KGI and City of Claremont Celebrate Oasis KGI Commons Ribbon Cutting

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In a picture-perfect setting, the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) and City of Claremont celebrated the Oasis KGI Commons Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019.

Oasis KGI Commons is KGI’s first-ever housing complex. It features 419 beds, a pool, fitness center, 10,000-square feet of classroom space, the Gayle Carson Riggs Student Center, and the Medical and Assistive Device Lab.

A crowd of more than 200 people gathered to enjoy Wednesday’s festivities, which included the formal ribbon cutting, food from Claremont Village vendors, a DJ in the pool area, and the work of a whiteboard artist.

Under clear skies with the sun shining through the Oasis KGI Commons courtyard, KGI Student Government President Nina Kar started the ceremony.

In her opening comments, Kar said: “As students, we spend a great deal of time on-campus, from early morning group project meetings to late-night studying.”

“This transition from a commuter campus to a residential campus has strengthened our tight-knit community.”

During the next speech, KGI Board Chair Jim Widergren described the transformation of KGI, which was founded in 1997.

“I like to think of the Oasis complex as a clear indication that we are leaving the start-up phase in the life of KGI,” he said, “and transforming into a positive growth engine for our students’ future, a growth engine for health and science graduate education, a growth engine for The Claremont Colleges, and a growth engine for the South Village area of Claremont.”

KGI President Sheldon Schuster’s remarks provided a glimpse into the future of South Village with Oasis KGI Commons serving as a key landmark in the area.

Schuster said: “Looking ahead, this housing complex is just the first step toward building a strong community in the South Village area with residential, commercial, and educational spaces to foster a vibrant and synergistic environment.”

Schuster then introduced Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay, who congratulated the KGI students, faculty, and staff on the milestone.

“We are grateful for what this project represents for the Keck Graduate Institute,” Calaycay said, “in terms of being able to increase and develop and improve the programming to their students and even to provide better services to their students.”

On behalf of the Claremont City Council, Calaycay presented Schuster and Widergren with a certificate of recognition acknowledging the Oasis KGI Commons opening.

To conclude the formal remarks, Claremont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Lopez spoke on behalf of the city’s local businesses and congratulated the KGI community on the achievement.

The event featured several Claremont Village vendors, including Bert & Rocky’s, Café X2O, Gus’s BBQ, Paradis, Pepo Melo, and Walter’s Restaurant.

With the first residents having moved into the complex in July, Oasis KGI Commons is open to KGI students, Claremont Graduate University students, and The Claremont Colleges’ faculty and staff. For more information, visit americancampus.com/student-apartments/ca/claremont/oasis.