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September 3, 2003

Guidant Foundation creates Ronald W. Dollens graduate scholarship in life sciences

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Guidant Foundation is honoring one of its leaders and benefiting the Purdue University's scholarship campaign by establishing the Ronald M. Dollens Graduate Scholarship in Life Sciences.

The $500,000 scholarship gift will be established through annual installments, with the first scholarship going to a 2004 graduate student of the Department of Biomedical Engineering or from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences.

Dollens, Guidant Corp. president and CEO, graduated from Purdue in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. His peers chose to honor his accomplishments and leadership by creating the scholarship, said James R. Baumgardt, president of Guidant Foundation.

"Ron has made so many important contributions to the Guidant Corporation," Baumgardt said. "He has positioned Guidant as a global leader in cardiovascular therapy and medical devices. We want to honor his vision and his legacy to this corporation, as well as his career long dedication to the educational process. We couldn't imagine any better way to do that than to help students who will go on to seek careers in life sciences.

"It is our hope that this scholarship serves as a catalyst for the combination of pharmaceutical and biomedical engineering research, while helping students to be well trained to undertake scientific leadership positions in the future."

The Guidant Foundation helps create patient awareness and access to advancements in cardiovascular care. Through philanthropic partnerships, the foundation supports charitable and educational programs to help improve the quality of life for patients who are at risk or suffer from cardiovascular disease and also funds efforts to inform the public about cardiovascular disease and therapy.

Writer: Jesica E. Webb, (765) 494-2079; jwebb@purdue.edu

Source: Jack Burke, director of corporate relations for Indiana -Purdue University Development Office, (317) 275-9305, jjburke@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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