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Opportunity Served

Transformation Story: Students, The College, Athletics, Nation, world, & society, Students & campus
A young Arthur Ashe playing tennis
UCLA has been chosen to steward the legacy of one of its most illustrious alumni, Arthur Ashe ’66. (Photo credit: Hoover Photographic Collection, UCLA Library)

He broke racial barriers in sports and society with his athletic and scholastic talents. So far, he has been the only African-American man to win Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He was the first African-American man to be selected for the United States Davis Cup team. And he was a Bruin.

UCLA has been chosen to steward the legacy of one of its most illustrious alumni, Arthur Ashe ’66. Throughout his life, Ashe ardently advocated for equality, from establishing mentoring programs in disadvantaged communities across the U.S. to protesting apartheid in South Africa. UCLA, too, is an advocate for equality: The Academic Advancement Program (AAP) in UCLA College is the nation’s largest university-based diversity program helping students historically underserved by higher education.

Nurturing New Leaders

Now their efforts toward equality will advance together, thanks to public and private donor giving spearheaded by Ashe’s widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe. Ashe himself received a tennis scholarship to attend UCLA — and the new Arthur Ashe Scholarship Fund will serve up opportunity for AAP students who represent his ideals to grow as leaders on campus and beyond.

“UCLA meant the world to him and is the perfect place to safeguard his legacy,” Moutoussamy-Ashe says. “I am excited to see his inspirational example shared with students, faculty, and visitors.”

Learning His Legacy

To that end, collective contributions also have established the Arthur Ashe Legacy Fund to support projects and maintain exhibit materials, such as a vibrant portrait in the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. Complementing the collection, freshmen can learn more through special Centennial Fiat Lux seminars dedicated to Ashe and to AAP.

With his legacy and the philanthropy of generous friends, UCLA can continue to help promising students get off on the right foot for success.

Published December 2017

Arthur Ashe serves in a tennis match at Pauley Pavilion.

Arthur Ashe in a tennis match at Pauley Pavilion

Four diverse young men wearing robes, stoles, and hats celebrate graduation.

The Arthur Ashe Scholarship and Legacy Funds will help UCLA students get off on the right foot for success.

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