KGI Community Mourns the Loss of Bioscience Industry Icon George Rathmann
- © Photo by courtesy of Amgen Inc.
KGI Community Mourns the Loss of Bioscience Industry Icon George Rathmann
Amgen founder George Rathmann, who is widely credited with being one of the creators of the bioscience industry, died on April 22 at his Palo Alto home. Since its establishment in 1997, KGI has shared Rathmann's vision of unlocking the power and potential of life sciences for the benefit of society. In fact, as an institution dedicated to preparing its students to become bioscience industry leaders, KGI finds a special connection to his legacy. Rathmann's remarkable combination of scientific knowledge, entrepreneurial zeal and humanism have made him a role model and source of inspiration to many in the KGI community, including former Amgen Executive Vice President of Operations and KGI Trustee Dennis Fenton who first met Rathmann in 1981 as a young bench scientist.
"George was a visionary leader whose contribution to the biotechnology industry cannot be overstated. His vision and principles are the foundation that Amgen was built upon," Fenton said.
As a tribute to Rathmann, whom they refer to as "the man who changed their lives," Fenton and his wife Linda honored KGI with a gift of $1.75 million, which along with a $750,000 gift from the W.M. Keck Foundation established a permanent endowment of $2.5 million for the George B. and Joy Rathmann Professor and Director of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center. At the time, Fenton cited the connection between KGI's mission to create the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs and Rathmann's pioneering role as a scientist entrepreneur as the inspiration for his generous gift.
"It is our sincere hope that as KGI alumni continue to forge their careers they will serve as a tribute to George Rathmann's extraordinary life and his many remarkable accomplishments," said KGI President Sheldon M. Schuster.