On Friday, June 15, UCLA Anderson celebrated the achievement of 800 students graduating from the three MBA programs and Ph.D. program at commencement. This commencement was especially bittersweet as it marked the last time that Dean Judy Olian presided over commencement before departing to start her new role as president of Quinnipiac University on July 1.

William S. (Bill) Anderson (J.D. ’88), son of the school’s namesake John E. Anderson ‘40, delivered the commencement keynote speech. Addressing the fear of change that many people face, Bill shared his long-debated decision to leave the family business to start his business First Beverage Group. “To lead change, you’ll need to step out of your cozy worlds and model the change you want to be known for in your life,” Anderson said. “That will take grit and courage.” Following Anderson’s remarks, Olian reflected on the learnings she acquired during her 12-plus years tenure as Anderson’s Dean and shared five lessons with the Class of 2018:

1. Be curious, to seek out the unfamiliar and to keep learning.
2. There’s nothing that’s ‘deserved’ about being lucky, or unlucky, (and) it’s our duty — those of us who were born lucky — to give opportunity to others, to those who are less lucky.
3. If you’re surrounded by a great team, a lot can happen, way more than you could ever achieve by yourself.
4. If you’re immersed in a cause and in a community that inspires you, work isn’t work, it’s a calling.
5. Be your authentic selves, not a copy of someone else.

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Senior Associate Dean Alfred Osborne Jr. has agreed to serve as interim dean of UCLA Anderson, effective July 1, following Dean Judy Olian’s departure. “Chancellor Block and I appreciate Al’s willingness to serve as interim dean, and have every confidence in his ability to provide strong leadership and continuity for the school,” said Scott Waugh, UCLA executive vice chancellor and provost.

Osborne joined UCLA in 1972 as an assistant professor of economics and is currently UCLA Anderson’s Senior Associate Dean for external affairs and professor of global economics, management and entrepreneurship. As founder and faculty director of the Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he has been instrumental in making entrepreneurship and social innovation a vital part of the school. Recently, he helped to launch a minor in entrepreneurship and the Anderson Venture Accelerator in collaboration with academic units across campus.

Osborne has also been engaged in developing academic life at Anderson having served as associate dean and director of the MBA programs and associate dean for program development, which supported the establishment of centers in finance and real estate, international business and entrepreneurship. Read more.

By asking himself “What would Al be doing?” Fritz Demopolous (’97) hasn’t stopped learning and engaging with new people since graduating UCLA Anderson in 1997.

Despite a lucrative offer waiting for him in Europe after business school, Demopolous headed to Asia looking for opportunity. He founded China’s biggest online travel company Qunar and largest web-based sports portal Shawei and currently serves as the founding partner of venture capital firm Queen’s Road Capital. “Fritz is a brilliant alum,” says Jay Tucker ('09), executive director, Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment & Sports (MEMES). “He has launched unbelievably successful companies in a part of the world many Americans find difficult to understand and he has a passion to share what he knows with our students.” Demopolous credits the access and education he received at Anderson along with the lifelong friendships he forged with inspiring faculty like Al Osborne and Bill Cockrum to help him make a profound decision “to take control of what I’m doing in life.”

Driven by an appreciation of the opportunities he has received and the desire to ensure that there will be opportunities for his daugthers Emma and Elise, the Demopolous family has made significant gifts to UCLA Anderson including support for the Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit. They have also created a student fellowship named for the foundation associated with his venture firm and made a gift to the Center for MEMES board fund. Read more.

Join Demopolous and the more than 12,500 donors who have given to UCLA Anderson’s $300 million fundraising effort to help take Anderson Into The Next by making your gift today.

Check out a snapshot of cutting-edge research by UCLA Anderson’s expert faculty covered in this month’s UCLA Anderson Review.

An Aerial, as Opposed to Ground-Level, View of Time
Cassie Mogilner Holmes and Hal Hershfield

How the Seemingly Rapid Advance of Democracy Goes Astray
Christian Dippel

Taking the Battle for Financial Literacy to Where the Eyeballs Are
Bruce Carlin and Stephen Spiller

The Moat That Keeps Complex Asset Strategies Profitable
Andrea Eisfeldt

When Ebola Strikes, Where Should Help Go?
Elisa Long

Former UCLA football player and double bruin Terry Tumey (’88, ’93) was appointed the next Director of Athletics at Fresno State on June 21 by Fresno State University President Joseph I. Castro. "I am thrilled to welcome Terry Tumey to Fresno State...with Terry's strong leadership, I am confident that our Bulldog athletic program will boldly rise to new heights of success," said Castro at a press conference introducing Tumey to the Bulldog community.

After playing at UCLA from 1984-1987, where he was a three-time All-Pacific-10 Conference defensive lineman, Tumey took on coaching and personnel roles with UCLA football, the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. He most recently served as Director of Athletics for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, a unified Division III school, and has led the athletic programs at UC Davis and Dominican University of California. Read more.

From learning on the lawn lectures, to family activities, to an Anderson opportunity zone, ‘Palooza will be showcasing the best that the UCLA Anderson community has to offer. Come back to campus to schmooze with faculty, make new connections and meet current students. It’s also a great excuse to see old friends and entertain your kids. Make it a fun summer afternoon and don’t miss paella, picnic food, and craft beer from Diego Benitez ('19)'s microbrewery Progress Brewing. Bring your family and friends to join the fun on Saturday, July 28! Register.