
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN), a flagship public land-grant research university in Minneapolis, Minnesota, boasts an impressive roster of University of Minnesota Twin Cities notable alumni who have shaped global industries, sciences, politics, and entertainment. As one of the largest campuses in the U.S. with over 54,000 students, UMN's alumni network exemplifies the institution's commitment to innovation and leadership, producing trailblazers whose achievements inspire current students and job seekers eyeing careers in higher education or beyond.
Categories of distinction include Nobel laureates, political leaders, entertainment icons, sports figures, and business magnates. In science, UMN alumni have secured multiple Nobel Prizes, highlighting the university's research prowess—innovations like the pacemaker and retractable seatbelt trace back to its labs. For instance, Norman Borlaug (B.S. Forestry 1937, Ph.D. 1942), the "Father of the Green Revolution," won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for combating world hunger through agriculture breakthroughs. Other Nobel winners include Ernest O. Lawrence (M.A. Physics 1923, 1939 Physics), Walter Brattain (Ph.D. Physics 1929, 1956 Physics), Melvin Calvin (Ph.D. Chemistry 1935, 1961 Chemistry), and more recent ones like Brian Kobilka (B.S. Biology and Chemistry 1977, 2012 Chemistry) and Lars Peter Hansen (Ph.D. Economics 1978, 2013 Economics). These accomplishments underscore UMN's impact on global challenges, from climate to health.
In politics, alumni like Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale demonstrate UMN's influence on U.S. leadership. Entertainment draws fame with Bob Dylan, who attended before his legendary music career (2016 Nobel in Literature), and actors like Henry Fonda. Sports alumni fuel Big Ten rivalries, while business leaders contribute to Minnesota's economy. This diversity reflects UMN's broad programs, fostering notable alumni from University of Minnesota Twin Cities who drive societal progress.
The implications are profound: alumni networks offer mentorship and job opportunities, vital for students exploring rate my professor reviews at UMN or academic jobs in Minneapolis. For job seekers, UMN's legacy signals strong employability—check higher ed jobs nearby. Unique aspects include its Twin Cities location bridging urban vibrancy and research hubs, with stats showing over 100 notable alumni per EduRank. Dive deeper into Nobel laureates, politics, or entertainment figures. Visit the official UMN alumni page or Wikipedia's verified list for more. Considering faculty roles? Explore UMN professor ratings and higher ed career advice.
Exploring notable alumni from University of Minnesota Twin Cities reveals a powerhouse of talent across fields, from groundbreaking scientists to political trailblazers and entertainment icons. These famous graduates of University of Minnesota Twin Cities have left indelible marks on history, inspiring current students and job seekers eyeing careers in academia or beyond. Whether you're considering UMN for its rigorous programs or hunting higher ed jobs in Minneapolis, the achievements of these influential leaders from University of Minnesota Twin Cities highlight the school's legacy. Check faculty reviews on Rate My Professor before enrolling, and see detailed breakdowns in sections like Nobel laureates, politics, entertainment figures, and millionaires and billionaires.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni have claimed at least 10 Nobel Prizes, spanning physics, chemistry, economics, medicine, and peace. This remarkable record underscores UMN's research prowess, with winners whose discoveries power modern medicine, agriculture, and economics.
UMN has nurtured vice presidents, senators, and governors who championed civil rights and policy reform, shaping American democracy.
From Hollywood legends to music revolutionaries, UMN attendees have lit up screens and stages with charisma and creativity.
UMN grads have built retail empires and biotech fortunes, proving business acumen thrives here.
For full lists, visit the University of Minnesota people on Wikipedia or UMN Alumni Association. Ready for your turn? Search academic jobs in Minneapolis or faculty positions.
Exploring the notable alumni from University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN) reveals a powerhouse of talent across fields, inspiring students, faculty, and job seekers worldwide. These famous graduates of University of Minnesota Twin Cities have achieved groundbreaking success, from Nobel Prizes to cultural icons. We've rated key categories out of 10 using star ratings based on verified achievements, drawing from university records and trusted sources like Wikipedia's list of UMN affiliates and EduRank's top 100. Each rating includes explanations, real examples, and actionable advice to help you chart a similar path at UMN—a public research university in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for its land-grant mission fostering innovation since 1851.
Nobel Laureates & Science Breakthroughs: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ (10/10)
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Nobel winners stand out exceptionally. Alumni like Norman Borlaug (B.S. Forestry 1937, Nobel Peace Prize 1970 for Green Revolution agriculture saving billions from famine), Melvin Calvin (Ph.D. Chemistry 1935, Nobel Chemistry 1961), and Brian Kobilka (B.S. Biology/Chemistry 1977, Nobel Chemistry 2012) highlight UMN's research prowess. Wikipedia's UMN notables list confirms at least 10 Nobel affiliates. Advice: Dive into UMN's strong STEM programs; join labs early via research assistant jobs postings on AcademicJobs.com, network on Rate My Professor for top mentors, and apply for scholarships to fuel discoveries. Check UMN Nobel laureates for more.
Politics & Influential Leaders: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆ (9/10)
UMN produced Vice President Walter Mondale (B.A., J.D.) and others shaping U.S. policy. This near-perfect score reflects global impact. Tip: Study political science or law at UMN, intern in D.C., and leverage alumni networks—visit UMN's alumni page for connections boosting higher ed jobs in policy.
Entertainment Figures: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)
Bob Dylan (attended, 2016 Nobel Literature) electrifies this category among UMN celebrities. Advice: Hone arts skills in Twin Cities' vibrant scene; use Rate My Professor for creative writing profs and pursue career advice on CVs.
Sports Figures & Business: ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭☆☆ (8/10)
From NFL stars to entrepreneurs, UMN's athletic tradition shines. For job seekers, emulate via business degrees; explore academic jobs in Minneapolis. These ratings motivate: UMN's 500,000+ alumni network (per university facts) offers endless inspiration—start by rating your profs and hunting faculty positions.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN) boasts notable alumni in entertainment, spanning actors, musicians, and composers who have achieved international fame and cultural impact through innovative performances and creative works. These figures highlight UMN's role in nurturing talent that influences global entertainment industries.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanni | Composer and pianist | Psychology | 1976 | New age music pioneer famous for composing emotive instrumental works and staging massive live concerts at landmarks like the Acropolis and Royal Albert Hall. |
| Henry Fonda | Actor | Journalism | unknown | Two-time Academy Award nominee and winner known for starring in classics like 'The Grapes of Wrath,' '12 Angry Men,' and 'On Golden Pond.' |
| Lizzo | Singer, rapper, and flutist | 2009-2011 | Grammy-winning artist celebrated for empowering anthems like 'Truth Hurts' and 'Good as Hell,' advocating body positivity and self-love. | |
| T. R. Knight | Actor | Theatre Arts | 1997 | Emmy-nominated performer best known for his role as George O'Malley on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. |
| Sean "Slug" Daley | Rapper and songwriter | unknown | Co-founder of the hip-hop group Atmosphere, renowned for introspective lyrics addressing Midwestern life and personal struggles. | |
| Anthony "Ant" Davis | Music producer and DJ | unknown | Longtime collaborator with Atmosphere and key producer in the indie hip-hop scene, contributing to critically acclaimed albums. | |
| Garrett Hedlund | Actor and musician | unknown | Rising star in films like 'Troy,' 'Tron: Legacy,' and 'Mudbound,' also pursuing a music career with original albums. | |
| Bob Dylan | Singer-songwriter | 1959-1960 | Iconic musician and 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature recipient whose poetic lyrics revolutionized folk, rock, and American music. |
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities, home to the storied Minnesota Golden Gophers athletic program, has produced elite athletes primarily in categories like football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and more. These alumni have excelled in professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and WNBA, contributing to national championships, Hall of Fame inductions, and inspiring generations of student-athletes with their achievements and leadership.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Bell | NFL Player and Hall of Famer | 1963 | Played linebacker and defensive end for Chiefs, won Super Bowl IV, and entered Pro Football Hall of Fame. | |
| Sandy Stephens | College Football Heisman Runner-up | 1962 | First African-American quarterback in a major bowl game, led Gophers to 1960 national championship claim. | |
| Terry Steinbach | MLB Catcher | 1979 | Three-time All-Star catcher who played 14 MLB seasons primarily with the Oakland Athletics. | |
| Jim Marshall | NFL Player | 1960 | Played 20 NFL seasons, mostly with Vikings, famous for a wrong-way run but revered for longevity. | |
| Carl Eller | NFL Player and Hall of Famer | 1964 | Four-time Pro Bowler and five-time NFL champion with the Vikings, inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame. | |
| Phil Housley | NHL Defenseman and Hall of Famer | unknown | Scored 1,232 NHL points as a defenseman and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after Gophers stardom. | |
| Neal Broten | NHL Player | 1981 | Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils and UMN hockey alum who played over 1,000 NHL games. | |
| Herb Brooks | Olympic Ice Hockey Coach | 1959 | Coached the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' U.S. Olympic team to gold and led Gophers hockey to three NCAA titles. | |
| Sam Cassell | NBA Player and Champion | unknown | NBA champion who played 15 seasons, earned three All-Star nods, and later coached after a Gophers career. | |
| Mychal Thompson | NBA Player | 1978 | Two-time NBA champion with the Lakers and father of Klay Thompson, known for his rebounding prowess post-UMN. | |
| Lou Hudson | NBA Player | 1966 | Six-time All-Star shooting guard who scored over 17,000 NBA points after leading the Gophers to a 1963 Final Four appearance. | |
| Kevin McHale | NBA Player and Hall of Famer | 1980 | Won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics as a dominant power forward and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. | |
| Jack Morris | MLB Pitcher and Hall of Famer | 1976 | Won four World Series titles with three teams and pitched a 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 Series, following a stellar Gophers career. | |
| Paul Molitor | MLB Player and Hall of Famer | Business Administration | 1977 | Hit over 3,000 career MLB hits, won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame after starring for the Gophers. |
| Dave Winfield | MLB Player and Hall of Famer | 1971-1973 | 12-time All-Star outfielder who played 22 MLB seasons across six teams, won a World Series with the Blue Jays, and was drafted by four pro leagues out of UMN. | |
| Bronko Nagurski | NFL Player and Pro Football Hall of Famer | 1927-1929 | Legendary fullback and tackle for the Chicago Bears who won multiple NFL championships and was named to the College Football Hall of Fame for his dominant play with the Golden Gophers. | |
| Lindsay Whalen | WNBA Player and Coach | 2002 | WNBA champion and Finals MVP who starred for the Gophers and now coaches the women's basketball team at UMN. |
This section features notable political alumni from University of Minnesota Twin Cities across U.S., International, and Royalty and Nobility categories, though primarily prominent in U.S. governance. These leaders have influenced national policy, state leadership, and legislative achievements through their public service.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Pawlenty | 39th Governor of Minnesota | Law | 1986 | Served as Governor (2003-2011), considered 2012 Republican presidential candidate, later CEO of Financial Services Roundtable. |
| Al Franken | U.S. Senator from Minnesota | unknown | Served as U.S. Senator (2009-2018), former comedian and Saturday Night Live writer who attended but did not graduate. | |
| Dave Durenberger | U.S. Senator from Minnesota | Law | 1967 | Served as U.S. Senator (1978-1995), focused on health care reform and national service programs. |
| Wendell Anderson | 33rd Governor of Minnesota | Medicine | 1948 | Served as Governor (1971-1976), U.S. Senator (1976-1978), instrumental in creating Minnesota's state income tax and environmental protections. |
| Collin Peterson | U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 7th District | Animal Science | 1967 | Represented Minnesota's 7th district (1991-2021), ranking member of House Agriculture Committee, known for bipartisan farm policy. |
| Ilhan Omar | U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 5th District | Political Science and International Studies | 2011 | First Somali-American, Muslim woman, and refugee elected to Congress (2019-present), member of 'The Squad' focusing on progressive policies. |
| Norm Coleman | U.S. Senator from Minnesota | Law | 1976 | Served as U.S. Senator (2003-2009), Mayor of St. Paul (1994-2002), and Ramsey County Attorney. |
| Orville Freeman | 6th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture | Law | 1937 | Served as Secretary of Agriculture (1961-1969) under Kennedy and Johnson, Governor of Minnesota (1955-1961), and founded Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. |
| Mark Dayton | 40th Governor of Minnesota | History | 1969 | Served as Governor (2011-2019), U.S. Senator (2001-2007), and Minnesota State Auditor (1991-1995). |
| Amy Klobuchar | Senior U.S. Senator from Minnesota | Political Science | 1982 | Elected U.S. Senator in 2006, previously Hennepin County Attorney (1998-2007), known for bipartisan legislation on infrastructure and antitrust. |
| Hubert Humphrey | 38th Vice President of the United States | Political Science | 1939 | Served as Vice President under Lyndon B. Johnson (1965-1969), U.S. Senator from Minnesota (1949-1964, 1971-1978), and Mayor of Minneapolis. |
| Walter Mondale | 42nd Vice President of the United States | Political Science | 1948 | Served as Vice President under Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), U.S. Senator from Minnesota (1964-1976), and 1984 Democratic presidential nominee. |
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities boasts an impressive roster of Nobel Laureates among its alumni and attendees, whose pioneering discoveries in physics, chemistry, medicine, economics, literature, and peace have profoundly influenced scientific progress, agricultural revolutions, and cultural landscapes worldwide.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest O. Lawrence | Physicist | Physics | M.A. 1923 | Awarded the 1939 Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention and development of the cyclotron, a particle accelerator that revolutionized nuclear physics research. |
| Walter Brattain | Physicist | Physics | PhD 1929 | Received the 1956 Nobel Prize in Physics, shared with William Shockley and John Bardeen, for their research leading to the invention of the transistor. |
| Melvin Calvin | Biochemist | Chemistry | PhD 1935 | Honored with the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the chemical steps that lead to the formation of carbohydrates in photosynthesis. |
| Norman Borlaug | Agronomist | Plant Pathology | B.S. Forestry 1937, M.S. 1939, PhD 1942 | Received the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in the Green Revolution, developing high-yielding wheat varieties that helped avert global famines. |
| Edward B. Lewis | Geneticist | Biostatistics | M.A. 1939 | Awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard and Eric Wieschaus, for discoveries concerning the genetic control of early embryonic development. |
| Louis J. Ignarro | Pharmacologist | Pharmacology | PhD 1966 | Shared the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Robert F. Furchgott and Ferid Murad for their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. |
| Daniel McFadden | Economist | Economics | B.S. Physics 1957, PhD 1962 | Received the 2000 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, shared with James Heckman, for his development of theory and methods for analyzing discrete choice. |
| Brian Kobilka | Biochemist | Biology and Chemistry | B.S. 1977 | Shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Robert Lefkowitz for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors, key to cellular signaling processes. |
| Lars Peter Hansen | Economist | Economics | PhD 1978 | Awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, shared with Eugene Fama and Robert Shiller, for their empirical analysis of asset prices. |
| Bob Dylan | Singer-songwriter | attended (did not graduate) | Received the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. |