Ithaca College, located in the scenic city of Ithaca, New York, has produced a remarkable array of Ithaca College notable alumni who have made significant impacts across entertainment, business, and beyond. Founded in 1892 as a conservatory of music, the college's Roy H. Park School of Communications and School of Music, Theatre, and Dance have been pivotal in launching careers in media and performing arts. These programs emphasize hands-on training, internships, and real-world projects, which explain why so many famous graduates of Ithaca College thrive in competitive industries.
In entertainment, standout figures include David Boreanaz (B.S. 1991), known for starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Bones, showcasing the acting prowess honed at IC. Kerry Butler (B.F.A. 1992), a Tony Award-nominated actress, has appeared on Broadway and in films, highlighting the theater program's influence. For a full list of entertainment figures, explore further.
Business leaders like Bob Iger (B.S. 1973), chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, demonstrate IC's strength in communications and leadership. Other notable alumni from Ithaca College include Chris Burch (B.S. 1976), co-founder of Tory Burch LLC, and Edward Glazer (B.A. 1992), co-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United. These achievements underscore the value of IC's liberal arts foundation combined with professional training, fostering influential leaders who drive innovation and cultural impact.
The implications for students and job seekers are profound: an IC degree opens doors to global networks, as seen in alumni success stories. Parents and faculty appreciate how these outcomes reflect the college's 5,000+ alumni community actively supporting current Bombers through mentorship and events. Check the Ithaca College Alumni Association for connections or Wikipedia's comprehensive list. Considering faculty? Review Ithaca College professor ratings on AcademicJobs.com. For career opportunities, browse higher ed jobs or academic jobs in New York to see how IC alumni shape the field.
While Ithaca College lacks Nobel laureates or U.S. presidents among its verified graduates, its alumni excel in practical, high-visibility roles, proving the power of targeted education in communications and arts. This legacy inspires prospective students worldwide, emphasizing transferable skills like collaboration and creativity essential for today's job market. Explore higher ed career advice to leverage similar paths.
Discover Ithaca College notable alumni who have made waves across entertainment, business, and sports. These famous graduates of Ithaca College exemplify the school's strong programs in communications, theatre, and business, turning classroom lessons into global success stories. From Hollywood stars to corporate powerhouses, IC alumni (often called Ithacans) dominate their fields. Dive into categories below for entertaining facts on top achievers, and check the official IC alumni site for more inspiration. For detailed lists, see entertainment figures, millionaires and billionaires, and sports figures.
Ithaca College's renowned theatre and cinema programs have launched stars to Broadway and TV, blending creativity with real-world hustle in the cutthroat entertainment industry.
IC's business grads build empires, from fashion empires to media giants, showing how a degree from Ithaca fuels deal-making in boardrooms worldwide.
Athletics and communications alumni excel as coaches, owners, and commentators, bringing IC grit to stadiums and airwaves.
These notable alumni from Ithaca College inspire job seekers eyeing higher ed jobs or rate my professor insights at IC. Explore academic jobs in Ithaca, New York.
Discover the captivating stories behind some of Ithaca College's (IC) most famous graduates, whose journeys from the scenic Ithaca, New York campus to global stardom showcase the power of IC's hands-on programs in communications, theatre, and business. These notable alumni from Ithaca College have not only achieved remarkable success but also credit their time at IC for building resilience and creativity that propelled their careers.
Take Bob Iger (B.S. 1973), a standout among Ithaca College notable alumni. Starting in television production, he climbed to become the chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, overseeing blockbuster acquisitions like Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. Iger's leadership turned Disney into a $200+ billion entertainment empire, proving how IC's Roy H. Park School of Communications equips students for top executive roles. For aspiring media pros, exploring rate my professor reviews at IC can reveal the inspiring faculty who shaped minds like his.
In entertainment, David Boreanaz (B.S. 1991) embodies the transition from IC's theatre stages to Hollywood fame. Known for starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Bones, he also produced and acted in SEAL Team. His path highlights IC's B.F.A. programs' emphasis on performance skills. Similarly, Kerry Butler (B.F.A. 1992), a Tony Award-nominated actress, shone in Broadway hits like Hairspray and Xanadu, bringing laughs and accolades back to her alma mater. Check out more on entertainment figures from IC.
Sports and business intersect with Edward Glazer (B.A. 1992), co-owner and co-chairman of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and English Premier League's Manchester United. His strategic acumen reflects IC's business training. Meanwhile, Chris Burch (B.S. 1976), co-founder of the Tory Burch fashion empire and founder of Burch Creative Capital, built a multimillion-dollar legacy in retail and investments. For those eyeing such paths, IC alumni networks offer invaluable connections—visit the official IC alumni site for events and mentorship.
Even in sports coaching, Bill O'Brien, head coach for the Houston Texans and Penn State, draws from his IC roots. These famous graduates of Ithaca College inspire current students and job seekers in Ithaca by demonstrating real-world impact. Whether pursuing higher ed jobs or academic jobs in Ithaca, IC's legacy motivates. Dive deeper into IC's full alumni list on Wikipedia for more entertaining insights.
Exploring Ithaca College notable alumni reveals a powerhouse in entertainment and business, where graduates have made significant impacts. These star ratings assess alumni success across key categories on a 10-point scale, based on verified achievements from sources like Wikipedia and EduRank. Ratings consider the prominence, number, and influence of famous graduates of Ithaca College, inspiring current students, faculty, parents, and job seekers. For instance, high scores reflect trailblazers who started at IC's Roy H. Park School of Communications or business programs.
These ratings underscore IC's strength in creative industries—perfect for aspiring actors or executives. Advice: Leverage the IC Alumni Connection for networking; attend events via their site. Check Rate My Professor for top communications faculty to build skills like Iger. Job seekers, explore higher ed jobs or academic jobs in Ithaca. Parents, note IC's 70,000+ alumni network boosts post-grad outcomes. Students, intern in NYC (nearby) and use career advice for breakthroughs. Follow these paths for your own success story among notable alumni from Ithaca College.
Ithaca College boasts alumni excelling as actors, musicians, composers, and performers in theatre, television, and film, with its renowned School of Music, Theatre, and Dance fostering talents who have earned Tony nominations and starred in major productions. These graduates have made lasting impacts on Broadway, Hollywood, and sketch comedy, showcasing the college's strong entertainment pipeline spanning categories like actors and musical theatre artists.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Boreanaz | Actor | Cinema and Photography | 1991 | Star of hit TV series including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Bones, earning widespread recognition in supernatural and crime drama genres. |
| Kerry Butler | Actress | Theatre | 1992 | Tony Award-nominated Broadway performer known for roles in Hairspray, Xanadu, and Beetlejuice. |
| Q Smith | Actress and Author | Musical Theatre | 2000 |
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| Featured in Broadway's Come From Away, Les Misérables, and Mary Poppins; authored Queens of the Theatre on women of color in theatre. |
| Joe Aaron Reid | Actor | Musical Theatre | 2009 | Performed on West End in Dreamgirls and In the Heights, and Broadway in Chicago, Ghost, and Finian's Rainbow. |
| Brian Lee Huynh | Actor | Acting | 2002 | Broadway debut in War Horse; appeared in regional theatre and New York productions like The Light Years and A Clockwork Orange. |
| Dharon Jones | Actor | Acting | unknown | Featured in Broadway's West Side Story revival. |
| The Birthday Boys | Comedy Group | Television/Radio | 2005-2006 | Sketch comedy troupe that starred in their own IFC series after gaining recognition through live performances. |
Ithaca College has nurtured talented athletes, coaches, and sports broadcasters who have achieved prominence in professional leagues, coaching, and media, showcasing the Bomber spirit on national stages. Categories: Athletes.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill O'Brien | NFL Coach | History | 1993 | Former head coach of the Houston Texans and Penn State Nittany Lions, and offensive coordinator for teams including the New England Patriots and New York Jets. |
| Joseph Campo | Wrestler and Coach | 1949 | Three-sport standout in wrestling, football, and track at Ithaca College, later a legendary wrestling coach with over 450 wins and inductions into multiple halls of fame including the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. | |
| Bruce Beck | Sports Anchor | 1978 | Longtime weekend sports anchor for WNBC in New York, known for his coverage of major sports events. | |
| Keith Olbermann | Sports Broadcaster | Communications | 1979 | Influential sports journalist and host who worked at ESPN, MSNBC, and other networks, pioneering sports commentary. |
Ithaca College alumni have made marks in U.S. politics, including roles in Congress and state legislatures; their contributions span federal legislation, public service, and policy-making at national and regional levels without international or royalty figures.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Van Eck | Minnesota State Representative | Music | 1984 | Republican politician serving Minnesota House District 14B since 2017, advocating for business, agriculture, and education policies. |
| Louis A. Bafalis | U.S. Congressman | unknown | Florida Republican who represented the 12th congressional district from 1971 to 1983, known for work on energy and environmental issues. | |
| Joseph M. McDade | U.S. Congressman | unknown | Pennsylvania Republican serving the 10th district for 18 terms from 1961 to 1999, influential in defense appropriations and Scranton-area development. |
