At the 1919 unveiling of the thirteen-foot bronze sculpture of The Pioneer on the UO campus, benefactor Joseph Teal said, "The pioneer represents all that is noblest and best in our history." And so it is with these three—Lloyd Powell '55 and Phyllis '56 and Andrew Berwick '55—honored for their accomplishments, dedication, and pioneering spirit at the Pioneer Award Gala on May 16. For the last thirty-five years, the gala has recognized leaders and risk takers who have achieved success in business, philanthropy, and community service. At the same time, the gala's attendees at The Nines hotel in Portland contribute to the Pioneer Award Presidential Scholarship Endowment, which has enabled twenty-three of Oregon's brightest high school students to attend the UO and excel in the pursuit of higher education since 1993. The 2014 Pioneers, whose service to the UO spans six decades, should inspire all students—past, present, and future. Powell played football and ran track for the Ducks, participated in ROTC, and graduated in business administration. He went on to found Lloyd Powell & Associates Inc., one of the Northwest's top property development firms. He and his son, Peter, started Powell Development Company, which builds, develops, and manages commercial real estate properties in Bellevue, Washington. Hayward Field's Powell Plaza is named for the Powell family, whose contributions helped create the field's plaza entryway. Powell has also supported improvements to the UO's Charles H. Lundquist College of Business and other ventures. The UO recognized him with the prestigious Presidential Medal in 1997. The Berkwicks met while they were active students at the UO. She chaired the dance committee; he was on the board of the Erb Memorial Union. He was a Beta Theta Pi; she was an Alpha Chi Omega. Phyllis taught and dedicated herself to music and helping children through church, Scouts, and school-parent groups. Andrew founded Berwick-Pacific Corp., a real estate development company in San Mateo, California. He's one of the founders of Robert Half International, a former mayor of Hillsborough, California, and a UO Foundation trustee. The Berwicks established the university's Richard C. Williams Endowed Student Leadership Fund, which combines the academic theory of leadership with skills gained from working inside and outside of the classroom. They've also been generous donors to the Oregon Bach Festival and received the festival's highest honor, the Saltzman Award. —Cheri O'Neil '79

• published: 26 Jun 2014
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