University of California Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Anderson School of Management has received a $100m gift – the largest in its history.
The donation was made by Marion Anderson, widow of UCLA alumnus John Anderson who the school was named after. The school was named after Anderson, founder of conglomerate Topa Equities, after he began giving gift donations to UCLA in 1987. Collectively, John and Marion Anderson have now donated $142m to the school.
Of the total gift, $60m will be used to establish an endowment which will provide student financial aid and fellowships, research funding, and to fuel new programmes at the school. The remainder will be used to construct a new building which will house “technology-enhanced” classrooms as well as space to connect students with faculty and UCLA alumni.
Gene Block, UCLA chancellor, said: “We are eternally grateful for Marion’s extraordinary generosity, which raises to new heights her commitment to UCLA Anderson and to the entire campus. Marion’s most recent gift will enhance learning opportunities for generations of students and support scholarship by faculty who are leaders in their fields. As UCLA Anderson expands its reach and distinctions, Marion’s gift provides the resources — both financial and physical — to realize an ambitious vision.”
