Westfield CEO Lowy’s Keynote Highlight of 2013 Commencement

UCLA Anderson’s class of 2013 celebrated their success and moved into the next phase of their lives with encouragement from Peter Lowy, co-CEO of the Westfield Group. More than 600 Full-Time MBA and Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) graduates received diplomas under picture-perfect Los Angeles skies, ready to join the worldwide ranks of Anderson alums making an impact on the business community. The ceremony also recognized a dozen students earning their Ph.D. degrees.

After the national anthem, sung by MBA candidate Judy Hsu (’13), Dean Judy Olian encouraged students to Think in the Next and remember three principles she and teaching partner Mandalay Entertainment Group Chairman and CEO Peter Guber extoll as guiding philosophies of well-known leadership icons. First, that following a principle 100% of the time is easier than following it 98% of the time. Second, to accept failure as part of the growth trajectory. “We all fail sometimes, and we need to stretch ourselves outside of our comfort zones,” she said. “Failure is actually part of the success cycle.” Third, she reminded students to be brutally honest with themselves and use that self-awareness as a foundational part of leadership.

 

Dean Olian: "You are ambitious, you want to make a difference, you emphasize we over me and you Think In The Next ... " #UCLA2013

— UCLA Anderson (@uclaanderson) June 14, 2013

 

Next, students Peter Barnes (’13) and Alex Valente (’13) spoke for the Full-Time MBA program and FEMBA program class members, respectively.

Lowy’s keynote followed. “I know it’s a business school, because you guys are out there taking notes,” he joked. “Come on, guys. It’s graduation.” He proposed to students that their personal narratives, their family histories, are important on their journeys to become business leaders. “What legacy do you want to leave future generations?” he asked. “How much are you prepared to use your talents … to shape and change your life, that of your family, your immediate community, this nation, or even the world.”

Glenn Lyday (’03), principle consultant with The Table Group and president of the UCLA Anderson Alumni Network Board of Directors, followed by welcoming students into the alumni network and reminding them of the opportunities for worldwide collaboration. “As a new member of the alumni network, you are now plugged into alumni chapters around the globe,” he said. “Our job is to help keep you connected back to the school, and, frankly, to each other.”

Next, Mark Grinblatt, UCLA Anderson’s Japan Alumni Chair in International Finance and Senior Associate Dean and Director of the Doctoral Program, presented the 12 doctoral candidates with their degrees.

The final part of the ceremony followed, with all of the students receiving their diplomas and Dean Olian conferring upon all their degrees. A reception followed in UCLA Anderson’s Alumni Plaza.