List of Utah State University alumni

Notable Alumni

Harry Reid BS '61, U.S. Senator, D-NV
Chris Cooley 2-time NFL Pro Bowl tight end
Dennis Black, Iowa State Representative
William Marion Jardine, Secretary of Agriculture (1925-1929); Ambassador to Egypt (1930-1933)
Lars Peter Hansen, B.S. 1974, Economist
See also: List of Utah State University presidents and List of Utah State University faculty

This list of Utah State University alumni includes notable graduates, non-graduate former students, and current students of Utah State University (USU), a public, land-grant, research university located in Logan, Utah. This list does not contain the names of presidents or faculty of the university, unless they happen also to be alumni.

Founded in 1888 under the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act as the Agricultural College of Utah, USU has grown to more than 28,000 students. Although it is headquartered in Logan, USU operates throughout the state of Utah through 5 regional campuses and more than 20 distance education sites. On June 13, 1899, graduates of the Agricultural College of Utah met to create the Alumni Association.[1] Today, the Alumni Association is located in the historic David B. Haight Alumni Center, which was dedicated July 11, 1991.[2] Alumni chapters exist in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Washington DC.[3] USU boasts more than 180,000 alumni in each U.S. state and more than 100 countries.[4]

Contents

Activism

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Bass, RickRick Bass 1979 B.S. Geology Writer and environmental activist [4]
Carr, Gregory C.Gregory C. Carr 1982 B.S. History Entrepreneur, human rights activist, and founder of the Gregory C. Carr Foundation which supports human rights, education and the arts. [4]
Carr, SteveSteve Carr 1981 B.S. First-ever American elected to Standing Commission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the organization's highest governing body
Johnson, SoniaSonia Johnson 1959 B.S. Feminist
Yatani, ChoichirōChoichirō Yatani 1980 B.S. Peace activist and professor of psychology at Alfred State College and Alfred University
Nelson, John C.John C. Nelson 1965 B.S. Biology Practicing obstetrician in Salt Lake City, Utah, and former President of the American Medical Association. Domestic violence and child abuse activist. Spokesperson for the "Stop America's Violence Everywhere" campaign for the AMA Alliance [4]
Stuart, DianeDiane Stuart 1990 M.S. Family Consumer Human Development Directs the Office on Violence Against Women in the U.S. Department of Justice. Previously worked as state coordinator for the Utah Domestic Violence Cabinet Council and as a domestic violence victim advocacy specialist in Utah's Division of Child and Family Services. Stuart began her career as executive director of the Battered Women's Shelter and Rape Crisis Center in Logan. [4]

Business

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Beuhler, VernVern Beuhler 1941 B.S. Founder of the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence
Bunsumpun, PrasertPrasert Bunsumpun 1978 MBA President & CEO, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand's only Fortune Global 500 company
Bushnell, NolanNolan Bushnell Founded both Atari Inc. and the Chuck E. Cheese's chain
Carr, Gregory C.Gregory C. Carr 1982 B.S. History Entrepreneur. Founded the company that first developed voice mail; chaired Prodigy, an early global ISP. [4]
Chakela, Lulama PatriciaLulama Patricia Chakela 1989 MS Head of Broadcasting, SABC
Denson, CharlieCharlie Denson 1978 B.S. Marketing President of Nike Brand [4][5]
Faccinto, Jr., AlAl Faccinto, Jr. 1972 B.S. President & COO, MGM Mirage International, Inc.
Hansen, Lars PeterLars Peter Hansen 1974 B.S. Award-winning economist
Lindsey, JasonJason Lindsey 1995 B.A. M.A. Co-founder, President of Overstock.com
Neilson, Shelly AndersonShelly Anderson Neilson 2001 Human Resource Management Entrepreneur, Owner of Say Anything Expressions, a vinyl home decor company [6]
Parkinson, WardWard Parkinson 1969 B.S. Electrical Engineering Founder of Micron Technology, VP for Commercial Development of Ovonyx, Inc. [4]
Quigley, James H.James H. Quigley 1974 B.S. Accounting CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, named Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by "Accounting Today" in 2003. Serves on the Board of Trustees of the Central Park Conservancy and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. [4][7]
Stevenson, GaryGary Stevenson 1979 B.A. Co-founder, ICON Health & Fitness
Toolson, KayKay Toolson 1969, 70 B.S. Marketing, M.B.A. CEO, Monaco Coach Corporation [4]
Watterson, ScottScott Watterson 1979 Co-founder, ICON Health & Fitness
Adams, J. PhillipJ. Phillip Adams 1978 B.S. Business Administration President and CEO, Flying J, the largest distributor of diesel fuel in North America. [4]
Christensen, W. BoydW. Boyd Christensen 1948 B.S. Business Administration Retired President and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for All-State Insurance. [4]
Forzani, JohnJohn Forzani 1971 B.S. Physical Education Founder, Forzani Group, Canada's largest sporting goods retailer with 215 company-owned stores under the names Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Chek and Sport Mart. [4]
Labrum, Ron K.Ron K. Labrum 1983 B.S. Marketing President and CEO of Integrated Provider Solutions for Cardinal Health [4]
Murray, Robert B.Robert B. Murray 1951 B.S. Business Administration Chairman of the Board for Alpine Confections, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of candy products. Former President and Owner of the Steve Regan Company. [4]
Ryan, JimJim Ryan 1971, 74 B.S. History, B.S. Business Administration Retired President and CEO for Volvo Commercial Finance [4]
Sanford, James L.James L. Sanford 1975 M.B.A. Corporate VP and Treasurer for Northrop Grumman, a global defense company. [4]
Wang, DonDon Wang 1972 M.S., Nutrition and Food Science Chairman and President of MetroCorp Bancshares, a Texas corporation which, through its subsidary MetroBank, N.A., provides community banking services in Houston and Dallas. [4]
Hays, JosephJoseph Hays 1953 B.S. Journalism Consultant to the CEO of Tribune Co. in Chicago, Illinois. Established the Hays Group, a consulting firm that provides counsel to companies on communications policies and enhancing shareholder value. Advises non-profit organizations on strategic planning and fund raising. [4]
Motta, DickDick Motta 1953 B.S. Physical Education Owner of the Bluebird Inn in Logan and the Bluebird Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bear Lake, Utah. Former NBA coach and color commentator. Coach, Chicago Bulls, Washington Bullets and Dallas Mavericks. NBA Coach of the Year in 1971 and won an NBA Championship while coaching the Washington Bullets. [4]
Wayman, Josey BarnesJosey Barnes Wayman 1951 B.S. Speech, English Distinguished nine-year career in television, and rose from model, to hostess of a daily program, to women's program director. Three consecutive Lifeline of America broadcast awards and hosted the first weekly network program and colored television program in the Intermountain West. [4]
Hamilton, Justin R.Justin R. Hamilton 2009 B.S. Economics & Political Science Owner and Founder of Cafe Sabor, a Mexican Bistro, and Hamilton's, a Steak House, both located in Logan, UT. [8]

Education

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Bott, Randy L.Randy L. Bott 1970, 75 B.S. M.S. Named #1 Professor in the U.S. by RateMyProfessors.com
Eyre, RichardRichard Eyre 1968 B.S. Co-author, with his wife Linda J. Eyre, of 33 books on parenting, including New York Times #1 Best Seller Teaching Your Children Values; developed and founded Joy Schools preschool system
Eyre, Linda J.Linda J. Eyre 1970 B.S. Co-author, with her husband Richard Eyre, of 33 books on parenting, including New York Times #1 Best Seller Teaching Your Children Values; developed and founded Joy Schools preschool system
Santiwat, MathanaMathana Santiwat 1978 MAcc President of Bangkok University, Thailand
Stevens, BartBart Stevens 2002 B.S. Director, Bureau of Indian Education
Van Schaack, AndyAndy Van Schaack 2002, 08 B.S., Ph.D. Co-inventor of the Livescribe smartpen
Beck-Dudley, CarynCaryn Beck-Dudley 1980 B.S. Political Science Dean of the College of Business at Florida State University, first female Dean of the Huntsman School of Business (2002-2005) [4]
Castruita, RudyRudy Castruita 1966, 67 B.S. Physical Education, M.S. Physical Education Former Superintendent of the Sand Diego County Office of Education [4]

Government & politics

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Benson, Ezra TaftEzra Taft Benson U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1953–61)
Black, DennisDennis Black B.S. Forest Management; M.S. Natural Resources Economics Democratic politician, representing the 21st District in the Iowa Senate since 1995
Burton, Laurence J.Laurence J. Burton 1956 Elected as a Republican to the Eighty-eighth and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1963-January 3, 1971). [9]
Clark, KathleenKathleen Clark 1972 B.S. Political Science First woman to be appointed Director of the Bureau of Land Management (2002–07) [4]
Dowdeswell, ElizabethElizabeth Dowdeswell 1972 M.S. Behavioral Sciences Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (1993-98), Canada's permanent representative to the World Meteorological Organization, and has been twice elected to its executive council. [4]
al-Faiz, NorahNorah al-Faiz 1982 MEd Deputy Minister for Women's Education in Saudi Arabia. First woman appointed to ministerial post in Saudi Arabia. [4]
Ford, John GardnerJohn Gardner Ford 1975 B.S. Son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, attended USU during his presidency.
Ford, StevenSteven Ford Son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, attended USU during his presidency.
Guinn, KennyKenny Guinn 1970 Ed.D. Educational Administration Governor of Nevada [4]
Clyde, George D.George D. Clyde 1921 B.S. Governor of Utah
Hawkins, PaulaPaula Hawkins First woman ever elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate without a family connection (1981-87)
Jarvis, HowardHoward Jarvis Anti-tax activist in California
Jardine, William MarionWilliam Marion Jardine 1925 PhD U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1925-1929), U.S. Ambassador to Egypt
Mecham, EvanEvan Mecham Governor of Arizona
Mosman, Michael W.Michael W. Mosman 1981 B.S. Federal District Judge
Okun, DeannaDeanna Okun 1985 B.A. Political Science Commissioner, U.S. International Trade Commission. Previous associate attorney and member of the International Trade Group at the Washington, D.C., law firm of Hogan & Hartson. [4]
Reid, HarryHarry Reid 1961 B.S. Political Science U.S. Senator, D-NV; current U.S. Senate Majority Leader. Youngest Lieutenant Governor in Nevada's history [4]
Simpson, MikeMike Simpson 1972 B.S. U.S. House of Representatives, R-ID
Westwood, JeanJean Westwood First female Chair of the Democratic National Committee (1972)
Zahedi, ArdeshirArdeshir Zahedi 1950 B.S. Animal Science Former Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United States [4]

Humanities and fine arts

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Ballam, MichaelMichael Ballam 1972 B.S. Music Renowned tenor. Founder and Director of the Utah Festival Opera. Author of more than 30 publications and music recordings. [4]
Bass, RickRick Bass 1979 PEN/O.Henry prize-winning novelist, essayist
Cowan, ReedReed Cowan 1998 B.S. Emmy Award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker
Edwards, GlenGlen Edwards 1962, 76 B.S.,M.F.A. Award-winning watercolor and oil painter
Hall, Douglas KentDouglas Kent Hall Writer and photographer
Jessop, CraigCraig Jessop 1973 B.S. Music director; former director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Jones, LeeLee Jones 1979, 87 M.S., Ph.D. President of Houghton Mifflin-Riverside Publishing
Lewis, AlAl Lewis 1975 Broadcast Journalism Known as the "Voice of the Aggies" for KVNU Radio, former announcer at Romney Stadium and the Smith Spectrum. [10]
Olsen, GregGreg Olsen Prolific Mormon Painter
Quayle, DonDon Quayle 1952, 63 B.S., M.S. First President of National Public Radio
Ransom, BillBill Ransom 1998 M.A. Science fiction writer; Stegner Fellow at Stanford
Rawlins, ChipChip Rawlins 1974, 83 B.S., M.S. Non-fiction writer, poet
Shipps, JanJan Shipps 1961 B.S. Historian of Mormonism
Swenson, MayMay Swenson 1934 B.S. Renowned poet, Chancellor of Academy of American Poets
Teare, BradBrad Teare American painter and illustrator
Walton, MarkMark Walton 1998 B.F.A. Annie-nominated voice actor and story artist, known as the voice of "Rhino" in the movie Bolt
Wasden, KevinKevin Wasden 2008 B.A. Science fiction and fantasy artist and illustrator

Military

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Cannon, John K.John K. Cannon 1914 Air Commander-in-Chief, Allied Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, World War II; 4-star General
Maughan, RussellRussell Maughan 1917 Pilot of first-ever dawn-to-dusk transcontinental flight across the United States
Nielsen, ChaseChase Nielsen 1939 Participant in Doolittle Raid, career U.S. Air Force officer

Religion

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Benson, Ezra TaftEzra Taft Benson President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
Brown, Hugh B.Hugh B. Brown Member of the First Presidency of the LDS Church
Cook, Quentin L.Quentin L. Cook 1964 B.S. Member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church
Haight, David B.David B. Haight 1929 Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church [4]
Kerr, W. RolfeW. Rolfe Kerr 1960, 66 B.S., M.S. Commissioner of Education of the LDS Church
Packer, Boyd K.Boyd K. Packer 1949, 53 B.S.,M.S. President of the LDS Church's Quorum of Twelve Apostles
Parkin, Bonnie D.Bonnie D. Parkin 1962 B.S. Early Childhood Education 14th General President of the Relief Society of LDS Church [4]
Perry, L. TomL. Tom Perry 1949 B.S. Business Administration Member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church [4]
Shipps, JanJan Shipps 1961 B.S. History Preeminent non-Mormon expert on Mormonism and Professor Emeritus of history and religious studies in the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University. [4]

Science

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Baldwin, NathanielNathaniel Baldwin Inventor of headphones
Cleave, Mary L.Mary L. Cleave 1975, 80 M.S. Biology, Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering NASA Astronaut [4]
Daines, Richard F.Richard F. Daines 1974 B.S. Commissioner of Health for New York State, head of the New York Department of Health
Gandhi, Niranjan R.Niranjan R. Gandhi 1970, 72 MS, Ph.D. President of Jeniel Biotech. World-renowned biotechnologist and food scientist. [4][11]
Plutonium, ArchimedesArchimedes Plutonium 1979 MEd (as Ludwig van Ludvig), notable Usenet personality
Yang, Shang FaShang Fa Yang 1963 Ph.D. Research unlocked key to prolonging freshness in fruits and flowers; 1991 Wolf Prize in Agriculture, considered the "Nobel Prize of Agriculture"
Weckler, Gene P.Gene P. Weckler 1958 B.S. Electrical Engineering President of Rad-icon Imaging Corporation, a company he started in 1997 to produce CMOS images and cameras. Weckler holds 14 patents concerning Semiconductor Devices for Signal Processing and Image Sensing. He received the Distinguished Alumnus award for Electrical Engineering in 1988. [4]

Sports

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Edwards, LaVellLaVell Edwards 1952 B.S. Physical Education College Football Hall of Fame coach; head coach of 1984 National Champion BYU Cougars [4]
Aldridge, LionelLionel Aldridge former NFL defensive end, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers
Baer, KentKent Baer 1974 B.S. Former head football coach, Notre Dame; defensive coordinator at many universities
Baird, RickRick Baird 2000 U.S. Bobsled Team, 1998–2003; forerunner during 2002 Winter Olympics
Berry, EdEd Berry Former NFL defensive back, Green Bay Packers
Blake, Jay DonJay Don Blake Professional golfer and PGA Tour winner
Calvillo, AnthonyAnthony Calvillo All-time leading passer and star quarterback in the Canadian Football League
Cooley, ChrisChris Cooley 2-time NFL Pro Bowl tight end, currently with the Washington Redskins
Curtis, KevinKevin Curtis 2003 B.S. NFL wide receiver, currently with the Philadelphia Eagles
Fiat, KyleKyle Fiat Professional lacrosse player, Philadelphia Wings
Flippen, Mary Lou RammMary Lou Ramm Flippen 1984 B.S. Inaugural National Softball Hall of Fame inductee, played for Team USA
Forman, GarGar Forman 1984 B.S. Current General Manager, Chicago Bulls
Green, CornellCornell Green Former NFL defensive back, Dallas Cowboys. Played basketball at USU.
Henderson, DonnieDonnie Henderson 1986 B.S. Former defensive coordinator, New York Jets and Detroit Lions
Hipple, EricEric Hipple 1980 B.S. Former starting NFL quarterback, Detroit Lions
Johnson, PhilPhil Johnson 1963, 65 B.S., M.S. Former NBA head coach; currently longtime assistant coach, Utah Jazz; named NBA's top assistant coach three times
Jones, RulonRulon Jones 1987 B.S. Former NFL defensive lineman, Denver Broncos. AFC Defensive Player of the Year, 1986.
Kragen, GregGreg Kragen 2005 B.S. Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Carolina Panthers
Motta, DickDick Motta 1953 B.S. One of top 10 winningest NBA head coaches of all time; NBA Coach of the Year, 1971; head coach of 1978 NBA champion Washington Bullets
Olsen, MerlinMerlin Olsen 1962, 71 B.S. Finance, M.S. College and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle, later NFL analyst and TV personality. Selected to 14 Pro Bowls. 1974 NFL MVP. Actor notable for Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphey. [4]
Olsen, PhilPhil Olsen 1970 B.S. Former NFL center and defensive tackle, Boston Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills
Parrish, NormNorm Parrish 1994 MEd NJCAA Division I men's basketball Coach of the Year, 2009; NJCAA National Champions, 2009 (Salt Lake CC)
Rohde, LenLen Rohde 1960 B.S. Former NFL Pro Bowl tackle, San Francisco 49ers
Silvester, JayJay Silvester 1959, 71 B.S., M.S. 4-time Olympian discus thrower, silver medal (1972); broke world record four times, first to throw 60 meters
McCullough, MichaelMichael McCullough 1984 B.S. Political Science Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Miami Heat. [4]
Motta, DickDick Motta 1953 B.S. Physical Education Owner of the Bluebird Inn in Logan and the Bluebird Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bear Lake, Utah. Former NBA coach and color commentator. Coach, Chicago Bulls, Washington Bullets and Dallas Mavericks. NBA Coach of the Year in 1971 and won an NBA Championship while coaching the Washington Bullets. [4]

Miscellaneous

Name Class year(s) Degree(s) Notability Reference
Deeb, FreddyFreddy Deeb Professional poker player, World Series of Poker; over $6,000,000 in live tournament winnings
Wright, BrandonBrandon Wright Student trapped underneath a burning car rescued by fellow students, construction workers, and emergency responders. Video of the rescue made international news. [12][13]
Hofmann, MarkMark Hofmann Author of the Salamander Letter and convicted murderer.

References

  1. ^ Simmonds, A.J. (1991). "Utah State University's David B. Haight Alumni Center". 
  2. ^ "David B. Haight Alumni Center". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/alumni/alumni_center/. Retrieved 06 November 2011. 
  3. ^ "Utah State Alumni Association Chapters". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/alumni/chapters/. Retrieved 06 November 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap "Utah State University Greats". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/greats/alumni/index.cfm?article=19028. Retrieved 06 November 2011. 
  5. ^ http://www.nikebiz.com/media/executives/charlie_denson.html
  6. ^ "Alumni Hall of Honor Inductees 2011". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=50521. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
  7. ^ Robinson, Doug (07 November 2011). "A student of leadership: Former Deloitte CEO Jim Quigley never forgot his roots". The Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700195653/A-student-of-leadership-Former-Deloitte-CEO-Jim-Quigley-never-forgot-his-roots.html. Retrieved 08 November 2011. 
  8. ^ "Alumni Hall of Honor Inductees 2011". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=50521. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
  9. ^ "Burton, Laurence Junior, (1926 - 2002)". United Sates of America, Congress. DATE. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001155. Retrieved 20 December 2011. 
  10. ^ "Alumni Hall of Honor Inductees 2011". Utah State University. http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=50521. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
  11. ^ Owner of Jeneil Biotech, Inc.
  12. ^ http://usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=50216
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fCdyHXXVvM
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