Tim Boyle

Columbia Sportswear's chief executive officer Tim Boyle will receive an honorary doctorate and deliver the address at the University's afternoon Commencement ceremony. A Portland native, he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1967 and earned his a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1971. That same year, he stepped into help run Columbia Sportswear when his father, Neal Boyle, the company president since 1964, died suddenly of a heart attack. Together, he and his mother, Gert Boyle, reshaped the small and struggling Portland-based sportswear company into what is now a globally recognized brand with net sales of more than $2.3 billion. Tim Boyle and his wife, Mary, are also known for their commitment to and support of causes in fields as wide-ranging as scientific research, education, and the arts. They were instrumental in the success of Oregon Health Science University’s Knight Cancer Challenge; they have supported such local Catholic institutions as St. Mary’s Academy and University of Portland, as well as Tim Boyle’s alma mater, University of Oregon, and have been generous benefactors to Portland Center Stage. Tim Boyle also serves on the board of directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company and Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. His business acumen and belief in the efforts of other Oregonians has had a far-reaching impact in this state and beyond.