What: 15th Annual Simon Benson Awards Dinner

When: Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Dinner

Where: Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Join us for the 15th Annual Simon Benson Awards Dinner honoring Oregon philanthropists and PSU alumni. Named for an early Oregon philanthropist, the Simon Benson Award for Philanthropy was created by Portland State University in 1999 to honor the state's contemporary pioneers of philanthropy. In 2012, PSU introduced its Simon Benson Award for Alumni Achievement to honor outstanding alumni. Donate to the Simon Benson Awards Dinner Scholarship.

Cost: Preferred ticket $500, standard ticket $250, faculty/staff/student ticket $136. Purchase tickets. Dress code, business formal.

Contact: Danielle Cox, danielle@pdx.edu, 503-725-8135

Featured Keynote Speaker

Leon E. Panetta

Throughout his distinguished career of public service, Leon E. Panetta has held a remarkable array of top-level posts, including U.S. Secretary of Defense, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, White House Chief of Staff, Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee. His depth and range of experiences has given him an unparalleled perspective on national and international events. As CIA director, he oversaw the successful U.S. military operation against 9/11 terrorist Osama bin Laden.

2014 Simon Benson Honorees

Simon Benson Award for Philanthropy

Earle M. Chiles

Portland businessman and philanthropist

Simon Benson Award for Philanthropy

Christine and David Vernier

Science education entrepreneurs

Simon Benson Award for Alumni Achievement

Ramon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D., PSU: '84, M.S. '86

University professor and administrator

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