Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., PhD, DMin, '68 MBA, '72 Hon, '75 MEd

Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., whose ties to the University of Portland go back several decades, talks about “a red hot spark of enthusiastic excitement” on The Bluff. The University, he says, blends “important ingredients of faith and education with the qualities of being a whole person.” Pamplin, who earned master’s degrees in business and education from the University, has long been one of Oregon’s most creative and successful businessmen. He’s primarily known for his role as president and CEO of the R.B. Pamplin Corporation, a family-owned company with annual sales of about $650 million. He is the author of some 13 books and founder of the Portland Tribune, Columbian Empire Farms, and Your Northwest retail stores. Furthermore, he has served on Presidential and state commissions, and as chairman of the board of trustees for three colleges and the Portland Art Museum. His generosity over the years to the University of Portland helped establish the Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. School of Business and the Pamplin Professorship.