In the newest release of The Economist’s 2017 Which MBA? ranking, UCLA Anderson’s full-time MBA program moved up eight spots to #6 from its 2016 ranking of #14. U.S. business schools dominated the top 14 schools on the list with Northwestern’s Kellogg, Chicago’s Booth and Harvard taking the top three spots. Compared to the ranking methodology of the Financial Times, The Economist’s ranking relies more significantly on student satisfaction—gathered through an annual survey of current students and recent alumni—that takes into account new career opportunities (35%); personal development/educational experience (35%); increasing salary (20%); and the potential to network (10%). See full ranking and methodology. Read more.

On October 19, shovels were drawn to break ground on the building site of the Marion Anderson Hall. Continuing the tradition started by Marion and John Anderson 30 years ago, Marion Anderson Hall will be a state-of-the-art, 64,000 square foot facility added to the UCLA Anderson complex, overlooking Briskin Family Plaza and connected to Cornell Hall. With the goal of enhancing student and faculty interactions and bringing together all MBA programs under one roof, the new spaces will help foster “One Anderson.” Dean Judy Olian, Senior Associate Dean Al Osborne and Chancellor Gene Block were joined by Marion Anderson Hall donors Sam Tang (’87), Donald and Sherie Morrison, Bob Wilson (B.S. ’53), Luis (’02) and Lindsey Serrano, and Heather Hasso to celebrate the momentous occasion. Watch video and view photo gallery.

» Watch the architectural fly-through of Marion Anderson Hall.

Inspired by the character based leadership that Coach John Wooden embodied, UCLA Anderson’s John Wooden Global Leadership Awards annually recognizes a global business leader who instills a sense of pride, a commitment to ethics and respect for teamwork within his/her organization. This year’s honoree will be Kevin Plank, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Under Armour, the apparel and footwear company he founded in 1996. Tired of repeatedly changing the cotton T-shirt under his jersey during football games, Plank set out to develop a next-generation shirt that would remain drier and lighter.

Celebrating the special 10th anniversary of the gala, the event will be held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on November 13, 2017. Legendary UCLA men’s basketball player and Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will join in the tribute to Coach Wooden. Proceeds of the gala will go to support this year’s John Wooden Global Leadership Fellows Sana Rahim (FEMBA '19), Evan Barnes (EMBA '18), Anna Goldberg (MBA '18) and Brandon Scott (MBA/M.D. '18). Join us for this special evening. Sponsorship opportunities and exclusive alumni pricing are available.

Thank you to the 1,000+ alumni worldwide who came out to welcome the class of 2017 to our amazing alumni network at Worldwide Welcome Weeks! After 30+ events in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the U.S. (including seven sold-out events), Worldwide Welcome Weeks finishes its whirlwind run with a wine tour and tasting event in Santa Barbara this Thursday.

Alumni in Asia welcomed Dean Judy Olian to get an update on the school while alumni in Barcelona, London, Madrid, Paris and Zurich participated in virtual presentations and interactive discussions with Anderson faculty. Entertainment, entrepreneurship, leadership and technology were hot topics of discussion at the headquarters of Amazon, Amgen, Intuit, NPR West, and Staples Center among others in the U.S.

» View photos in our Worldwide Welcome Weeks 2017 gallery.

Get a window into the cutting-edge research of UCLA Anderson’s expert faculty who examine crucial topics in business, the economy and the wider world of human existence with the new Anderson Review. Check out a snapshot of this month’s collections of short takes:

Local-Level Mortgage Lending: How Competition Pushes Rates Higher, Not Lower | Mark Garmaise
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How Uber Could Avoid That Notorious $362.57 Fare | Sushil Bikhchandani
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German Rebels Who Helped Lincoln Win the Civil War: A Natural Experiment in Leadership | Christian Dippel
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Two Tier Pricing: Reducing Risk for ACOs and Specialist Practices | Fernanda Bravo
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Beyond Uber: When Surge Pricing Makes Business Sense | Christopher Tang
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John E. Anderson Distinguished Alumni Award 
This is the highest accolade for exceptional achievement that the UCLA Anderson School of Management bestows upon its alumni. The Distinguished Alumni Award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater.

Outstanding Alumni Service Award
This award is presented to alumni who have consistently provided exemplary service to UCLA Anderson, enhancing the stature, success and well-being of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Network, as well as the quality and reputation of the School.

Join UCLA Anderson and Dean Judy Olian for a lunch time talk on Monday, November 6 featuring John W. Thompson, Chairman of Microsoft Corporation. As part of the Center for Global Management’s Robertson Lecture Series, Thompson will discuss leadership in the midst of profound disruptive change and address issues including AI driven digital transformation, cybersecurity, and cultural change. RSVP to gain access to this complimentary event at Korn Convocation Hall. A bag lunch will be provided.