Charles A. "Chuck" Lakin, an alumnus of the University of Arizona (UA) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)'s B.S. degree, has been involved in Arizona agriculture nearly his entire life, including cattle growing and feeding, plus breeding of Quarter horses and mules. He pioneered the development of the complete-pellet horse feeds for which Lakin Milling Company became known.  A firm believer in education and a strong supporter of youth/educational programs, Chuck Lakin has received numerous awards, among them the University of Arizona's Distinguished Citizen Award. He was also named Agriculturalist of the Year.

Maxine Lakin graduated from UA with a B.A. degree in Education and has maintained a lifelong commitment to improving agricultural practices, education, and the environment. Besides serving as a high school teacher, she has worked in a number of business-related positions, at Standard Oil Company, for the Sacramento County Welfare Office, and for Western Airlines. She was elected to the Phoenix Union High School Board of Education and later appointed as a Commissioner on Arizona 's Environment. She has also held leadership positions on more than a dozen other boards, been recognized in Who's Who in America , and received several awards such as the Lifetime Award from the UA/CALS,the Diana Award and Phoenix "Woman of the Year".

In naming of the Family Plaza , the Lakins have joined forces with others, such as John and Doris Norton, Norman and Frances McClelland, and Terry J. Lundgren, who have lent their names to programs in the School, and whose legacy as UA alumni and business leaders will be permanently recognized by future generations of students and faculty members.

Chuck is an author of a book (2006) entitled "It Didn't Seem Funny at The Time and Other Memories and Adventures."

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