Bob Mercure of Harvey, a 1969 graduate of Marquette Senior High School, looks at the A. Felch Pendill Wall of Excellence at the high school. The Marquette Education Foundation is seeking nominations for the wall, which honors notable graduates. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

MARQUETTE — Students at Marquette Senior High School walk by this wall almost every day during the school year, maybe not realizing its significance. However, should they achieve great things after graduating, their names could make that wall.

Nominations are being solicited for the A. Felch Pendill Wall of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding graduates of Marquette Area Public Schools.

Leading the way is Bob Mercure, a 1969 MSHS graduate, who is a member of the Marquette Education Foundation that seeks nominations for the wall.

The purpose of the wall, he said, is to honor graduates who have distinguished themselves in an occupation or profession, demonstrated service to others through commitment to public or community service and gave time and contributions for a philanthropic ideal.

If this sounds like a lot to achieve, keep in mind graduates have met the criteria, and then some, and future wall members can be either alive or deceased.

Members of the wall include the late C. Fred Rydholm, a noted author and lecturer; Tony Retaskie, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council; and Taimi M. Ranta, an author born in 1916.

“She wrote literature,” Mercure said of Ranta. “She wrote children’s books, and we actually give a scholarship out in her name.”

Philanthropy is an important criteria apart from fame.

“You’re famous, but what did you do to give back?” Mercure said.

Other criteria include: high school accomplishments, community service, education, and special achievements and recognition in employment.

Mercure said the Pendill family gave money for the wall, which began in 2004, but didn’t give money to put up the names.

“When the school board basically started having money issues, when they were tightening up on budgets and were going to spend it on the kids, which they should, the Education Foundation took up the cause,” said Mercure, who pointed out the organization pays for the wall plaques.

According to the foundation. A. Felch Pendill was a 1916 Marquette grad who was an actor, writer and a star end of the 1915 undefeated football team. He married Dorothy Davis in 1921 and had two children, Barbara Pendill Frost and William Grant Pendill.

The elder Pendill later operated a Chicago bedding company, which bore his name, for 20 years. Pendill died in 1965,

Mercure is a retired principal from Wakefield, so he has experience in educational issues.

He eventually moved to Harvey, and has been a foundation member for 10 years.

“We’ve got outstanding people that went through the system,” Mercure said.

The range of people honored on the wall and their interests and specialities are varied.

“You’ve got football,” Mercure said. “You’ve got basketball. You’ve got a microbiologist. You have a doctor. You have a building trades person.”

The appeal for nominations is made annually, with the March 31 deadline allowing enough time to the foundation to process applications, notify recipients if needed and plan an induction ceremony.

Applications can be picked up at the MAPS superintendent’s office, or by calling 906-225-4200 or going online at mapseducationfoundation.weebly.com.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.