For the last 27 years, Dowagiac’s Vickie Phillipson has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the community a stronger, more vibrant place.

As program director of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority, Phillipson is responsible for juggling dozens of tasks: recruiting new business owners and helping them get established, marketing the chamber and Dowagiac to the surrounding region, organizing various festivals throughout the year, and many other duties.

In spite of the crucial role she plays in Dowagiac’s continued success, Phillipson has never been one to seek the spotlight. In fact, her photo does not even appear on the chamber of commerce’s webpage, as pointed out by Rotarian Barbara Groner during the local Rotary Club’s meeting Thursday at the Elks Lodge.

“You really have come to represent the whole community of Dowagiac,” Groner said.

The local service club sang the praises of the city’s resident unsung hero that afternoon, as its members awarded Phillipson with the club’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award.

The chamber director is the 115th recipient of the distinction, named after the founder of Rotary International. The Dowagiac club gives out the award several times each year to members and nonmembers who give above and beyond to the community.

Phillipson, a native of St. Joseph and graduate of Central Michigan University, has worked for the City of Dowagiac since 1990.

On top of her day-to-day responsibilities with the chamber and DDA, Phillipson is always lending a hand to other activities going on within the city. At the moment, she is helping out with a project at Southwestern Michigan College, said chamber president Kim MacGregor, who spoke during Thursday’s award presentation.

“She does a wonderful job, and she has a big heart,” MacGregor said. “She puts everything into her job. It is hard to find someone as dedicated as [her].”

In an emotional moment for the club, Groner also read aloud a statement that longtime Rotarian and former DDA chairman Fred Mathews wrote to the club’s Paul Harris award committee last winter, which nominated Philipson for the award. Mathews, himself a tireless servant to the community who helped established Southwestern Michigan College in 1964, died earlier this year.

In his letter, Mathews praised Phillipson for her dedication and passion to Dowagiac, saying she was the most effective manager he had ever worked with.

“Few people are irreplaceable in this community — Vickie is one of those,” Groner said, reading from Mathews’ letter.

The late doctor’s words had a tremendous impact on Phillipson, who began to cry while listening to Groner deliver his remarks.

“I am both humbled and honored to receive the Paul Harris Award,” Phillipson said via email following Thursday’s ceremony. “Rotary Club is such an essential part of Dowagiac. To be recognized in this way has truly meant the world to me, especially hearing the kind words from the late Dr. Fred L. Mathews. Fred had always been a mentor to me.

“Dowagiac has been my home for more than 30 years. Our community means absolutely everything to me, which makes the work I do for the Chamber, DDA and City very fulfilling.”