The first reaction was shock, then a mixture of humility and surprise, followed by honor.
Gale Castillo ’73 felt a range of emotions upon being informed she would be one of four 2019 recipients of the Oregon Historical Society’s History Makers Medal. Past awardees include Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Columbia Sportswear board chair Gert Boyle and filmmaker Gus Van Sant. This year’s winners will be honored at a ceremony in October.
Considering all she has accomplished – Castillo is co-founder and president of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, the largest in the Northwest, as well as co-owner and president of Cascade Centers Inc. – the Oakland, California, native couldn’t help but reflect on where it all began. In McMinnville, nearly 50 years ago.
“I had lots of opportunities,” says Castillo, a former Linfield trustee and the 2015 Commencement speaker. (Castillo is the current board chair at Portland State University, her other alma mater.) “What I tell people is you can have lots of opportunities, but you have to step up to them. I did step up and continued to learn and grow. Linfield was my first big stepping stone.”
She encourages Linfield students to do what they love, and success will follow.
“It has to be something you really care about,” she says, “to engage others to help support whatever vision you’re creating.”
– Jeffrey Martin
