Those of us who have been in public service, we know how much it takes of other people to make something happen,” he said.
Kilpatrick, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said the award is a nice end to his career.
“It’s a humbling experience. I can list probably 10 people very quickly who are deserving and only a few get recognized,” he said. “I enjoy being a part of the district’s future. That’s the part I will miss the most.”
The chamber not only honored Kilpatrick Jan. 21. Dan Schmidt was named Volunteer of the Year at the dinner as well.
And along the same lines as Kilpatrick, Schmidt found himself speechless.
“I was totally surprised. When they said (the winner) was the chair of Pumpkin Idol I thought, ‘Oh goodness, that’s me,’” Schmidt said.
Schmidt is on the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he chairs Pumpkin Idol, attends ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours and the like, and comes up with new ideas for the chamber.
“I really like people. I think people are the best investment,” Schmidt said. “Getting involved with the community and getting to see friends more often, that’s what I like.”
Schmidt said he views the other chamber members as his team.
“All the things I do, I couldn’t do without my team,” he said.
Schmidt said once his name was called, he was nervous, to say the least.
“It was a proud and heartfelt moment and I have big shoes to fill. I love the town and the people even more,” he said.
Schmidt, who has worked at Morton Community Bank for five years, said his family told him they were proud of him after the dinner, which he holds in high esteem.
“When my family says something like that, it means a lot,” he said.
Two well-known and involved community members were “humbled” by the awards bestowed upon them at the Morton Chamber of Commerce Dinner Jan. 21.
School District 709 Superintendent Dr. Roger Kilpatrick was named the Distinguished Service Award winner for community service.
“When Paul (Grethey) started talking about the school board, I was thinking, ‘Who is it?’” Kilpatrick said of the night. “My mindset wasn’t even in the realm of possibility that it was me.”
Kilpatrick said to be put in the same category as past DSA winners left him speechless.
“You look at the list and these people have given so much over a number of years. That’s one of the first times I was caught by surprise,” he said. “I’m very thankful to my board, staff and community.”
Kilpatrick said when he moved to Morton he was impressed with the school board.
“Those of us who have been in public service, we know how much it takes of other people to make something happen,” he said.
Kilpatrick, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said the award is a nice end to his career.
“It’s a humbling experience. I can list probably 10 people very quickly who are deserving and only a few get recognized,” he said. “I enjoy being a part of the district’s future. That’s the part I will miss the most.”
The chamber not only honored Kilpatrick Jan. 21. Dan Schmidt was named Volunteer of the Year at the dinner as well.
And along the same lines as Kilpatrick, Schmidt found himself speechless.
“I was totally surprised. When they said (the winner) was the chair of Pumpkin Idol I thought, ‘Oh goodness, that’s me,’” Schmidt said.
Schmidt is on the Morton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he chairs Pumpkin Idol, attends ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours and the like, and comes up with new ideas for the chamber.
“I really like people. I think people are the best investment,” Schmidt said. “Getting involved with the community and getting to see friends more often, that’s what I like.”
Schmidt said he views the other chamber members as his team.
“All the things I do, I couldn’t do without my team,” he said.
Schmidt said once his name was called, he was nervous, to say the least.
“It was a proud and heartfelt moment and I have big shoes to fill. I love the town and the people even more,” he said.
Schmidt, who has worked at Morton Community Bank for five years, said his family told him they were proud of him after the dinner, which he holds in high esteem.
“When my family says something like that, it means a lot,” he said.
