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KGI@20 Timeline
1997 presentation

July 10, 1997

W.M. Keck Foundation provides Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) with $50 million founding grant

2000-firsthome

August 1, 2000

Inaugural class enrolls in Master of Bioscience (MBS) program while KGI moves offices from 1263 N. Dartmouth Ave. to 535 Watson Drive

2002 commencement

May 19, 2002

KGI celebrates first commencement with 28 graduates

2003 hank riggs and shelly

July 15, 2003

Founding president Hank Riggs retires and Sheldon Schuster becomes president

2005 patio dedication

October 15, 2005

Alumni Patio dedication ceremony

2006 commencement

August 14, 2006

PhD in Applied Life Sciences program begins as overall enrollment increases to 68

2007 anniversary

May 12, 2007

KGI celebrates its 10th anniversary

2009 ppm and ppc program

August 17, 2009

Postdoctoral Professional Masters (PPM) program begins with its first cohort

2010 keck foundation

July 1, 2010

KGI succeeds in raising a match of $30 million, solidifying its position as a pioneer in graduate education. The W.M. Keck Foundation awarded KGI with a $20 million challenge grant in 2004 and KGI completed the match one year ahead of schedule.

2010 ppm and ppc program

August 16, 2010

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate (PPC) program starts with its first group of students

2014 biocon

January 6, 2014

KGI partners with Biocon to launch the Biocon Academy's 16-week certificate program

2014 white coat ceremony

August 23, 2014

School of Pharmacy celebrates first White Coat Ceremony

2014 minerva

September 8, 2014

Founding class of the Minerva Schools at KGI begins classes

2016 MEng program

August 15, 2016

Master of Engineering (MEng) program begins as overall enrollment for 2016-2017 increases to 517

2016 ribbon cutting

November 15, 2016

KGI celebrates ribbon cutting of 1 North Indian Hill Blvd. building that includes administrative offices and student collaboration space

2017 kgi cafe

March 20, 2017

KGI celebrates ribbon cutting of the KGI Cafe, a new two-story campus hub in building 517

2017 KGI housing

May 11, 2017

KGI breaks ground on the school's first housing complex, a 419-bed facility that is set to open in August 2018

2017 commencement

May 13, 2017

KGI celebrates 16th annual commencement with 175 graduates

2017 20th anniversary

July 1, 2017

KGI begins year-long celebration of 20th anniversary

Inaugural Class of 2002 in Quotes
I am most proud of being a part of the first graduating class because the faculty and students worked together so well that we laid the foundation for what was to come.
alexander wu
Alexander WuAttorney at Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S.
I gained industry experience from KGI through my internship in project management, which gave me my first start in the industry and first job.
jason moon
Jason MoonSenior Clinical Project Manager at Quintiles
At least two companies were spun off from KGI when we graduated and they incorporated a few of my classmates as founders. That was quite special and lived up to the promise of KGI as an innovation hotbed.
Sud Patwardhan
Sud PatwardhanSenior International Engagement Manager at Nicoventures
KGI provided me with the foundational industry knowledge needed to kick off a successful career in Biotech. I owe my current career path to KGI.
Joshua Seno
Joshua SenoDirector, Market Research & Business Analytics at Receptos, Inc
There were so many networking opportunities at KGI that gave me exposure to the industry. Once I got my foot in the door, I was able to showcase what I do.
mary badelt
Mary BadeltAssociate Principal at Suttons Creek, Inc.
A favorite memory of mine was spending hours together working with fellow classmates during TMPs. It was a good experience and showed me a realistic expectation of what work would be like.
Sandy Auyoung
Sandy AuyoungSenior Patent Agent at Sequenom, Inc.
Headlines in Our Anniversary Year
GiveTue KGI

#GiveTueKGI Campaign Exceeds Goal, Raises $45,194 to Support Innovators

KGI concluded its six-week long #GiveTueKGI campaign on Dec. 31, exceeding its goal by 50 percent and raising $45,194 to support student innovators, scientists, pharmacists, leaders, entrepreneurs, pioneers, researchers, and change makers.

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Talia Puzantian

Talia Puzantian Featured in USA Today, Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report

In covering opioid safety, reporter Anna Gorman visited KGI in December to attend a School of Pharmacy class taught by Associate Professor Talia Puzantian.

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TEDxKGI

Speaker Lineup Announced for TEDxKGI Event

KGI has selected its speakers for the TEDxKGI event that will take place on Feb. 2, 2018. The eight speakers will present thought-provoking ideas and inspire individuals to learn new perspectives.

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KGI@20 Events
Jan 25 2018

Virtual Genetics Visitation Day

Interested students can learn more about the two new Master of Science in Human Genetics programs.

View event
Feb 02 2018

TEDxKGI

Listen to inspiring individuals present thought-provoking ideas at KGI's first-ever TEDx event.

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Feb 7-8 2018

Thank a Donor Day

KGI loves our donors! Come show your gratitude by participating in donor thank you activities and get KGI freebies!

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Mar 23 2018

SALS Visitation Day

Learn about our many programs in the School of Applied Life Sciences.

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May 12 2018

KGI 2018 Commencement

Join KGI for its 17th Annual Commencement Ceremony, featuring the first-ever School of Pharmacy graduating class!

View event
Celebrate on Social Media with #KGI20

Alzheimer’s research at #KGI Research Retreat. #gradschool #alzheimersresearch

Today our team presented at our corporate sponsor for our Team Master’s Project. It was truly incredible to show Medtronic how hard we have worked over the last 5 months and to hear that they are happy with what we have done so far! Can’t wait to come back in the spring with our final presentation! #keckgrad

Attention all post docs! KGI and The American Society for Cell Biology are offering a one-week course from July 8-14 titled “Managing Science in Biotech.” The course introduces PhD scientists to the competencies they need to thrive in industry, and exposes them to the culture and infrastructure of life sciences companies.

Biopharmaceutical processing and biomanufacturing – it’s a highly specialized area, requiring highly specialized individuals. KGI’s MEng program is designed to prepare high-potential students for a career in this growing niche.

Earlier this week, a group of #KGI students met with Dr. Barbara Hamkalo, who is an emeritus professor @UCIrvine and a #KGI scholarship donor!

With an impressive career in teaching and research, Dr. Hamkalo is helping #KGI with its #WomenInSTEM initiatives. Thank you Barbara!

Happy #NationalPharmacistDay! We are incredibly proud of our School of Pharmacy students and the positive impact they have on the community! In May, we will celebrate the inaugural #KGI PharmD graduating class.

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Support KGI@20 and Our Students

Celebrate 20 years of translational research and discovery! Tax-deductible gifts of all sizes immediately impact our students and campus. Click here to support KGI now.

When you give to KGI, you become a partner in our mission to educate the best and brightest students to be leaders in the life sciences industry. Whether it be in the business of bioscience, medical devices and diagnostics, clinical and regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development, bioprocessing, or another field in the life sciences, the work our students do upon graduation contributes to the betterment of human life.