Paul Hawken

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.”

Pic of Paul Hawken 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 more information about Paul Hawken, visit http://www.paulhawken.com.

Shelly Brady

Shelly Brady is earning a Bachelor of Science with a major in Arts and Letters. Shelly was born in Portland and has lived here for most of her life. She is the proud mother of six children ranging in age from 9 to 23. Shelly also has a 6-month old grandchild.

Besides being a student, Shelly has been her family’s caretaker, chef, personal shopper, chauffeur, secretary, record keeper, teacher, mentor, custodian, disciplinarian, CFO and event planner. Shelly has dreamed of graduating from college since she was a child and instilled the value of education upon her children.

Since 1980, Shelly has been the personal assistant to Bill Porter, a salesman with cerebral palsy. Based on her experience with Mr. Porter, Shelly wrote a New York Times bestselling book in 2002 titled Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter. The book was made into an Emmy Award winning movie titled Door to Door starring William H. Macy and Kira Sedgwick.

Shelly recently finished writing a children’s book and hopes to continue writing after graduation. She is considering attending graduate school at Portland State University in the future. Shelly is grateful for the support of her husband and children and would also like to thank all of her professors at Portland State University.

In addition to earning her degree with a 4.0 in her coursework at Portland State University, Shelly celebrated 25 years of marriage on May 5, 2009 and just ran her first marathon with her husband John, a Portland State University alumnus.

Ni'Cole Sims

Ni’Cole Sims is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in four majors: Communication, Psychology, Social Science, and Arts and Letters. She is also earning a minor in Black Studies. Ni’Cole was born in Portland and has lived here her whole life. She began her career in higher education at Portland Community College and transferred to Portland State University three years ago.

While raising two boys – 7-year old Malik, and a 4-year old A.J. –Ni'Cole demonstrated leadership at Portland State University as a teaching assistant for four different professors, as a mentor for the TRiO program, and as a reading tutor through the S.M.A.R.T. program. While earning her degree, Ni’Cole was an active volunteer at her children’s schools.

In 2005, the Ford Family Foundation awarded Ni’Cole the Ford Opportunity Scholar Award. Ni’Cole was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, an all-discipline honor society, in 2007, and in 2008 was inducted into the national communication honor society, Lambda Phi Eta.

Ni’Cole is the first person in her immediate family to finish high school – let alone college! Ni’Cole’s biggest inspiration has been her mother who taught her that hard work pays off. Ni’Cole’s mother worked two jobs so that her children would have a better future than she did.

Besides her mother, Ni’Cole thanks her children, their father, the Ford Family Foundation, and all of the faculty, staff, and students at Portland State University for helping and inspiring her to complete her college degrees. Ni'Cole's G.P.A. while at Portland State University so far is a 3.93. She will enroll in Portland State University’s PACE program this fall and will undoubtedly continue her academic excellence. Ni’Cole hopes to, one day, work in higher education, perhaps as a Provost or University President.