Basketball great and successful businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the featured speaker at Portland State University’s annual Simon Benson Awards Dinner on March 19, 2007. This year’s dinner honors philanthropists Sharon and Robert Miller and Jane and Robert Morrow.

In its eighth year, the Simon Benson Awards Dinner is Portland’s premiere philanthropic event, celebrating Pacific Northwest residents who are pioneers of philanthropy. Named after one of Oregon’s philanthropic pioneers, the award recognizes individuals who are visionaries and have generously given time and/or money to support the lives of generations of Oregonians.

The gala event will be held at the Oregon Convention Center (777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) and includes a reception, dinner and entertainment. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. The event will be emceed by Jeff Gianola and Kelley Day of Portland’s KOIN-6 News, media sponsor of the event. Sponsorships, tables and individual tickets for the event are now available to the public; call Meg Chuprevich, event director, at 503-725-8212, or e-mail events@pdx.edu for more information. Presenting sponsors are Wells Fargo, the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Jim Pattison. Other sponsors include Rite-Aid Corporation, Gerding/Edlen Development Company, Julie and Peter Stott, the Donald Family Foundation and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Background on Speaker and Award Recipients

Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Named one of the National Basketball Association’s “50 Greatest Players” and enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Johnson has redefined himself as a businessman who focuses his efforts on revitalizing neglected communities.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson has dedicated his retirement from the NBA to helping underserved communities and minorities nationwide. Johnson is chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Development Corporation, dedicated to urban revitalization by providing entertainment complexes, restaurants and retail centers in underserved communities. Johnson partnered with Canyon Capital Realty Advisors to form Canyon Johnson Urban Fund, the country’s largest private real estate fund. The company has raised over $900 million and has acquired 24 properties to assist in the revitalization of underserved communities. Johnson is also Starbuck’s only joint venture partner, with 106 stores to date.

Magic Johnson Enterprises recently launched the Magic Johnson Travel Group, the first multicultural home-based travel agent initiative and franchise network designed to cultivate growth in the minority travel market and develop entrepreneurs from urban America. Shortly after retiring from the NBA in 1991, Johnson started the Magic Johnson Foundation, which is committed to improving the quality of life for people residing in urban communities. The Magic Johnson Foundation’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program has distributed over 800 college scholarships to deserving minority students.

During his NBA career, Johnson earned five championship rings, led the Los Angeles Lakers to nine appearances in the NBA finals and was a member of the original Dream Team, winning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He also won three MVP awards and played in 12 NBA All-Star Games.

Sharon and Robert Miller
Many youth and human services organizations throughout the region benefit from the generosity and volunteer leadership of Sharon and Robert “Bob” Miller. Bob, current CEO of Albertsons and former chairman and CEO of Fred Meyer, and Sharon generously support United Way, Metropolitan Family Service, Self-Enhancement, Inc., American Diabetes Association, Dougy Center, Providence Child Center, OHSU Center for Women’s Health, Assistance League of Portland and Portland State University.

Jane and Robert Morrow
Portland State alumni Jane ’65, MS ’77, and Bob Morrow ’63, are tireless volunteers and philanthropists committed to helping young people realize their full potential. Bob, a bankruptcy trustee, and Jane, a retired teacher, actively support a wide range of Portland State programs such as Viking Athletics and the Helen Gordon Child Development Center. The Morrows also are significant donors to the Oregon Humane Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life.

Proceeds from the Simon Benson Awards Dinner support the Fund for Portland State, which includes scholarship support for students to help them prepare for future success.

Past keynote speakers include Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Walter Cronkite, Madeleine Albright, Rudolph Giuliani, Bob Dole, Mario Cuomo and Colin Powell.

Past award recipients include Gary '67 and Barbara Ames '68, Ken and Marta Thrasher '90, Thomas B. and Caroline P. Stoel, Patricia Wessinger, Elizabeth "Becky" Johnson, James F. Miller, Jeannine B. Cowles, Ernest C. Swigert, Peter and Julie Stott, Duncan and Cindy Campbell, Mary and Maurie Clark, Don Frisbee, Paul Bragdon and Jean Vollum.

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