Washington State University (WSU), the state's land-grant institution founded in 1890 and located in Pullman, Washington, boasts a rich legacy of notable alumni from Washington State University who have shaped fields from science and agriculture to sports and leadership. These famous graduates of Washington State University exemplify the university's commitment to research, innovation, and public service, offering inspiration for current students, faculty, staff, parents, and job seekers eyeing opportunities in higher education.
The importance of WSU's alumni network cannot be overstated. With over 280,000 living alumni worldwide, it provides robust connections for career advancement, as highlighted by the Washington State University Alumni Association. For job seekers, this translates to access to influential leaders in academia, industry, and government, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Exploring Rate My Professor reviews for WSU faculty can help prospective students gauge teaching quality that fosters such success.
Key categories include Nobel laureates, such as Irwin Rose (class of 1948), who won the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work on ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation after his first year of undergraduate study at WSU, and Norman Borlaug, honored with a WSU honorary doctorate for his Green Revolution efforts that averted global famines. In academia and leadership, alumni like Howard Bowen (B.A. 1929, M.A. 1933), former president of the University of Iowa and other institutions, underscore WSU's impact on higher education administration. Sports figures dominate too, with numerous NFL stars; check the sports figures section or WSU's Athletics Hall of Fame for top players.
Unique aspects shine in WSU's agricultural and veterinary strengths, producing breakthroughs in food security and animal health. Implications for you? Attending WSU means joining a community driving real-world change, with alumni influencing policy and innovation. Job seekers can tap into Pullman opportunities via academic jobs in Pullman or higher ed jobs, while students benefit from this pedigree. For career advice, see how to write a winning academic CV. Detailed lists appear on sites like Wikipedia's WSU alumni page, confirming over 100 notables per EduRank.
This overview reveals WSU's global reach, from Nobel wins to NFL grids, empowering your path in Pullman or beyond.
Discover the impressive range of Washington State University notable alumni who have made waves in sports, entertainment, politics, and beyond. From gridiron legends to Hollywood stars, these famous graduates of Washington State University showcase the Cougars' impact on global stages. While WSU hasn't produced U.S. presidents or Nobel laureates, its alumni excel in high-profile fields, inspiring students and job seekers eyeing careers in competitive arenas. Dive into categories with entertaining facts on top standouts—perfect motivation as you consider WSU in Pullman, Washington. For full lists, see sports figures, entertainment figures, and politics.
WSU's athletic program has launched numerous pros, especially in football and basketball, fueling the university's fierce rivalry with the University of Washington. Top NFL and NBA talents highlight Cougar pride.
Notable alumni from Washington State University light up screens and airwaves, blending small-town Pullman roots with big-time fame.
Influential leaders from WSU shape policy in Washington state and beyond.
No billionaires spotlighted, but trailblazers like Orville Vogel (wheat breeder, enabled Green Revolution feeding billions). Explore more at WSU's alumni page or official alumni site. Check Rate My Professor for WSU faculty while job hunting via higher ed jobs.
Washington State University (WSU) has produced a remarkable array of notable alumni from Washington State University who have left indelible marks across fields like science, sports, and leadership. Picture this: Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, received an honorary doctorate from WSU and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work that saved billions from starvation through high-yield crops. It's the kind of world-changing impact that inspires current students dreaming big in agriculture or global food security.
Then there's Irwin Rose, who spent his first undergraduate year at WSU before earning the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries on ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation—essential for understanding cellular processes and diseases like cancer. Though he transferred, his early time in Pullman laid foundational stones for a groundbreaking career. For literature lovers, Mario Vargas Llosa, the 2010 Nobel laureate in Literature, served as visiting faculty at WSU in 1968-69, enriching the campus with his Peruvian storytelling prowess during his rise to fame.
Sports enthusiasts celebrate WSU's pipeline to the NFL, with alumni like Drew Bledsoe, the No. 1 draft pick in 1993 who quarterbacked the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl. Check out the sports figures for more on these gridiron heroes. In business, Scott Crump invented 3D printing as we know it, founding Stratasys and revolutionizing manufacturing. These famous graduates of Washington State University showcase the Cougars' knack for fostering innovation and grit.
From coffee entrepreneur Philip Meech taking roasts global with Caffè Lusso to university presidents like Howard Bowen shaping higher education, WSU alumni stories are packed with entertaining insights and achievements. Aspiring leaders can draw motivation here—many started in Pullman amid the Palouse hills. For more, explore the official WSU alumni list on Wikipedia or the WSU Magazine's notable alumni features.
If these tales spark your interest in WSU faculty, head to Rate My Professor for candid reviews from students. Job seekers eyeing academia nearby should browse higher ed jobs in Pullman, Washington, or get career tips via how to write a winning academic CV. WSU's legacy proves that from this land-grant powerhouse, ordinary students become extraordinary influencers.
Washington State University (WSU) alumni have made their mark in entertainment as actors, musicians, composers, gamers, and chess masters, contributing innovative performances, creative storytelling, and competitive excellence to global industries like film, music, gaming, and chess.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward R. Murrow | Broadcaster | Speech | 1930 | Pioneering broadcast journalist who attended WSU and became a legendary CBS reporter, influencing television news and earning the namesake Murrow College of Communication. |
| Baker Maultsby | Actor | Drama | 1959 | Actor recognized for his work in theater and film, with a Bachelor of Arts in drama from WSU. |
| Dolph Lundgren | Actor | Chemical Engineering | unknown | Swedish-American actor best known for playing the Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV and starring in numerous action films including The Expendables series. |
Washington State University (WSU) boasts a rich tradition in athletics, particularly producing elite athletes in American football, basketball, track and field, and volleyball who have thrived in professional leagues like the NFL and NBA, as well as Olympic competitions. These Cougar alumni exemplify excellence, securing draft picks, championships, world records, and hall of fame inductions that highlight WSU's impact on sports.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foluke Akinradewo | Professional Volleyball Player | 2003-2006 | Two-time Olympian and AVP star who won Olympic gold in 2012 and 2020 with the U.S. national team. | |
| Leon Bender | NFL Defensive End | 1977-1980 | Played nine NFL seasons, including with the New Orleans Saints, after All-American honors at WSU. | |
| James Williams | NBA Forward | 1982-1985 | Played five NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers after starring at WSU. | |
| George Raveling | Basketball Coach and Player | 1957-1960 | WSU basketball player who later became Hall of Fame coach at Penn, Iowa, and USC. | |
| Steve Broussard | NFL Running Back | 1986-1989 | NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals, known for his speed and WSU rushing prowess. | |
| Timm Rosenbach | NFL Quarterback | 1985-1988 | First-round supplemental draft pick by the Phoenix Cardinals after leading WSU to a 1988 Holiday Bowl win. | |
| Aaron Baynes | NBA Center | 2007-2009 | Australian professional basketball player who appeared in over 400 NBA games with teams like the Boston Celtics. | |
| Henry Rono | Track and Field Athlete | 1976-1979 | Set four world records in 1978 at WSU, including the 3000m steeplechase, and won multiple international titles. | |
| Rueben Mayes | NFL Running Back | 1981-1984 | 1986 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the New Orleans Saints after a stellar WSU career. | |
| Jack Thompson | NFL Quarterback | 1972-1975 | Known as the 'Throwin' Samoan,' third-round pick who played eight NFL seasons and set WSU passing records. | |
| Mark Rypien | NFL Quarterback | Physical Education | 1982-1985 | Super Bowl XXV MVP with the Washington Redskins and WSU quarterback who played 11 NFL seasons. |
| Ryan Leaf | NFL Quarterback | 1995-1997 | Selected No. 2 overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers after setting Pac-10 records at WSU. | |
| Drew Bledsoe | NFL Quarterback | 1990-1992 | No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, led the team to Super Bowl XXXI, and played 14 NFL seasons. |
Washington State University alumni have contributed to U.S. politics at federal and state levels, including roles in Congress and Washington state legislatures, with categories encompassing U.S. politicians; no prominent international figures or royalty and nobility identified. These graduates have influenced public policy and governance through dedicated service.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley A. D'Ewart | U.S. Representative | unknown | Served as a Republican U.S. Representative for Montana's at-large congressional district from 1945 to 1955, focusing on agricultural and public lands issues. | |
| James G. Dickson | Washington State Senator | unknown | Represented constituents in the Washington State Senate, contributing to state legislation during his tenure. | |
| Donald A. Duncan | Washington State Representative | unknown | Served in the Washington House of Representatives, advocating for local and state matters. | |
| John C. Early | Washington State Senator | unknown | Held a seat in the Washington State Senate, participating in key state policy decisions. | |
| Lloyd J. Andrews | Washington State Representative | unknown | Elected to the Washington House of Representatives, serving in state government. |
