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Portland State’s College of Urban and Public Affairs has selected its 2007 Urban Pioneer Award honorees. Gretchen Kafoury will receive the Nohad A. Toulan Urban Pioneer Award for Public Service, Gerding Edlen Development is the recipient of the Urban Pioneer Award for Civic Leadership, and The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) will receive the Community Organization Urban Pioneer Award.

The Urban Pioneer Awards honor community leaders who exhibit many of the ideals taught to students and valued by College of Urban and Public Affairs’ faculty and community partners. The 2007 Urban Pioneer Awards event will take place May 17, 2007 at the Hilton Portland (921 S.W. Sixth Ave.) and includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and entertainment. Tickets are $125 and are available by contacting Rod Johnson at 503-725-4044 or rod@pdx.edu. Proceeds benefit scholarships in the College. Grand sponsors of the 2007 Urban Pioneer Awards dinner are Williams & Dame Development, Gerding Edlen Development, and Terry Bean, Bean Investment Real Estate.

Award Recipients
Gretchen Kafoury
Gretchen Kafoury served in the Oregon State Legislature from 1977–1982 as a state representative. From 1985–1990 she served as Multnomah County commissioner for Northeast Portland and from 1991–1998 she was a Portland city commissioner. While serving in these capacities, she worked on many issues including homelessness, criminal justice, health care, teen health centers, mental health, poverty, affordable housing, community development, the arts and civil rights. Kafoury is currently teaching Capstone classes for PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs in Community Development, Homeless Families and Renter’s Rights. Kafoury also serves on the board of National Education for Women's Leadership™ Oregon.

“Gretchen Kafoury is a Portland treasure and her life work embodies the pioneering spirit represented by this award,” said Lawrence Wallack, dean of the College. “Whether it’s affordable housing, equal rights, or any number of other important issues Gretchen has been a champion for fairness and justice.”

Gerding Edlen Development
Gerding Edlen Development provides a comprehensive range of services in all areas of real estate development specializing in sustainable, mixed use urban projects in Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles. Gerding Edlen frequently undertakes projects that enhance the region's economy and quality of life and is a sustaining member of The Natural Step. Gerding Edlen Development is increasingly looking for ways to apply the principles of sustainable development in all of its projects whether those are historic renovations such as the historic Armory or the Blitz Weinhard Brew House, or new high rise projects such as the Meriwether, The Casey and numerous others.

“This firm has helped make Portland one of the best places to live and its greatest contribution has been a commitment to sustainability. Gerding Edlen Development has not only been a pioneer in building a better Portland but, more importantly, in building a more sustainable world,” said Wallack.

The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus is the fourth-oldest gay-identified chorus in the nation. Since 1980, the PGMC has worked to promote social justice to affirm the worth of all people. Known for its musical excellence as well as its outreach, PGMC inspires leadership within the gay community and is an active partner in the regional arts. Community outreach is especially important to the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. By using music as a medium to address philosophical and social barriers, the Chorus' concerts become powerful tools in the effort to spread important messages about diversity. The Chorus is dedicated to reaching the broadest audience possible, performing special concerts throughout both urban and rural Oregon. Membership in the Portland Gay Men's Chorus currently numbers more than 100 men and women, and is open to anyone who supports the Chorus' mission and vision.

“The Gay Men’s Chorus has been a pioneer in fighting discrimination,” said Lawrence Wallack. “Their main weapons have been their music and their commitment. Their work over the past 20-plus years affirms the worth of all people in our community.”

In 2006, Urban Pioneer Awards were given to Mike Lindberg (Nohad A. Toulan Urban Pioneer for Public Service), Williams & Dame Development, Inc. (Urban Pioneer for Civic Leadership) and NECA/IBEW Local 48 (Urban Pioneer Community Organization). For more event information, please contact Rod Johnson at 503-725-4044 or rod@pdx.edu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#07-005)

Source: Trish Hamilton (503-725-5209)
College of Urban and Public Affairs