Micklow, Lakenen to be honored at MAPS Pendill Wall of Excellence ceremony
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MARQUETTE -- Patricia Micklow and Tom Lakenen will be inducted into the Marquette Area Public Schools Pendill Wall of Excellence during a ceremony Thursday, Sept. 24.
The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Little Theater at Marquette Senior High School.
The Pendill Wall of Excellence recognizes individuals whose accomplishments, service and contributions reflect positively on the Marquette community and serve as examples for current and future students.
Patricia Micklow
Micklow, a graduate of Graveraet High School, built a distinguished career in law, public service and advocacy, including becoming the first female district court judge in the Upper Peninsula.
After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Michigan University, Micklow received her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1975. She returned to Marquette and began her legal career as an assistant Marquette County prosecuting attorney before becoming the county’s chief civil counsel.
In 1986, Micklow was elected a judge of Marquette County’s 96th District Court, becoming the first woman to serve as a district court judge in the Upper Peninsula. She remained on the bench until her retirement in 2000.
Much of Micklow’s career focused on improving the legal system’s response to domestic violence and protecting victims. She was involved in the development and work of the Marquette Women’s Center, served on the Marquette County Task Force on Spouse Abuse and co-chaired an advisory task force on spouse abuse for the Michigan Legislature. She also co-authored legal scholarship on domestic violence and worked on legislative and judicial reforms.
Her work extended beyond Marquette County. Micklow developed educational materials and training programs and trained judges, prosecutors, police officers and other professionals on domestic violence and criminal justice issues.
She also served on Michigan Supreme Court and State Bar committees addressing issues including gender bias, domestic violence, judicial qualifications, criminal justice and access to justice.
Her community service included involvement with the Marquette Women’s Center, Michigan Child and Family Services of the Upper Peninsula, Marquette County Medical Care Access Coalition, Marquette Rotary Club, Northern Michigan University Women’s Advisory Council and Room at the Inn.
Micklow has received numerous honors, including the University of Michigan Center for the Education of Women’s Woman of Leadership Award, Northern Michigan University’s Distinguished Citizen Award, the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Award and the 2010 Evergreen Award of Marquette County.
Tom Lakenen
Lakenen is being honored for his contributions to the industrial arts, his creativity and his community involvement through Lakenenland Sculpture Park.
Described by his nominators as the “Michelangelo of welders,” Lakenen has used his welding and fabrication skills to create more than 70 large-scale iron sculptures at Lakenenland, a roadside sculpture park that has become a destination for visitors to the Upper Peninsula.
Lakenen developed the park after giving up drinking in his 30s and channeling his energy into creating art. His work has earned recognition from the governor of Michigan and Michigan Family Destinations, which has highlighted the park’s collection of whimsical iron sculptures.
A member of both the Pipefitters and Boilermakers unions, Lakenen has also used his skills and experience to demonstrate the possibilities available through vocational and industrial arts careers.
His involvement doesn’t stop with the sculptures. Lakenen has opened the park for community events, including fishing derbies and other activities sponsored by local organizations.
His work has helped bring attention to industrial arts while providing a unique attraction for Marquette County and the region’s tourism industry.
The recognition also highlights the importance of preserving the creative component of technical education.
“Although many educators now call it ‘Industrial Technology,’ the ‘Art’ is still there. And we need to keep it there,” wrote educators James Howell and Brad Huff.