A record-breaking day!
With 93 students set to receive degrees on Saturday, May 12, KGI is preparing to celebrate the largest commencement in its 15-year history. Graduates from the Master of Bioscience (MBS), Postdoctoral Professional Masters (PPM), Postbaccalaureate Premedical Certificate (PPC) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) will be honored at what represents the 11th commencement ceremony for KGI. The number and scope of degrees awarded at this year's ceremony is indicative of the enormous growth the institute has experienced since its inaugural commencement in 2002 when 28 students were awarded MBS degrees.
"I think the whole campus looks forward to this day. To see our graduates on stage really reflects how far we've come as an institution and how limitless the future is, both for our graduates individually and for KGI," President Sheldon Schuster said.
Robert Curry, chair of the KGI board of trustees, who will be handing each student his or her diploma, agreed and added that commencement is his favorite day of the year.
"We at the institute are sending forth some of the most well trained and the most caring young people," Curry said. "All I ask of our graduates is that they always make a positive difference in the world, and that, as they progress and succeed in the world, they help to provide resources for the next generation of youth."
A founding board member of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for stem cell research, Tina S. Nova, PhD, will be the featured speaker at this year's ceremony. Dr. Nova is the president and co-founder of Genoptix, Inc., a Novartis company focused on developing and commercializing evidence-based diagnostic tests to improve physician's ability to optimize patient outcomes. She also serves on the board of directors of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and is a former chair of the board of directors of BIOCOM, a life science association representing approximately 500 member companies.
Two pivotal members of the KGI community will also be honored at this year's event, James Cregg and Jack Stark. Retiring after 12 years on the faculty, James Cregg, whose research is aimed at understanding and improving the P. pastoris expression system, will be KGI's first professor emeritus. Stark, who will be receiving an honorary degree, is a trustee emeritus. In the past, Stark has served as KGI's board chair and vice chair and has played a vital role in the institute's overall success since its founding. He is also president emeritus of Claremont McKenna College.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the event. However, for the second year in a row those who are unable to attend can watch the live stream of the full commencement day program here.