Longtime University of Oregon supporters will be honored Friday night at the annual Pioneer Awards Gala at the Nines Hotel in Portland.

Charles and Gwendolyn Lillis are loyal Ducks and have been active UO volunteers and supporters. They received the UO Presidential Medal in 2001 and their leadership gifts made construction of the Lillis Business Complex possible.

Gwendolyn Lillis has been a UO Foundation trustee since 2003, serving as board chair from 2008-09. She is a former member of the Lundquist College of Business Advisory Council, UO Provost’s Advisory Council and Campaign Leadership Committee. She currently serves as chair of the business school’s Board of Advisors.

Charles Lillis was a founding investor of the Lundquist College of Business Finance and Securities Analysis Center (FSAC) and served as a member of the LCB Dean’s Business Advisory Council. He received the 2008 Business Hall of Fame Award and is a current member of the FSAC Advisory Board.

The late Art DeMuro founded Venerable Properties in Portland, which redeveloped the White Stag Block, home to the UO in Portland. His company seeks to preserve Oregon’s history and heritage through revitalization and redevelopment of commercial real estate. DeMuro made a generous donation in 2012 to advance the university’s Historic Preservation Program.

The UO Pioneer Award was created in 1979 to honor select individuals of outstanding character who have taken risks that led to great success in business, philanthropy and community service.  Proceeds from the gala benefit the Presidential Scholarship Endowment at the UO.

More information about the Pioneer Award is available online.

- by Heidi Hiaasen, UO Portland