Newsroom

Some love stories begin with grand gestures. Others start with something as simple as a smile and a little commotion.

For Mark and Lisa Locklear, their journey together started on the first day of orientation at the Merage School in September 1982. Lisa, sitting with her roommate, watched as a latecomer entered the auditorium, motorcycle helmet in hand, making his way up to the front. That latecomer was Mark. "Lisa thought he had a nice smile," they recall. A conversation at the reception afterward revealed mutual friends, and from that moment on, they were inseparable.

Now, nearly 43 years later, their connection remains just as strong, rooted in a shared love for learning, an enduring partnership, and memories made at Merage.

Building a Life Together, Starting at Merage

As full-time MBA students, Mark and Lisa spent countless hours together, not only in the classroom but also working on group projects, studying, and socializing. Their time at Merage helped shape their individual careers and first jobs in finance, Lisa with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) and Mark with an investment management firm, while also strengthening their partnership as a couple.

When asked about their fondest memories, they laugh, answering in unison: "Thursday Happy Hours!" These weekly gatherings, where students and even professors came together for drinks and conversation, were a highlight of their time at Merage. The friendships they formed during those years remain some of their closest connections today.

A Merage Family Legacy

The Locklear family's story at Merage didn't end with Mark and Lisa. Their son, Matt, continued the tradition by enrolling in the Master of Professional Accountancy program. Now a manager at EY in Irvine, Matt followed in Lisa's footsteps, launching his own successful career in finance.

"We love that all three of us graduated from the Merage School," Lisa shares. "It's special to have this connection across generations."

Advice for Today's Students: Stay Open to Possibilities

For current students navigating relationships alongside their academic and career aspirations, the Locklears emphasize hard work, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.

Lisa, who started as a plant science major at UC Davis with dreams of becoming a veterinarian, never imagined she would become the CFO of a publicly traded biotech company. Her career took unexpected turns, including international experiences with the Walt Disney Company in France and England, but each step led to fulfilling and unexpected opportunities.

"Be open to where your career can take you," they advise. "The choices you make today will shape more possibilities down the road."

A Love That Lasts, From Merage to Today

Through all of life's twists and turns, the Locklears have held onto a Valentine's Day tradition that started early in their relationship: Mark sending Lisa flowers. Even now, with Lisa working remotely, the tradition continues, her office just happens to be at home.

On Valentine's Day, they celebrate with a special bottle of wine from their collection, taking a moment to reflect on the life they've built together, one that all started on the UC Irvine campus.