Kirkman Vocational School - Spirit Yearbook (Chattanooga, TN)

Page 8 text:

7a 'adam The noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they are not written: for they were very many. The A pocrypha I Maccabees IX, 22 At the passing of any one who -is near and dear to us there comes a feel- ing of shock and sadness, but the feeling is especially strong when our leader and friend has gone from us. The loss of a man of Mr. Huffaker's stature will be long felt by those who are now or have been at Kirkman. He was an educational leader without peer in our state. Long hours of competent work and devotion to duty built in the lives of his associates and co-workers a monument to the memory of Mr. Huffaker beyond the power of mere words to describe. Loyalty to his associates and friends was a most admirable characteristic. An humble and sincere disposi- tion made him the friend and helper of all who knew him. Even when his duties and cares weighed the heaviest upon him, he found time to help those -in need of his aid. Mr. Kirkman and Mr. Huffaker were the two men most instrumental in realizing the hopes and dreams of vocational education in our community. Mr. Huffaker's plans for a school plant, sufficient to meet the need of Kirk- man Vocational High School, were nearing a point of fulfillment at the time he was taken from us. His efforts to reach this aspiration will be re- membered as the ma-in force responsible for its achievement, even though he was 11ot privileged to see its completion. The accomplishments of this respected man will long be remembered and appreciated. -41

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is i-..f-polrsanf-gjl I 1 1 I 1 MR. OTIS C. KIRKMAN Since this year is being observed as the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of our Alma Mater, it is fitting and proper that. we look backward as well as forward, for it is said that every institution is the shadow of one person. Most assuredly this statement is true at Kirkman because all evidence indicates that the present vocational program is the shadow of the late Otis C. Kirkman, founder of the first public vocational school organized in Chattanooga. It was he who had the vision, the courage, the energy, and the determination necessary to organize the first classes. He planted the seed of vocational education in this communityg nurtured his project through its infancyg and lived to see his dream fulfilled, at least in part.. While no member of the Class of 1954 has first-hand information, all have heard of the many problems he encountered and the reverses which he met. Many men would have given up in despair, but Mr. Kirkman believed most sincerely 1n what was then a new and different concept of education, and he worked diligently and faithfully to get his ideas accepted. ' Because of all that he did to promote vocational education in Chattanooga, in the South, and in the Nation, the Senior Class respectfully dedicates The Spirit of 1954- post-humously to the memory of Otis C. Kirkman, the Father of Vocational Educa- tion in Chattanooga, a. man of vision, a pioneer educator, and af man of high ideals and unquestionable integrity .... -3. l' P' 4

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Q w Q! MR. FRANK HUFFAKER