1. Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2010
Pat Henricksen
Central Dewitt Hall of Fame
Induction Class 2010

2. Inducted for Outstanding Contributions as a Distinguished Graduate of Central High School

3. Biography
Pat Henricksen is a 1960 graduate of DeWitt High School.  As a DeHawk, Pat was involved with Band, Chorus, Girls Glee Club, and was the Homecoming Queen her senior year of high school.  Pat worked in a variety of educational settings, from pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools.  Pat continues to be involved in educational endeavors as the Executive Director of the Central Education Foundation.

4. Article from the Observer
Not only is Pat Henricksen a product of Central Community Schools, but she is one of its most loyal supporters. Henricksen went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She taught in Davenport, Bettendorf and Cedar Rapids before returning to teach at Ekstrand Elementary School in her hometown. Along the way, she married Don Henricksen, gave birth to sons Bill, Tom and John and became active in the DeWitt Junior Women’s Club — which later would become a springboard to many of her community involvements. Mrs. Pat or Mrs. H., as many of her students called her, has been a positive influence on the young people of the Central community for as long as most of them can remember. She co-owned and operated the Young Children’s Achievement Center, a preschool for 3-, 4- and 5-year olds for about 10 years.

5. The Observer (cont.)
Following the untimely death of her husband in 1981, Henricksen earned a master’s degree in special education and went back to the classroom, first in Maquoketa and then in DeWitt, where she taught middle school special ed and at-risk students. Upon earning her administration certificate in 1990, Henricksen became assistant principal at Central Middle School and later split her duties between the middle school and high school. “Watching her own and other youngsters grow up and succeed” has been one of her proudest accomplishments. Her Irish eyes twinkle as she adds, “My boys have jobs and they’re on their own insurance — and they are teaching my grandchildren to be good people.” Her own children aside, Henricksen always has a soft spot in her heart for any program or project that will help lead to student success. “Her contagious enthusiasm can make even a daunting task seem like fun,” DeWitt Area Community Foundation (DACF) treasurer Roger Hill, observes.

6. The Observer (cont.)
She was a co-organizer of the first AfterProm Event back in 1984 — an activity that continues today as a means for keeping students safe as they celebrate. She was a leader in both renovations of the Operahouse Theater — first to provide a venue for movies and stage performances, and some 25 years later, to improve that facility for today’s needs. Henricksen is one of the founders — and now the executive director — of the Central Education Foundation, which seeks to support the district’s students and staff through grants for innovative programs and equipment that are beyond the ability of the school district to fund. She was on the steering committee for the renovation of DeWitt Community Hospital, which now is affiliated with Genesis Health System, and she serves on the DeWitt Community Hospital Foundation’s executive board. Henricksen also serves as executive director of the DeWitt Area Community Foundation, the organization that has provided seed money for many of the worthwhile projects that have taken place in the DeWitt area in recent years, including the STAR (Saber Team for Arts and Recreation) project that will construct a community/school auditorium and gym.

7. The observer (cont.)
She was a tireless cheerleader for passage of the bond issue that funds a large part of the $28 million building project that complements STAR, will create cuttingedge facilities for all Central students and is scheduled for completion in “Patti loves this community and this school district. Her commitment and energy level just amaze me, especially when the cause will enhance the educational experience of our young people,” says STAR project co-chairman Steve Thayer. “She is a life-long educator who continues to truly care about our students.” While one might think it’s time for her to rest, Henricksen believes there are other needs in the community — a public library expansion and additional assisted living and elderly housing facilities and someday, maybe even a swimming pool at the high school, for example. “She’s always looking to the future and what will make the community better,” says Hill. “No one has our community more at heart than Pat.”