Chris Christoffersen '54

Ralph “Chris” Christoffersen is general partner at Morgenthaler Ventures, a venture capital firm in Boulder, Colorado. After receiving a Cornell degree in chemistry and mathematics in 1959, he completed a doctorate in physical chemistry at Indiana University and served on the chemistry faculty and in academic affairs administration at the University of Kansas. He was president of Colorado State for two years before joining the pharmaceutical industry in 1983, first as a senior researcher at The Upjohn Co. and SmithKline Beecham, and then as CEO of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals. He moved to Morgenthaler Ventures in 2001.

Dr. Christoffersen spent two days on campus visiting with students in Economics and Business, Chemistry, and Biology. His public lecture, "Biotechnology as the Next U.S. Economic Driver," offered insight into the rapid growth of the biotechnology industry and its impact on the global economy.

*co sponsored by Beta Omicron Distinguished Alumni Visitors Program