News

Portland State University is honoring seven outstanding Portland State alumni, faculty and friends (listed below) for success in their field and for their dedication and continued support of both the University and the Portland community at the annual PSU Salutes ceremony. The 17th annual PSU Salutes takes place Thursday, May 11, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, (1825 SW Broadway). Tickets are $25 and available by calling 503-725-4949.

Outstanding Alumni Awards
Mike Richardson ’77 BS, Art
An Outstanding Alumnus Award will be given to Mike Richardson for his distinguished career in the comic book and film industries and creativity as a graphic artist and entrepreneur. In 1986, Richardson founded and became the president of Dark Horse Comics, now the third largest comic-book publisher in the U.S. and recognized as the world’s leading publisher of licensed comics materials. He also founded the production company Dark Horse Entertainment in 1992, with The Mask, starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz, as the company’s first major film. Mike Richardson is a major supporter of PSU athletics, the Branford P. Millar Library and consistently credits Portland State when talking about his success in later life.

Milt Smith ’62 BS, Physics
An Outstanding Alumnus Award will be given to Milt Smith for his distinguished career, entrepreneurial vision and generous support in building a strong University and urban community. Smith is the president of Smith Investments, an investment and accounting firm. He is a well-respected leader in Oregon’s high-tech community with impressive credentials in technology, law and management. Smith served in a key founding role at Floating Point, a spin-off company of Tektronix, and is a current board member for the Swan Island Network, Inc., a Portland company involved with homeland security, defense, and public safety at both the federal and local levels. Milt Smith has a strong interest in PSU Physics and Engineering and has provided support for these and other programs at Portland State.

Outstanding Friend of Athletics
Dick Powers
The Outstanding Friend of Athletics Award will be given to Dick Powers for his extraordinary service to Portland State University and his commitment to athletic excellence. For the past 17 years, Powers has served as a volunteer team photographer, with hundreds of his photos used each year by the Vikings in programs, media guides and other communications. Powers is a veteran of three decades of military service in a decorated career. He was present at Vanport as a Multnomah County reserve deputy assisting flood victims.

President’s Award for University Advancement
Margaret Dobson
The President’s Award for University Advancement will be given to Margaret Dobson in recognition of her long career of exceptional service, advocacy and support for the University. Dobson has been involved with Portland State throughout its 60-year history. In 1951, while attending the Vanport extension center, Dobson was invited to play on the men’s baseball team, where she earned a varsity letter and a notice in "Time" magazine. Dobson also competed in nine world softball tournaments, and was listed by "Sports Illustrated" as one of Oregon’s 50 greatest sports figures of the 20th century and named to the National Softball Hall of Fame. In 1984 Margaret Dobson was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. She is a professor emerita of Health and Physical Education and a member of the Viking Backer Advisory Council, a volunteer board raising support for Portland State athletics. Throughout the years Margaret Dobson has been a generous donor to Vikings athletics scholarships and programs, along with campus-wide projects.

President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy
Jim Rippey
The President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy will be given to Jim Rippey for his major philanthropic leadership, generous contributions and volunteer involvement that have focused on supporting promising students and creating an environment for academic success. Rippey is the founder of the Hopes and Dreams Scholarship for first-generation college students, lead donor to the Future of Promise scholarships program for high-need students at Portland’s Roosevelt High School and a member of the PSU President’s Circle, which supports student scholarships, faculty work and program excellence. In addition, Jim Rippey is a donor to PSU’s new Northwest Center for Science, Engineering and Technology building, sponsor of the Northwest Science Expo and a Portland State University Foundation board member.

Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award
Joan Shireman
The Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award will be given to Joan Shireman in honor of her inspiring approach to education and her devotion to meeting the needs of students. Shireman has been a faculty member since 1985 and is professor emerita for the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). She created and was the first director of the Ph.D. program in Social Work and Social Research, and in Child Welfare. Shireman also developed academic programs and support for non-traditional students and students of color and founded the Charles and Joan Shiremen Endowed Scholarship in the GSSW for students interested in careers in public child welfare or juvenile justice. Over the past 20 years, she has volunteered and been a board member at Friendly House in Portland and is a board member for the Citizens Review Board, which reviews the cases of children placed in foster care.

Special Recognition
Distinguished Faculty Career Award
Michael Reardon
The Distinguished Faculty Career Award is a special tribute to Michael Reardon in recognition of the significant role he has played at Portland State. For the past 40 years, Reardon has served Portland State as a History professor and administrator. From 1992–99, Reardon served as provost and vice president and again as interim provost for the 2004–05 academic year. He was an early pioneer of international advancement and recruitment and remains instrumental in today’s international recruitment and alumni outreach efforts. Reardon is a nationally recognized teacher, scholar and innovative administrator. He is the recipient of the George C. Hoffman Award for Faculty Excellence and the Mosser Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Nationally, he received a PEW Leadership Award for Transformation of Undergraduate Education and a Kellogg Award for Leadership in Institutional Transformation.

Portland State University, Oregon's only urban university is the largest and most diverse in the state system. The University's position in Oregon's economic and cultural center allows for deep community engagement and the creation of partnerships with hundreds of organizations throughout the region—partnerships that give PSU students valuable learning opportunities as they solve real-world problems of business and community. Portland State offers more than 100 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificates and continuing education programs. PSU serves more students and confers more master's degrees annually than any other Oregon university.

For Immediate Release (#06-075)

Source: Mary Coniglio (503-725-5073)
PSU Alumni Relations