back to results Back

Sharing Success

Black and white head shot of Marion Anderson
Marion Anderson’s name and visionary generosity are inspirational and aspirational, influencing today’s and tomorrow’s leaders and philanthropists to think big and to give back.

A hundred million dollars is a stellar gift with which to start a campaign. UCLA Anderson School of Management is doing just that. At the school’s May 13 Centennial Campaign launch events, longtime donor Marion Anderson outdid herself by announcing the largest gift in the school’s history to take the business school Into the Next, which is what the school is calling its fundraising campaign. The school’s second largest gift also came from Anderson and her late husband, John, for whom the school is named.

“Our school’s renown owes a great deal to the Andersons, whose generosity has made so much of the innovative education and research we engage in possible,” says UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian. “We will honor this gift by continuing that great work.”

Meaningful Motivation

John E. Anderson ’40, who attended UCLA with scholarship support and then earned an MBA from Harvard and a law degree from Loyola University, went on to become a visionary and successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was president of Topa Equities Ltd. until his death at 93.

Marion Anderson, a tireless philanthropist, volunteer, and advocate — especially for children — is chair of Topa Equities. “John never forgot the scholarship support and amazing education he got at UCLA,” she says. “This gift honors him by furthering the school’s important mission.”

To learn more, contact

Caroline Su310-206-9093

Published June 2015

Marion Anderson speaking at podium

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian posing with Marion Anderson

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

Tony Pritzker speaking at podium

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

A portion of the building labeled John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management with bust in the foreground

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

Smiling students listen to a lecture in a lecture hall decked with international flags.

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

Students listen to a professor in a classroom.

UCLA Anderson School of Management celebrates Marion Anderson’s gift, the largest in school history.

More Stories: Anderson School of Management, Students & campus