College, Amgen Feted for Biotech Program
Ventura College, in partnership with Amgen Inc., has earned the state’s highest award given to community colleges and companies for innovative and successful biotechnology programs.
The Chancellor’s Award, honoring excellence in partnership and economic development, was bestowed by the California Community College Economic Development Network.
Amgen, based in Thousand Oaks, has contributed countless hours and more than $100,000 in equipment to the program since its inception in 1993, according to Mary Pat Huxley of Central Coast Biotechnology Center, who nominated the college and Amgen for the award.
The program combines academic course work with training on specialized laboratory equipment.
Students are trained on-site at local companies.
“With Amgen’s support and guidance, we have graduates with jobs,” said Bill Thieman, a program professor and coordinator at the college. “The people at Amgen are committed to quality science education.”
The Chancellor’s Award was presented May 8 at an Economic Development Network conference in Los Angeles.
The program earned the Student Success Award last year from the California Community College Board of Governors for a program that offers students the most opportunity for success in the coming century.
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