Portland, Ore. -- (Dec. 21, 2010) - Continuing the tradition of recognizing individuals who are leaders in business, philanthropy and community service, the University of Oregon announces Ron Peterson and Pat Kilkenny as the 2011 Pioneer Award recipients. The two will be honored during a gala Friday, May 13, at The Nines Hotel in Portland.

"Ron and Pat embody a pioneering and visionary spirit, taking risks and having the perseverance to create a new path," said UO President Richard Lariviere. "Along the way, they have served as leaders in business, advocates in the community and friends to the university. We are thrilled to honor them with the Pioneer Award."

Ron Peterson is a 1949 graduate of the UO in accounting. He and his wife, Patricia, founded Peterson Properties in 1955, a real estate investment and management company. They formed Security Investment Company in 1995. The Petersons have a long history of philanthropy and community service in organizations including American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, Mercy Corps, Portland State University Foundation and William Temple House. He served as District 5100 Governor of Rotary International. He is a member of the Charles Lundquist College of Business Inner Circle at the UO and the Arnold Bennett Hall Society. He was awarded a Presidential Medal in 2004.

Pat Kilkenny, a native of Heppner, Ore., served as the University of Oregon's 10th athletic director from March 2007 to June 2009. During his tenure, he helped the UO gain a higher profile on the national stage, reinstated baseball, built a new baseball stadium and added women's competitive cheer as a new UO sport. He led efforts to build a $200 million basketball arena and to create a Legacy Fund of private gifts to take Duck athletics from a self-sufficient to self-sustaining budget. Pat and his wife, Stephanie, founded the Lucky Duck Foundation. Kilkenny has supported a variety of organizations both philanthropically and through community service. The organizations include: Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, Direction Service, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, St. Baldrick's, St. Vincent de Paul, San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, San Diego State University and San Diego YMCA.

Peterson and Kilkenny were selected by Lariviere and a special committee to receive the Pioneer Award. The award dates back to 1979, with Lynn Frohnmayer receiving the previous award in 2009.

Tables and sponsorships are available for the Pioneer Award Gala. Proceeds from the event benefit the Presidential Scholarship Endowment at the University of Oregon. The endowment enables the state's brightest students to excel in their pursuit of higher education.

For more information about tables and sponsorships, contact Kristen Norquist at the University of Oregon in Portland, 503-412-0461 or norquist@uoregon.edu

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 63 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Heidi Hiaasen, UO in Portland communication, 541-412-3714, heidih@uoregon.edu

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