UCLA Anderson's Sig-O's

Some UCLA Anderson stories are love stories.

Casey Borman '03 worked as a spin-class instructor. Kimberly '09 was the instructed. Before long, Kimberly became known in UCLA Anderson circles as Casey's "Sig-O," the affectionate label UCLA Anderson students give their significant others. And when Kimberly became a UCLA Anderson student a few years later, Casey assumed "Sig-O" status.

For the Bormans, UCLA Anderson is more than a school. The halls feel like that of a big home; the faculty, administration and fellow students are family to them. It is where people learn who they are, and where the Bormans found each other.

 "We consider UCLA to have brought us together," says Kimberly.

That's why the Bormans want to make sure UCLA Anderson is forever strong. To that end, Kimberly and Casey each make an annual donation to UCLA Anderson with employer matching, and they work hard to ensure the school remains highly-regarded.

"Look at other top-tier business schools and you'll see that their endowments are larger than UCLA Anderson's. We need that type of support so other students can have the same wonderful experiences we had, for years to come," says Kimberly, a highly successful manager with Expedia.com.

"The biggest value-add in going to UCLA Anderson is the people you're surrounded by," adds Casey, a real estate investor and options trader . "UCLA Anderson brings together people with very diverse backgrounds. You learn more from them than anyone else."

To ensure that UCLA Anderson continues to attract the best and brightest students, the Bormans hope their annual donations and continued involvement with UCLA Anderson inspires other alumni to contribute and give their time to developing the MBA program. The key is to instill giving back to UCLA Anderson in new students from day one of orientation. UCLA Anderson's professors and administrators must emphasize the benefits graduates receive when they give back to the MBA program. The Bormans believe the greater UCLA Anderson's endowment, the greater the school's opportunities to provide top-ranked educational programs will be.

"The message to incoming students must be clear, 'You are now part of this elite group of people and it is expected that you give back. The more you give, the better UCLA Anderson will become - along with the value of your degree. And when you do something that makes the world a better place, it's truly fulfilling."