KGI Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Founder’s Day Speaker Series and Dinner

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) celebrated its 25th anniversary at a remarkable Founder’s Day event on Friday, October 7, 2022, with a speaker series and gala dinner. View the photo album.

The Speaker Series took place on KGI’s campus and was attended by more than 150 people. Bonnie Anderson moderated a panel discussion about the future of biotech with KGI Board of Trustee members Dr. Ross Grossman, Teresia Bost, and Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff.

Following the premiere of a tribute video to KGI’s 25th Anniversary by alumnus Lawrence Maddela, PPC 17, MBS ’18, Dr. David Lawrence, former dean of KGI’s School of Community Medicine, spoke about the future of healthcare.

Guests then traveled to Pomona College’s Smith Campus Center for a reception and dinner. During the cocktail hour, alumnus Thomas Treddenick, MBS ’10, hosted a beer tasting provided by La Verne Brewing Co.

KGI Board Chair Jim Widergren opened the evening with welcoming remarks, followed by President Dr. Sheldon Schuster giving a brief overview of the Institute. Steve Keck from the W.M. Keck Foundation spoke about the founding gift to KGI in 1997, and guests enjoyed dinner after an invocation from The Claremont Colleges Chaplain, Father Joe Fenton.

A tribute video to KGI was shown as attendees finished eating. President Schuster then came back on stage to discuss KGI and its future. He also recognized KGI’s Most Influential Honorees, whose contributions to KGI significantly impacted the Institute’s history.

The Founder’s Day dinner also celebrated KGI’s inaugural class of Master of Business and Science graduates, who celebrated their 20-year reunion. Marc Doble, MBS ’02, spoke about the early years at KGI and toasted to the next 25.

KGI’s 25th Anniversary celebration continues with another speaker series on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 featuring KGI Associate Professor Dr. Kiana Aran discussing her journey to freedom through science. RSVP now. Additional speakers series will be announced at a later date; continue to follow KGI on social media or visit 25.kgi.edu for updates.