History Makers

First awarded in 2009, the History Makers Medal is regarded as one of Oregon’s most prestigious honors and is presented annually by OHS to individuals and organizations that are positively shaping the history, culture, and landscape of Oregon.
In order to provide our current History Makers the special evening they deserve, we’ve decided to postpone this year’s event and celebrate the honorees in 2021. The next Oregon History Makers Medals will be presented at a dinner at the Portland Art Museum on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
Proceeds from the History Makers Dinner support every aspect of the Oregon Historical Society’s important work to collect, preserve, and interpret Oregon’s past. If you were planning to attend in 2020, we hope you’ll instead consider making a donation to the OHS Pandemic Survival Fund to help offset the cost of cancelling our biggest fundraising event. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available for the 2021 event. For more information, please contact Molly Cochran at 503.306.5237 or molly.cochran@ohs.org.
The 2021 Oregon History Makers Medal recipients are:
Lillian Pitt
ACCLAIMED ARTIST
Lillian Pitt has created a lifetime of works in a variety of media, including clay, bronze, wearable art, prints, glass, and jewelry. Born and raised on the Warm Springs reservation, with ancestors who have lived in and near the Columbia Gorge for over 10,000 years, Lillian's emphasis is on creating contemporary fine art pieces that honor the history and legends of her people. Her works are regularly exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally and internationally.
Punit Renjen
VISIONARY BUSINESS LEADER
Born and raised in India, Punit Renjen came to Oregon in 1984, on a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to Willamette University. After receiving a Master's in Management, he began his career at Deloitte. In 2015, he became the company's global CEO, and the first Asian born person to head one of the world's largest professional services firms. In 2018, Punit launched WorldClass, Deloitte's global initiative to advance education and skills for communities at risk, beginning with girls and women in India.
Dr. Geraldine Richmond
RENOWNED SCIENTIST AND EDUCATOR
Dr. Geraldine Richmond is the Presidential Chair in Science and a chemistry professor at the University of Oregon. She has served on the National Science Board since 2012, and was awarded a National Medal of Science for her fundamental research on the chemistry and physics of complex surfaces and interfaces, which is relevant to energy production and environmental remediation. Throughout her career, Dr. Richmond has worked to promote women in science around the globe.
The Greenbrier Companies
INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY
What began in 1919 as a wire wheel manufacturer, founded by brothers Chester and Alvin Gunderson, has since grown into a group of companies that is one of the leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of railroad car equipment in North America and Europe, and one of the world's foremost manufacturers of ocean-going barges. As the fourth largest publicly-traded company based in Oregon, Greenbrier also boasts over 1,100 employees in Oregon and more than 16,000 worldwide.
Who are Oregon History Makers?
History Makers are contemporary individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in their field of work or service during their lifetime. These individuals and organizations, with ties to Oregon, are making history through scientific discovery and exploration, innovation in business, communications, the arts, or service in their communities. Whether they were born here, lived here, or work here, Oregon History Makers represent the best of what the state has to offer.
Past History Makers
2009
Gert
Boyle visionary businesswoman
Dr.
Brian Druker innovative oncologist
Michael
Powell iconic bookseller
2010
David Adelsheim father of the Oregon wine industry
Jean Auel
best-selling author
Mercy Corps international charitable organization
Medical Teams International global human services organization
2011
Ken & Joan Austin innovative entrepreneurs
Allyn Ford timber industry leader
Dr. Albert Starr pioneering cardiovascular surgeon
Gus Van Sant award-winning film director
2012
Gerry Frank entrepreneur & public servant
Harry Glickman father of the Portland Trail Blazers
Kathryn Jones Harrison influential tribal leader
Norma Paulus ground-breaking legislator
2013
Bernie & Bobbie Foster trailblazing
publishers
Melvin "Pete" Mark businessman,
civic leader, & philanthropist
Pendleton Woolen Mills iconic Oregon business
Alberto Salazar legendary
distance runner & coach
2014
Thomas Lauderdale Oregon's musical ambassador to the world
Gov. Barbara Roberts pioneering public servant
Walter J. Urba, M.D. Ph.D. cancer warrior
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort golf as it was meant to be
2015
Ann Curry
broadcast journalist
Peggy Fowler glass ceiling breaker
George Puentes business executive & philanthropist
Les Schwab Tire Centers iconic Oregon business
2016
David Hume Kennerly photojournalist
Hoffman Construction largest general contractor in the Pacific
Northwest
Dr. Jane Lubchenco environmental scientist & marine ecologist
Phil Knight visionary business executive & philanthropist
2017
Dr. Nathalie Johnson surgical oncologist
Nicholas Kristof Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Bill Schonely voice of the Portland Trail Blazers
Reser's Fine Foods iconic Oregon business
2018
Stacy Allison, adventurer, author, and businesswoman
Edward “Ed” Ray, transformational higher education leader
Bill Stoller, visionary business leader and philanthropist
Bob’s Red Mill, revolutionizing the food industry
2019
Andy Bryant, tech industry visionary
Gale Castillo, pathbreaking business and community leader
Colin O’Brady, athlete, adventurer, educator
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, world-renowned theater

2019 History Makers

2019 History Makers Gala

2018 History Makers

2018 History Makers Gala

2018 History Makers Gala

2016 History Makers

2015 History Makers
George Puentes, Ann Curry, Peggy Fowler, Les Schwab Tire Centers

2014 History Makers
Thomas
Lauderdale

2014 History Makers
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Not shown: Gov. Barbara Roberts, Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D.

2013 History Makers
Bernie & Bobbie Foster
Not shown: Melvin "Pete" Mark, Alberto Salazar, Pendleton Woolen Mills

2012 History Makers
Gerry Frank

2012 History Makers
Kathryn Jones Harrison

2012 History Makers
Norma Paulus
Not shown: Harry
Glickman

2011 History Makers
Ken
& Joan Austin

2011 History Makers
Allyn Ford

2011 History Makers
Gus Van Sant

2011 History Makers
Albert
Starr, M.D.

2010 History Makers
Jean Auel

2010 History Makers
David Adelshiem

2010 History Makers
Medical Teams International

2010 History Makers
Mercy Corps

2009 History Makers
Gert Boyle
Not shown: Brian
Druker, M.D., Michael
Powell