Tribute to Violet Jacobs

The KGI community is deeply saddened by the death of Violet “Vi” Jacobs who died on January 12, 2015. Vi was 99.

Just last spring, Vi made a generous contribution to recruit talented students with engineering backgrounds, especially recently separated veterans, to KGI.

Her contribution also provided MBS fellowship support so that any of these students who might not otherwise be able to pursue their graduate education could enroll at KGI to pursue a life science career in the medical device industry.

Established in 2003, The Joe and Vi Jacobs Visiting Professorship was funded through a generous endowment to Keck Graduate Institute from the late Dr. Joseph J. Jacobs and his wife Violet.

The gift bestowed on KGI provides support for bioscience ethics, teaching and research.

“Entrepreneurs like Vi, and her husband Joe, truly understood the value of life science education. KGI is honored to have benefitted from their generosity and investment in graduate education,” said KGI President Sheldon M. Schuster.

“Vi Jacobs was a dear friend and loving person to me and Joe was a great friend, mentor and partner as well. They both will be missed, but their love for life and the entrepreneurial spirit continues on from the students at KGI and other fine institutions that have benefited from their generosity,” said KGI Trustee Alex Suh.

Working alongside her husband, the late Vi Jacobs was an active partner in the early startup years of Jacobs Engineering Group. Founded in 1947, Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. is an international firm employing about 66,000 with expertise in multiple STEM disciplines in 250 offices located 30 countries.

Vi was also the co-founder and board member emeritus of the Jacobs Family Foundation and Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation.

The Jacobs Family Foundation supports numerous charities and civic and educational organizations with gifts totaling over $100 million.