Saint Mary's College of California (SMC), a private Catholic liberal arts college in Moraga, California, founded in 1863 and administered by the De La Salle Brothers, has produced over 92 notable alumni according to EduRank, spanning politics, business, sports, law, and public service. These Saint Mary's College of California notable alumni exemplify the institution's Lasallian emphasis on excellence, service, and community impact, inspiring current students, faculty, parents, and job seekers exploring opportunities in higher education. The alumni network, connecting more than 50,000 living graduates worldwide, underscores SMC's role in fostering influential leaders who embody Gael pride.
Key categories highlight diverse achievements. In politics, figures like George Miller Jr., a long-serving U.S. Congressman representing California's 7th district from 1975 to 2015, and his father George P. Miller advanced education and environmental policies. John F. Henning served as U.S. Under Secretary of Labor under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Business leaders include Jagjeet (Jeet) S. Bindra, former CEO of Calpine Corporation, and John C. Devine, ex-CFO of Amgen. Sports standouts are honored in the Saint Mary's College Athletic Hall of Fame, featuring basketball and baseball stars who competed in NCAA Division I as Gaels.
Recent honorees from the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards include leaders in arts, global law enforcement, philanthropy, a World War II veteran, and educators, as noted on the official SMC page. This legacy demonstrates strong career outcomes, with alumni impacting fields from corporate boardrooms to Capitol Hill. For prospective Gaels in Moraga, check rate-my-professor reviews for Saint Mary's College of California to gauge academic fit, or explore academic jobs in Moraga and higher ed jobs nearby. The implications are clear: SMC's intimate community (under 4,000 students) propels graduates to national prominence, offering networking via the official notable alumni page. Parents and job seekers value this for ROI on education, while students draw motivation from real-world success stories amid California's competitive landscape.
Unique aspects include the college's historic move from San Francisco to Oakland in 1889 and then Moraga, blending faith-based values with rigorous academics. No Nobel laureates or billionaires dominate, but consistent excellence in public service and athletics sets SMC apart, rivaling larger peers. Visit SMC professor ratings on AcademicJobs.com or higher ed career advice for pathways mirroring these alumni.
Discover the notable alumni from Saint Mary's College of California (SMC), where famous graduates embody the Gael spirit of excellence, service, and Lasallian values. Searches for Saint Mary's College of California notable alumni reveal impressive lists on sites like EduRank (92 verified figures) and Ranker, highlighting achievements in sports, business, politics, and more. While no U.S. presidents, billionaires, Nobel laureates, or criminals appear in official or trusted sources like the university website, US News, or Niche, SMC shines in athletics and professional leadership. Recent 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate honorees in arts, global law enforcement, philanthropy across dozens of countries, a World War II veteran with decades of service to SMC, an exceptional educator, and an honorary alumna dedicated to the mission. Brief summaries below cover key categories with highlights from verified data; explore the official list or sports figures for details. Aspiring students and job seekers can draw inspiration while checking rate my professor reviews for SMC faculty or browsing higher ed jobs in Moraga, California.
These categories showcase why famous graduates of Saint Mary's College of California inspire globally. For career paths, visit higher ed career advice or academic jobs in Moraga.
Saint Mary's College of California (SMC) notable alumni have made waves across various fields, showcasing the Lasallian values of service, excellence, and community impact that define this Moraga, California gem. From the hardwood courts to global leadership roles, these Gaels prove that a small Catholic liberal arts college can produce big achievers. Dive into some entertaining insights and standout achievements that highlight why famous graduates of Saint Mary's College of California inspire current students and job seekers alike.
In sports, SMC's basketball program shines bright, with alumni like Omar Samhan and Jock Landale earning spots in the Athletics Hall of Fame. Samhan's clutch performances led the Gaels to the 2010 WCC Tournament title, while Landale dominated as a two-time All-WCC first-team center before thriving professionally overseas. The 2011 Men's Soccer team also joins this elite group, celebrated for their remarkable season. Check out the sports figures for more on these trailblazers who turned college passion into pro success.
Beyond athletics, recent Distinguished Alumni Awards spotlight trailblazers. In 2025, honorees include leaders in arts, global law enforcement, and philanthropy spanning dozens of countries, plus a World War II veteran with decades of service to SMC and an educator going above and beyond. Melissa Stafford Jones '93, the 2022 Alumna of the Year, directs California's Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative under Governor Gavin Newsom, transforming youth mental health support statewide. These stories entertain with tales of resilience—like Jones navigating state government to reimagine behavioral health systems—and offer actionable inspiration for those eyeing higher ed jobs or leadership paths.
For a full roster, visit SMC's official notable alumni page or explore 92 verified alumni on EduRank. Whether rating professors via Rate My Professor for SMC or hunting academic jobs in Moraga, these achievements remind us Gaels punch above their weight. Parents and faculty see the real-world payoff of SMC's intimate community fostering influential leaders.
Imagine a WWII vet serving SMC for decades or philanthropists aiding worldwide causes—these narratives blend humor in underdog triumphs with profound lessons on perseverance, perfect for novices pondering if SMC sparks breakthroughs.
Discovering the notable alumni from Saint Mary's College of California (SMC) can ignite ambition for prospective students and job seekers eyeing higher education paths in Moraga, California. These Gaels have left marks in politics, sports, business, and public service, showcasing the Lasallian values of excellence and service that define the college. Ratings below evaluate alumni impact across key categories on a 10-point scale using verified achievements from sources like the official SMC site and Wikipedia listings. Each star rating (✭ for filled, ☆ for empty) reflects prominence, recent successes (2020-2026), and inspirational potential for your career journey.
These ratings reveal SMC's edge in public service and athletics, ideal for Gaels seeking purpose-driven careers. For job seekers, connect with alumni via the official notable alumni page. Students, use scholarships and Moraga academic jobs to follow suit. Rate professors at rate-my-professor for SMC to choose mentors wisely—alumni triumphs prove the formula works. Dive into politics alumni for more inspiration.
Saint Mary's College of California alumni have excelled in entertainment fields such as actors, musicians, composers, gamers, and chess masters, bringing creativity and innovation to film, music, gaming, and competitive scenes. Their achievements highlight the college's role in nurturing artistic talents that influence global entertainment.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Carradine | Actor | unknown | Renowned for portraying Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series Kung Fu and Bill in Kill Bill, Carradine attended Saint Mary's College of California and became a prominent figure in film and television. |
This section highlights notable athletes from Saint Mary's College of California (SMC), particularly in basketball and baseball; these Gaels alumni have achieved success in professional leagues like the NBA and MLB, elevating the college's reputation in West Coast Conference (WCC) athletics.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patty Mills | NBA Player | 2005-2009 | Australian-American point guard who won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 after starring for the Gaels. | |
| Matthew Dellavedova | NBA Player | 2009-2013 | Australian guard who reached two NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and played professionally after a standout career at Saint Mary's. | |
| Harry Hooper | MLB Hall of Fame Outfielder | 1907 | Baseball Hall of Famer who won five World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox over 17 MLB seasons. | |
| Duffy Lewis | MLB Outfielder | unknown | Key member of the Boston Red Sox's pre-Babe Ruth dynasty, playing 14 MLB seasons and contributing to three World Series wins. | |
| Tom Candiotti | MLB Pitcher | unknown | Left-handed pitcher who appeared in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics and California Angels in the 1970s. | |
| Mark Teahen | MLB Infielder/Outfielder | unknown | Versatile player who spent eight MLB seasons with teams like the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox. | |
| James Mouton | MLB Outfielder | 1991 | Outfielder who played four MLB seasons for the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres after his time at Saint Mary's. | |
| Omar Samhan | Professional Basketball Player | 2010 | Dominant center who led the Gaels to the 2010 NCAA Sweet Sixteen and earned WCC Player of the Year honors. | |
| Danny Hawkins | College Football Coach and Former Player | unknown | Former football player who became head coach at Boise State University and other programs. |
This section highlights notable alumni in politics from Saint Mary's College of California, primarily U.S. figures in legislative, judicial, and public service roles. These Gaels have influenced policy, governance, and justice systems through dedicated public service.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Perata | Former President pro tempore of the California State Senate | unknown | Served as a prominent Democratic leader in the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008, shaping state legislation. | |
| Melanie Stansbury | U.S. Congresswoman from New Mexico | unknown | Current U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district, focusing on environmental and public lands issues. | |
| Troy L. Nunley | U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California | unknown | Federal judge appointed in 2013, handling significant cases in the Eastern District of California. | |
| George P. Miller | Former U.S. Representative | unknown | Long-serving Congressman from California (1945-1973), influential in education and natural resources policy. | |
| John F. Henning | Politician and Labor Official | unknown | Served in high-level roles including Under Secretary of Labor under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. | |
| J. J. Jelincic | Labor Official | unknown | Former California State Treasurer candidate and leader in organized labor advocacy. |
