2023 Honored Citizen - A Night to Remember

Celebrating the Legacy of Hermann Colas, Jr.

On Tuesday, October 10th, community members from the architecture, engineering, and construction industry gathered at the Oregon Convention Center for AFO's annual Honored Citizen celebration. This year’s event was particularly meaningful as it celebrated the 30th anniversary of the award and honored a highly impactful member of our community, Hermann Colas, Jr.

The evening was deeply moving, featuring tributes of many friends and family members of Mr. Colas that described how his determination and grit led to a display of representation and leadership in the industry.

Hermann Colas, Jr. is our first contractor honoree, and his impact is known throughout the city of Portland and state of Oregon. We are so pleased to honor his legacy through our most prestigious annual award.

Thanks to the contributions of our community, we raised over $268,000 to support our dynamic programming and internal operations. With your help, we are continuing our work to bring more voices to the design table.

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A Video Tribute to Hermann Colas, Jr.

by Jacob Pander with Collaborator Studios

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Announcing the

Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship

We are ecstatic to announce a new AFO scholarship established in Hermann's name, funded by and in partnership with NAMC-Oregon - the Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship!

First announced at our 2023 Honored Citizen celebration, this scholarship for Oregon construction and engineering students is an investment in emerging professionals and an opportunity to expand access, diversity, and excellence in the industry.

30 Years of Honored Citizen

Over the past 30 years, AFO has identified individuals and organizations that have made an impact on the state of Oregon’s designed and built community. From philanthropists to advocacy workers to community organizations, it is clear that the designed and built ecosystem in Oregon does not exist in isolation. The collection of these honorees allows us to view the deep value that our expansive community gives to the growth and excellence of our state.

Download the 30 Year Booklet