Orange County UCLA Fund Chancellor’s Society Salon

Creating a Legacy of Impact

Scholarships can be truly transformative for students, especially those who rely on philanthropic support to help make the opportunity to attend UCLA a reality. Hear from two-time Super Bowl champion James Washington, who will speak from his perspective as a scholarship recipient, about how life-changing a UCLA education is for students. Learn how his foundational experiences at UCLA, both on and off the field, helped him to navigate the NFL and continue to help him in his professional career at UCLA. These experiences inspire his work as a Director of Development for the Office of Scholarships, fundraising for the scholarships needed to ensure access for the best and brightest future Bruins.

James will be joined by Audrey Nguyen, recipient of the Orange County Alumni Network Scholarship and a National Finalist of the UCLA Alumni Scholarships Program. She is a second year Psychobiology major, actively involved across campus and in the Alumni Scholars Club.

About James Washington

James Washington, one of the greatest safeties in UCLA history and a two-time Super Bowl champion, is widely recognized for his unbridled passion for football and education. Washington was a redshirt freshmen starter at UCLA, where he was a standout defensive back. He played in four bowl games: the 1984 Rose Bowl, 1985 Fiesta Bowl (co-MVP), 1986 Rose Bowl, 1986 Freedom Bowl, and 1987 Aloha Bowl – all victories! Upon graduating from UCLA, James was drafted into the NFL by the Los Angeles Rams (1988). He took advantage of the free agency market in 1990 and signed on with the Dallas Cowboys, where he became one of the hardest hitting defensive backs in the league. A starter for the Dallas Cowboys in four of his five seasons, he led the team in interceptions each year in which he started. He became one of the hardest hitting defensive backs in the league, and teammates Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin dubbed him “Drive-By”. He called the defensive signals for Dallas when it had the league’s top-ranked defense (1992 and 1994) and was a standout player on the 1993 and 1994 Super Bowl Championship teams. Washington’s success on the field fueled his desire to be a success off the field and positively impact the community through his professional and philanthropic endeavors.

James Washington is currently UCLA’s Director of Development in the Campus Wide Scholarships office. His foundational experiences at UCLA as a scholarship recipient inspires his fundraising for the scholarships needed to ensure access for the best and brightest future Bruins. In 1993, he founded SHELTER 37, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that teaches provides highly effective life skills, job training and educational programs to at-risk youth throughout southern California.

Washington received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1987, and his Master’s degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in 1998. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Dana, and their three children.

About Audrey Nguyen

Audrey is a second-year Psychobiology major from Anaheim Hills, California. She has been involved in the Alumni Scholars Club (ASC) from the start, competing in the 2014 National Finals Competition and serving as an Outreach Coordinator her first year. Currently, she is the Leadership Development Director on the Executive Board. Outside of ASC, she works as a Resident Assistant for UCLA Residential Life, volunteers at monthly health clinics in Mexico, and serves as a camp counselor for UCLA UniCamp and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. Audrey’s hobbies include playing tennis and exploring food places around L.A. In the future, she aspires to improve healthcare for at-risk communities through a career in public health.

This event is invite only.