The James West Alumni Center, situated at the very center of campus, serves as UCLA’s unofficial visitor center, headquarters for several student groups, but most importantly, home to returning alumni. Flanked by Bruin Plaza to the north, Ackerman Student Union to the east, Pauley Pavilion to the west and the new Luskin Conference Center and Hotel to the south, JWAC, as it’s known around campus, is surrounded by a constant whirlwind of activity. Yet, more often than not, past visitors were typically motivated to come in to ask for directions, use the restrooms or get some air conditioning relief. It was with this in mind that Alumni Affairs leadership made the decision to invest in redesigning the facility.

In taking advantage of its geographic location, the goal of transforming the space was for alumni, students and visitors to feel they truly were at the heart of UCLA when visiting the building. Groups made up of diverse stakeholders, such as young alumni, students, UCLA Facilities, board members and administrative staff, helped conceptualize the new space. Lea Howe, C.F.O. of the Alumni Association and project lead for the redesign, explained that changes were coming in phases and required collaboration from various departments. Phase I introduced changes in the JWAC lobby, known as the Alumni Living Room.

You can’t have a nice living room without comfortable and beautiful furniture. New couches, chairs and end tables were added to the floor with a clean, blue and gray design to add color to the mostly brown lobby. Lamps, office chairs and large conference-style tables were also added to accommodate small group meetings or a natural study desk. A colorful carpet was installed to add coziness and to help absorb noise. A second reception desk was added facing the north entrance of the building. Due to construction outside the south end, more foot traffic was flowing through the north entrance, and having a friendly staff member stationed there helped accommodate these guests.

Along the walls, two large murals were painted behind the south reception desk and around the elevator. The mural facing the south entrance shows an enlarged photograph of alumni, students and fans attending a basketball game at Pauley Pavilion, symbolizing the diversity and energy found within the Bruin community. The mural surrounding the elevator shows an aerial view of the Westwood Hills with the caption “Welcome Home Alumni.” Together these murals add aesthetically-pleasing views from the Alumni Living Room.

In addition to murals, several large portraits of famous alumni adorn the walls. These prints feature Optimist alumni, the likes of Arthur Ashe ’66, Carol Burnett ’54 and James Franco ’08, alongside their inspirational quote. The Alumni Scholarships Donor Wall, once housed in the Founders Room was relocated to the lobby. Nancy Spratt, director of stewardship and project lead for the wall explained: “While the existing donor wall was beautifully done, the donors who so generously fund the education of UCLA’s exceptional students needed an area of more prominent placement in the alumni center.

[The wall’s design was enhanced] to reflect the look and feel of the ongoing Centennial Campaign for UCLA, and create space in which to add the names of philanthropists who choose to support Alumni Scholarships in the future.”

No living room is complete without a television. A large flat panel HDTV screen was installed near the north entrance of the building which serves as the social media display. For 24 hours a day, it broadcasts content and video from the Alumni Affairs’ social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Marcia Campbell, the assistant director of membership program promotions who spearheaded this project, described the experience:

“When visitors come in, they can see what’s going on that day in the building or among our alumni networks, and know what’s trending among UCLA alumni.”

These changes reflect the organization’s desire to welcome more alumni into the building and further their engagement with UCLA. Imagine lounging in the Alumni Living Room while you wait for the game to begin at Pauley Pavilion, or designating JWAC as the meet up place with other friends on campus. Whether it’s for an event or an impromptu business meeting, one can recapture campus memories of yesteryear when you enter the building and at the same time create new ones. Either way, the James West Alumni Center is at the heart of UCLA and is here to welcome home alumni.