(Portland,
Ore.) April 29, 2009 – Paul
Hawken, a founder of Smith & Hawken and an internationally recognized
proponent of sustainable business practices, will deliver the Spring 2009 Commencement
address and receive an honorary degree Saturday, June 13, 2009.
“Paul Hawken’s dedication to sustainability mirrors the
principles and commitment of Portland
State,” said Wim Wiewel,
president of PSU. “His achievements and expertise make him an ideal selection
as our Spring 2009 Commencement speaker and we are honored that he has accepted
our invitation.”
Portland State's spring commencement ceremonies will take
place Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 10 a.m. in Portland’s Rose Garden Arena. For additional
information, members of the media should contact the Office of University
Communications at 503-725-3711. Students and families needing additional
information should visit www.pdx.edu/commencement.
Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and
bestselling author who has dedicated his life to sustainability. In particular,
his life’s work has focused on exploring and changing the relationship between
business and the environment. During his career, Hawken has founded or
co-founded numerous ecologically minded companies, written and taught about the
impact of commerce on living systems, and consulted with governments and
corporations on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental
policy.
A prolific author, Hawken’s work has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Christian Science Monitor, Mother Jones, Boston Globe, and numerous other publications. He’s also the author
of six books, which have been published in over 50 countries in 27 languages
and have sold over two million copies. President Bill Clinton called the book
that Hawken co-authored with Amory Lovins, Natural
Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, one of the five most
important books in the world today. Hailed by both Utne Reader and the International Society of Industrial Design as
a “visionary,” Hawken has received frequent recognition and numerous awards
over the years for his entrepreneurial, environmental, and artistic
contributions to society.
For a photo or more information about Paul Hawken, visit
http:// www.paulhawken.com.
Portland State
University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for over 27,000
undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon,
one of the nation’s most livable cities, the University’s innovative approach
to education combines academic rigor in the classroom with field-based experiences
through internships and classroom projects with community partners. The
University’s 49-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State’s
commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125
bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the
curriculum. PSU’s motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” inspires the teaching
and research of an accomplished faculty whose work and students span the globe.
