California State University Channel Islands Receives $950,000 Amgen Foundation Grant for Science Equipment

Camarillo, Calif., October 27, 2005 -California State University Channel Islands today announced it has received a $950,000 grant from the Amgen Foundation. Amgen's support will help provide some of the most sophisticated scientific instrumentation used in research and industry today-equipment that will be used by CSUCI students and faculty and accessible via the Internet to their counterparts at seven regional universities, colleges, and community colleges. The state-of-the-art equipment will include X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrumentation.

"The Amgen Foundation is pleased to support California State University Channel Islands in developing a program that has such direct and long-term benefits for improving science education in the community," said Jean Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation. "With the Foundation's support, CSUCI will become a hub for scientific exploration, enhancing the technological preparedness of students throughout the region and across the state."

CSUCI President Richard R. Rush said that the grant represents a great benefit to California education and industry throughout the entire region "We're very grateful to the Amgen Foundation for this wonderful opportunity," Rush said. "This grant is truly significant because CSUCI and our educational partners will share in the use of scientific instrumentation that will advance students' training, knowledge, and skills."

CSUCI's educational partners, who would have virtual access to the equipment via the Internet, are California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Pierce College, Ventura College, and Westmont College.

The Amgen Foundation (www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html) seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made more than $53 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways.

California State University Channel Islands' Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives. For more information, visit www.csuci.edu.

Media Contact: Peggy Hinz, 805-437-8947