Temple University honors Mazur with Diamond Achievement Award (10/09/05)

Temple University honors Mazur with Diamond Achievement Award

by Marsha Ray

PHILADELPHIA - The College of Liberal Arts at Temple University proudly presented Leonard L. Mazur, a 1968 alumnus of the school, with the Diamond Achievement Award at the college's 2005 Baccalaureate Dinner.

The College of Liberal Arts Alumni Board presents its annual Diamond Achievement Award to an alumna or alumnus whose outstanding achievements have brought great honor to the College and the University.

Mr. Mazur's wife, Helena, as well as colleagues, friends, fellow college alumni and current Temple students, were present to enjoy the evening's festivities and to share in his honor. Upon accepting the award, Mr. Mazur delivered an inspiring speech to all in attendance. His reminiscence of his days as a Temple student and his humble deliverance of his ensuing success were the highlight of the evening.

Mr. Mazur is an entrepreneur and pharmaceutical company executive who has been instrumental in creating enterprises within companies and as a founder of pharmaceutical companies.

He began his business career with Cooper Laboratories while completing his master's in business administration. During his 10-year career at Cooper, Mr. Mazur advanced from a sales representative position to a series of marketing, strategic planning, corporate development and general management positions which included operating responsibilities for a division of the company. Notably, while at Cooper, he was involved in the creation of Cooper Vision, which ultimately became the largest eye care company in the United States.

In 1981 Mr. Mazur joined the U.S. Pharmaceutical Division of BASF as director of marketing. He was responsible for introducing into the U.S. market one of the first calcium channel blockers, a breakthrough medication used to treat hypertension and other heart disorders.

In 1984 he joined ICN Pharmaceuticals as vice-president of sales and marketing. While at ICN, he launched the first anti-viral drug for treatment of a deadly respiratory virus that afflicts infants.

After ICN, Mr. Mazur was then selected by the board of directors at Chantal Pharmaceuticals, a research-based company, to restructure its operations - a task he completed within 18 months.

In 1989 he joined Medicis Pharmaceuticals as a member of the founding executive team. As executive vice president, he was instrumental in establishing a dermatology-oriented company that has become a leader within its industry niche.

In 1995 he founded Genesis Pharmaceutical, which is a company focused on dermatological products. Genesis was ultimately acquired by Pierre Fabre Group, based in France. Until recently, Mr. Mazur was the CEO of Genesis Pharmaceutical.

Presently he is establishing Triax Pharmaceuticals, a new pharmaceutical venture.

Mr. Mazur was born in Germany and as a young boy immigrated to the United States with his parents He is extremely proud of his Ukrainian heritage and is active in various Ukrainian American organizations. He is on the board of directors of the Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund, is president of the Ukrainian American Professional and Businesspersons Association of New York and New Jersey, and serves on the board of trustees for Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa.

Mr. Mazur holds both a bachelor of arts and an M.B.A. from Temple University. He has been awarded a U.S. patent for a cholesterol-lowering drug. He and his wife reside in Mountain Lakes, N.J.

The Baccalaureate Dinner was held on May 16.

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