Notable Alumni: Famous People from University at Buffalo
UB Notable Alumni
Notable Alumni Overview from University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo (UB), the flagship institution of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), has produced a diverse roster of notable alumni from University at Buffalo who have left indelible marks on the world stage. These famous graduates of University at Buffalo span entertainment, sports, politics, business, and academia, demonstrating the transformative power of a UB education. With over 200,000 living alumni worldwide, UB's network fuels innovation and leadership, particularly in fields like medicine, engineering, and public service, thanks to its Carnegie R1 research classification and location in dynamic Buffalo, New York.
In entertainment, Dennis Franz stands out as a standout example—a University at Buffalo theater graduate (BA, 1958) who won four Emmy Awards for his role in NYPD Blue, showcasing how UB's performing arts programs launch careers in Hollywood. Sports figures include NHL player Patrick Kaleta, a UB alum whose grit on the ice reflects the university's Division I athletic spirit in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Politics boasts influential names like Wolf Blitzer, who earned his BA in philosophy from UB in 1970 and became a CNN anchor, covering global events for decades. Business highlights include billionaire Jeremy Jacobs Sr., founder of Delaware North (net worth exceeding $5 billion), whose UB attendance paved the way for empire-building in sports concessions and hospitality.
These achievements underscore UB's unique aspects: its affordability as a public flagship, cutting-edge research (over $430 million annually in funding), and proximity to Buffalo's revitalized economy in healthcare and tech hubs like the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. For job seekers eyeing higher-ed-jobs or professor roles, UB alumni success stories imply strong networking via the UB Alumni Association. Students can draw inspiration, while parents appreciate the implications for ROI—many grads lead Fortune 500 companies or public offices. Explore Rate My Professor for UB faculty insights, or check academic jobs in Buffalo and higher ed jobs. Dive deeper into categories like millionaires and billionaires or politics below.
This legacy not only elevates UB's reputation but also offers global job seekers pathways through career services and alumni mentorship, making it a top choice for ambitious minds.
Inspirational Ratings for University at Buffalo Alumni Achievements
Discovering University at Buffalo notable alumni can ignite ambition for students, faculty, parents, and job seekers eyeing opportunities in Buffalo, New York. These famous graduates of University at Buffalo showcase paths from campus to global stages, rated on influence, innovation, and real-world impact. Ratings use a 10-point star scale, drawing from verified achievements over decades. Each includes explanations and actionable advice to help you leverage UB's legacy. Explore academic jobs in Buffalo or check Rate My Professor for UB faculty insights while inspired by these stories.
Sports Figures
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆ (9/10)UB excels here, producing NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly ('81), who quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls, embodying resilience amid losses. Other stars like Richie Incognito highlight athletic grit translating to pro success. View sports figures.
Advice: 💡 Join UB intramurals or Division I teams to build leadership; alumni networks via UB Athletics open doors in sports management or higher ed jobs.
Entertainment & Media
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)Notable alumni from University at Buffalo like Wolf Blitzer (BA '70, CNN anchor) and Wendy Williams (BA '86, TV host) dominate headlines, turning communication skills into media empires. Lou Gramm ('72, Foreigner rocker) adds musical flair.
Advice: Hone public speaking in UB's media clubs; network on LinkedIn with these influencers for broadcasting gigs. Pair with career advice.
Business & Leadership
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)Anne M. Mulcahy ('75), Xerox's turnaround CEO, exemplifies corporate prowess among University at Buffalo influential leaders. Many alumni helm Fortune 500 firms, driving economic breakthroughs.
Advice: Enroll in UB's School of Management; seek internships via faculty jobs postings. Study their strategies for your resume at free resume template.
Science & Innovation
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆☆ (7/10)While no undergraduate Nobel winners, UB alumni lead in biomedicine and engineering, contributing to patents and research hubs. Faculty-alumni overlaps boost University at Buffalo breakthroughs.
Advice: Dive into UB research labs; pursue grad paths for PhDs. Check professor ratings for top mentors. No Nobel laureates yet, but potential abounds.
These ratings reflect trends from 5-10 years of data via trusted sources like Wikipedia's UB alumni list and UB facts. UB alumni inspire through perseverance—network via alumni association for mentorship. Job seekers, target admin jobs here; students, rate courses at Rate My Course. Overall, UB fosters trailblazers (avg 7.6/10).
Add a Notable Alumni
Know a distinguished graduate of University at Buffalo? Add them to this listing below — include their name, role, field of study and what makes their career or contribution stand out.
Looking for faculty ratings? Browse professors at UB.
Notable Entertainment Figures
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Riegert | Actor | unknown | Attended UB before transferring; notable for roles in Animal House, Local Hero, and appearances on The Sopranos. | |
| John Schuck | Actor | 1962 | BA alumnus recognized for playing Sgt. Ensign in McMillan & Wife and the Enginseer in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. | |
| Wendy Davis | Actress | Media Study | 1987 | BA graduate who starred as Colonel Joan Burton in the TV series Army Wives. |
| Glenn Danzig | Musician, Singer, Songwriter | unknown | Attended briefly; founder and lead singer of punk band Misfits and metal band Danzig. | |
| Lou Gramm | Musician, Singer | unknown | Attended UB; lead vocalist for rock band Foreigner with hits like 'Juke Box Hero' and 'I Want to Know What Love Is'. | |
| David Conrad | Actor | Theater | unknown | Attended UB and Juilliard; known for role as Jim Clancy in Ghost Whisperer. |
| Dennis Dugan | Actor and Film Director | Theater | 1967 | BA graduate known for comedic roles in films like Problem Child and Happy Gilmore, and directing multiple Adam Sandler comedies. |
Notable Millionaires & Billionaires
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Jacobs | Founder and Chairman of Delaware North | unknown | Billionaire owner of Delaware North, a global hospitality and food service company that operates concessions for major sports venues, airports, and parks, with a net worth exceeding $5 billion. |
Notable Nobel Laureates
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Lauterbur | Professor of Biophysical Sciences | Biophysical Sciences | unknown | Awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Peter Mansfield, for discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a technology that has transformed medical diagnostics worldwide. |
Notable Political Figures
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Higgins | Former U.S. Representative | Political Science | 1976 | Served as U.S. Representative for New York's 26th congressional district from 2005 to 2024, focusing on economic development and healthcare. |
| Thomas M. Reynolds | Former U.S. Representative | Pharmacy | 1972 | Represented New York's 26th and 27th congressional districts in the U.S. House from 1999 to 2009. |
| Dennis T. Gorski | Former Erie County Executive | Law | 1968 | Served as Erie County Executive from 1991 to 2003 and previously as New York State Assembly member. |
| George M. Maziarz | Former New York State Senator | unknown | Served in the New York State Senate for the 62nd and 61st districts from 1995 to 2015. | |
| Marc Panepinto | Former New York State Senator | Law | 1991 | Appointed to the New York State Senate for the 60th district in 2015, serving briefly after special election. |
| Crystal Peoples-Stokes | New York State Assemblymember | unknown | Long-serving member of the New York State Assembly representing the 141st district since 2003. | |
| William Stachowski | Former New York State Senator | History | 1962 | Served in the New York State Senate for the 63rd and 60th districts from 2001 to 2010. |
| Hilton L. Cassety | Former Niagara Falls City Court Judge | Law | 1962 | Served as judge on the Niagara Falls City Court. |
Notable Sports Figures
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Schuster | MLB Player | unknown | Former Major League Baseball player from the Buffalo Bulls baseball program. | |
| Eddie Basinski | MLB Player | unknown | Professional baseball player who advanced to Major League Baseball after attending University at Buffalo. | |
| Steve Geltz | MLB Pitcher | unknown | Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his time with the Kansas City Royals and other teams. | |
| Tom Murphy | MLB Pitcher | unknown | Professional baseball pitcher and notable University at Buffalo alumnus who reached Major League Baseball. | |
| Joe Hesketh | MLB Pitcher | unknown | Major League Baseball pitcher who played for teams including the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox. |