The University of Maryland (UMD), located in College Park, Maryland, boasts a remarkable legacy of University of Maryland notable alumni who have shaped industries worldwide. With over 500,000 living alumni, UMD's graduates exemplify excellence across diverse fields, serving as inspiration for students, faculty, parents, and job seekers eyeing opportunities in higher education. These notable alumni from University of Maryland highlight the institution's commitment to innovation, leadership, and public service, influencing everything from technology and business to entertainment and public policy.
In business and technology, famous graduates of University of Maryland like Kevin Plank (BS Business Administration, 1995), founder and executive chairman of Under Armour, have built billion-dollar empires. Plank revolutionized athletic apparel with moisture-wicking fabrics, turning a dorm-room idea into a global brand valued at billions. Similarly, Sheryl Sandberg (MBA, 1995), former COO of Meta Platforms, authored 'Lean In' and championed women in leadership, demonstrating UMD's impact on influential leaders University of Maryland has produced.
Politics features standouts like Steny Hoyer (BA, 1963), longtime U.S. House Majority Leader, who has shaped national legislation for decades. In science, UMD claims several University of Maryland Nobel winners, including John C. Mather (PhD Physics, 1974), co-recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for cosmic microwave background discoveries. Entertainment icons such as Jim Henson (attended 1957-1959), creator of The Muppets, and journalist Connie Chung (BA Journalism, 1969) add cultural flair, while sports figures like basketball star Juan Dixon (BA, 2002) embody Terrapin pride.
These achievements underscore UMD's role in fostering breakthroughs and leaders. For job seekers, exploring higher ed jobs near College Park or reviewing faculty via Rate My Professor (search University of Maryland) can connect you to this network. Check detailed lists like entertainment figures, sports figures, politics, millionaires and billionaires, and Nobel laureates. Learn more at the UMD Alumni Association or UMD's official notable alumni page.
The implications are profound: UMD alumni networks offer mentorship, internships, and career boosts, vital for global job seekers. Proximity to Washington, D.C., amplifies policy and tech opportunities in Maryland. Aspiring professionals can leverage these stories for motivation while pursuing faculty jobs or higher ed career advice.
The University of Maryland notable alumni have left an indelible mark across entertainment, technology, science, and sports, inspiring current Terrapins and prospective students alike. Take Jim Henson (B.S. 1960), the puppeteer genius behind the Muppets and Sesame Street. While at UMD's College Park campus, he honed his craft in home economics classes, creating early characters like Kermit the Frog that captivated generations. His whimsical legacy reminds us how creativity blooms in unexpected places, much like the vibrant campus life in College Park, Maryland.
In tech, Sergey Brin (B.S. 1993, Mathematics and Computer Science) co-founded Google, revolutionizing how we access information worldwide. Brin's time at UMD sparked his interest in data mining, leading to breakthroughs that power today's search engines. For aspiring innovators, checking out Rate My Professor reviews for UMD's computer science faculty can reveal the rigorous yet inspiring environment that shaped him.
Science shines brightly too, with alumni like Raymond Davis Jr. (Nobel Prize in Physics 2002) and Herbert Hauptman (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1985), whose neutrino detection and crystallography work advanced our understanding of the universe. Faculty Nobel laureates such as William D. Phillips (Physics 1997) and John C. Mather (Physics 2006) further elevate UMD's prestige. Explore more on UMD Nobel laureates.
Sports icons abound, from basketball's Gene Shue to football legends, fueling the Terps' competitive spirit. Kevin Plank (B.S. 1995), founder of Under Armour, turned a laundry bag idea into a billion-dollar empire. These stories highlight UMD's role in nurturing influential leaders. Job seekers eyeing higher ed careers can find opportunities via higher ed jobs in College Park or academic jobs in College Park. Dive deeper at the UMD Alumni Hall of Fame or Wikipedia's UMD notables list. Whether you're a student rating professors on Rate My Professor or parents scouting futures, these achievements showcase why UMD alumni networks propel success globally.
From Muppet mayhem to Google dominance, famous graduates of University of Maryland embody innovation and grit, proving a UMD degree opens doors to extraordinary paths. For career advice, visit higher ed career advice.
University of Maryland alumni have made their mark in entertainment as actors, musicians, composers, gamers, and chess masters, contributing to film, television, music, gaming streams, and competitive chess with innovative performances and global influence. These figures highlight the university's role in nurturing creative talent that shapes popular culture.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larry David | Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer | 1967-1969 | Co-creator of Seinfeld and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm, revolutionizing observational comedy on television. | |
| Jim Henson | Puppeteer, Animator, Producer | Home Economics | 1957-1959 | Creator of The Muppets franchise and Sesame Street, pioneering puppetry in children's entertainment and film. |
| Logic | Rapper, Musician, Producer | 2009 | Platinum-selling hip-hop artist known for albums like Under Pressure and The Incredible True Story, blending rap with introspective lyrics. |
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| Eydie Gorme | Singer | 1950 | Grammy Award-winning vocalist famous for hits like 'Blame It on the Bossa Nova' and performances with husband Steve Lawrence. |
| John Fahey | Musician, Composer | Philosophy | 1959 | Influential acoustic guitarist and composer who pioneered the American Primitive guitar style with albums like Death Chants. |
| Carmen Balthrop | Soprano Opera Singer | Music | 1971 | Distinguished soprano celebrated for performances with major opera companies and induction into UMD's Alumni Hall of Fame. |
| Larry Kaufman | Chess Master | Computer Science | 1974 | International Chess Master and chess programmer, multiple-time U.S. Correspondence Chess Champion. |
| Tim Betar (TimTheTatman) | Gamer, Twitch Streamer | unknown | Popular gaming content creator with millions of followers, known for live streams of Fortnite, Call of Duty, and variety gaming. |
| Kathleen Turner | Actress | Drama | 1978 | Golden Globe-winning actress renowned for iconic roles in films like Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. |
University of Maryland alumni have made significant impacts in U.S. politics and to a lesser extent in international roles, with no notable royalty or nobility; these leaders have shaped legislation, governance, and public policy at federal, state, and local levels through dedicated service and influential positions.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maggie McIntosh | Maryland House Appropriations Chair | unknown | Attended University of Maryland and served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee in the Maryland House of Delegates. | |
| Rikki Specter | U.S. Diplomat | 1981 | B.A. graduate and career diplomat serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic and other roles. | |
| Sheila E. Hixson | Maryland House Appropriations Chair | unknown | Attended University of Maryland and chaired the House Appropriations Committee for over a decade. | |
| Dana Stein | Maryland State Delegate | 1981 | B.A. graduate serving District 11 in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019. | |
| LeRoy Myers Jr. | Maryland State Delegate | Economics | 1972 | B.S. graduate representing District 1C in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2003. |
| Nancy K. Kopp | Maryland State Treasurer | History | 1964 | Long-serving Maryland State Treasurer since 2002 and former member of the Maryland House of Delegates. |
| Kumar P. Barve | Maryland House Majority Leader | 1982 | M.A. recipient and the first South Asian American elected to the Maryland General Assembly, serving as House Majority Leader. | |
| Blair Lee IV | Lieutenant Governor of Maryland | 1942 | B.A. graduate who served as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1971 to 1979 under Governor Marvin Mandel. | |
| Albert Wynn | U.S. Representative | unknown | Attended University of Maryland and represented Maryland's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2008. | |
| Donna Edwards | U.S. Representative | unknown | Attended University of Maryland and served as U.S. Representative for Maryland's 4th congressional district from 2008 to 2017, becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress from Maryland. | |
| Tom McMillen | U.S. Representative | Government and Politics | 1974 | B.A. graduate and former professional basketball player who represented Maryland's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House from 1987 to 1993. |
| Parris Glendening | Governor of Maryland | Political Science | 1964 | Ph.D. recipient who served as the 59th Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003, pioneering environmental protection efforts including the Smart Growth program. |
University of Maryland alumni have made significant marks in business and technology, building empires in search engines, athletic wear, private equity, and sports franchises that drive economic growth and innovation in the United States.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergey Brin | Co-founder of Google and Alphabet Inc. | Mathematics and Computer Science | 1993 | Co-founder of Google, revolutionizing internet search and becoming one of the world's wealthiest individuals with a net worth exceeding $100 billion. |
| Kevin Plank | Founder and Executive Chairman of Under Armour | Business Administration (Marketing) | 1995 | Founder of the performance apparel company Under Armour, building it into a multi-billion-dollar brand. |
| Daniel Snyder | Businessman and former owner of the Washington Commanders | unknown | Billionaire entrepreneur who owned the NFL's Washington Commanders and founded several media companies. | |
| Mitchell Rales | Co-founder of Danaher Corporation | unknown | Co-founder of the conglomerate Danaher Corporation and co-owner of the Washington Nationals, with a net worth over $9 billion. | |
| Steven Rales | Co-founder of Danaher Corporation | unknown | Co-founder of Danaher Corporation alongside his brother, building a major industrial conglomerate with a net worth exceeding $9 billion. |
The University of Maryland has produced many distinguished graduates, but like any large institution, a small number of alumni and attendees have been linked to criminal activities, often in areas like organized crime and terrorism support. This list draws from verified sources such as Wikipedia's curated list of University of Maryland people, focusing on those with confirmed attendance.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayful Edmond | Drug lord | 1985-1986 | Washington, D.C. drug kingpin convicted in 1990 for running a violent crack cocaine operation responsible for multiple murders and distributing massive quantities of drugs. | |
| John Walker Lindh | Taliban supporter | 1998-2000 | Captured by U.S. forces in 2001 fighting alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan; pleaded guilty to supplying services to the Taliban and carrying an explosive device. |
The University of Maryland boasts notable Nobel Laureates primarily in physics, whose pioneering research has profoundly influenced cosmology and atomic manipulation techniques. These distinguished individuals highlight the university's excellence in fostering groundbreaking scientific advancements.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John C. Mather | Senior Project Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Physics | Ph.D. 1974 | Awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for essential contributions to the COBE satellite mission that confirmed the black body spectrum and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation. |
| William D. Phillips | Distinguished University Professor of Physics | Physics | faculty | Received the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics for developing methods to cool and trap atoms using laser light, enabling precise atomic measurements. |
