Distinguished Alumni of The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University (OSU) has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. From Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners to renowned athletes, artists, and political leaders, OSU alumni have made significant contributions to society. This article aims to highlight some of the most notable figures who have been associated with the university, showcasing the breadth and depth of talent that has emerged from its halls. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. This is a list of Ohio State University people who have some significant affiliation with the school. Individuals listed may have only attended the university at one point, and not necessarily have graduated.

Nobel Laureates

OSU can proudly claim two Nobel laureates among its alumni:

Paul Flory: Awarded the 1974 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (Ph.D.).
William A. Fowler: Awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physics (B.S.).

Pulitzer Prize Winners

Several OSU alumni have been recognized with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for their outstanding work in journalism and literature:

Paul H. Buck: Awarded the 1938 Pulitzer Prize in History (B.A. 1921, M.A.).
Walt Bogdanich: Specialized Reporting 1988; National Reporting 2005; Investigative Reporting 2008 (M.A.).
Diana Sugg: Best Reporting 2003 (M.A.).
Julia Keller: Columnist for Chicago Tribune; 2005 Pulitzer Prize recipient (Ph.D.).

Academia

OSU has produced a remarkable number of influential figures in academia, many of whom have gone on to lead universities, conduct groundbreaking research, and shape the minds of future generations. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have left an indelible mark on the world of higher education.

Michael F. Adams: Former president, University of Georgia (M.A. 1971, Ph.D.).
Omer Clyde Aderhold: Former president, University of Georgia (Ph.D.).
Carol Anderson: Professor of African-American studies at Emory University (Ph.D.).
T. V. Rajan Babu: Professor of chemistry at Ohio State University (Ph.D.).
Steve Ballard: Chancellor, East Carolina University (Ph.D.).
John Bardo: Educator, president of Wichita State University, chancellor of Western Carolina University (Ph.D.).
James Bonk: Longtime chemistry professor, Duke University (Ph.D.).
Douglas Brinkley: Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Center for American Civilization at Tulane University (B.A.).
Molly Corbett Broad: President of the University of North Carolina System (M.S.).
Calvin Adam Buehler: Professor and chair of the Chemistry Department at University of Tennessee (B.S. 1918, M.S. 1920, Ph.D.).
Neil W. Chamberlain: Economist and industrial relations scholar at Yale and Columbia Universities (Ph.D.).
Phyllis Worthy Dawkins: 18th president of Bennett College (Ph.D.).
Charles Edgar Dickinson: Landscape architect and faculty at Lincoln University (B.A., M.S., Ph.D.).
Helen G. Edmonds: Professor of history at North Carolina Central University, first black woman to earn a Ph.D.
Algeania Freeman: President of Wilberforce University, Martin University, and Livingstone College (Ph.D.).
Perry A. Frey: Professor of biochemistry at University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.S.).
Harold J. John R. Halstead: President of SUNY-Brockport (Ph.D.).
Charles F. Hockett: Linguist, professor at Cornell University (B.A./M.A.).
Philip G. Hoffman: Former president of the University of Houston (1961-1977); first chancellor of the University of Houston System (1977-1979) (Ph.D.).
George Kohlrieser: Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Institute for Management Development IMD, Lausanne (Ph.D.).
John L. Koprowski: Dean of the Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources University of Wyoming, director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Arizona, conservation biologist (B.S.).
Murray Krieger: Literary critic and theorist, professor at the University of Iowa and the University of California, Irvine (Ph.D.).
Vijay Kumar: Professor in the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania (M.Sc. 1985; Ph.D.).
Lois Lampe: Botanist and educator, professor emerita (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in 1919, Master of Science in 1922 and a Ph.D.
Esther Kim Lee: Frances Fox Professor of Theater Studies, International Comparative Studies, and History; Director of Asian American and Diaspora Studies, Duke University (PhD, theatre '00).
Oliver McGee: Former chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Geodetic Science at the Ohio State University (2001-2005) (B.S.).
Richard Thacker Morris: Professor of sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles, chairman of the Sociology Department at UCLA, author (Ph.D.).
Gwendolyn O'Neal: Home economist and interim president of Bennett College (Ph.D.).
Calie Pistorius: Vice chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria in South Africa (M.S. 1984; Ph.D.).
Michael J. W. Sherman Savage: Professor of history at Lincoln University (1921-1960); first African-American to earn a doctorate from Ohio State (Ph.D.).
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr.: Historian, namesake of Schlesinger Library at Harvard University (B.A.).
Amit P. Sheth: Professor at Wright State University and director of Kno.e.sis Center (M.S. 1983; Ph.D.).
Paul Torgersen: President of Virginia Tech (M.S. 1956; Ph.D.).
Nancy L. Zimpher: Chancellor, State University of New York system (BA 1968; M.A. 1971; Ph.D.).

Arts and Entertainment

OSU has cultivated a vibrant community of artists, actors, musicians, and writers who have achieved recognition in their respective fields. These alumni have contributed to the cultural landscape through their creative works and performances.

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James Akins: (B.M. 1978; M.M.
Natalia Arbelaez: (M.F.A.
Lee Adams: Writer, librettist. Tony Award for Best Musical in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie (BA, theatre '49).
Zachry J. Bailey: Stage manager (BA, theatre '17).
William Barclay: Scenic designer and art director for stage and screen (MFA, theatre '76).
Les Biederman: Sports writer, columnist and editor for The Pittsburgh Press (B.A.
Jocelyn Bioh: Playwright, actor (BA, English '05).
Budd Boetticher: Film director.
Marc Butan: Film producer and founder of MadRiver Pictures (B.A., BS, accounting '93).
Raymond Caldwell: Producing Artistic Director and Executive Director of Theatre Alliance (MFA, theatre '06).
Dorothy Canfield Fisher: Novelist and education activist (B.A.).
Shane Cinal: Scenic Designer for The Bear (FX) (MFA, theatre '15).
Matt Derksen: Animation artist. Head of Rigging at Industrial Light and Magic. 2018 Oscar for technical achievement (BA, art '01; MFA, art '04).
Howie Deutch: Film and television director (BS, education '72).
John Donkin: Producer of 2007 Academy Award-nominated animated short No Time for Nuts (B.A., photography and cinema '83; M.A., art education '86, M.S.).
Ruby Elzy: Break-through African-American operatic soprano who created the role of Serena in George Gershwin's folk opera Porgy and Bess (B.S.).
Harlan Ellison: Writer.
Charles W. Fries: Film and television producer. Former Vice President of Columbia Pictures (BS, business administration '50; DRH '86).
Brian Gage: Author of satire, fairy tales, and fiction (B.S.).
Jan Groover: Photographer noted for her use of emerging color technologies (M.A.).
Virginia Hamilton: Author (M.A.).
Don Handfield: Director, producer, writer, actor (BA, journalism '93).
Karen Harper: Author (B.A. 1967, M.A.).
Patricia Heaton: Actor. Two-time Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for Everybody Loves Raymond. Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Program for Patricia Heaton Parties (BA, theatre '80).
Eileen Heckart: Multi-award-winning actor. 1973 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Butterflies Are Free. 2000 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play; Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance; and Outer Critics Circle Award for The Waverly Gallery. 1957 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress--Motion Picture for The Bad Seed. 1997 National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble for The First Wives Club. 1994 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Love and War. 1953 Theatre World Award for Picnic. 2000 Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre (BA, theatre '42).
Kermit Hunter: Playwright (B.A., BA, theatre '31).
Toni-Leslie James: Costume designer for stage and film. 1997 Irene Sharaff Young Masters Award. 2009 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design. Tony Award nominations for Jelly's Last Jam (1992), Jitney (2017), and Bernhardt/Hamlet (2018) (BFA, theatre, '79).
Chris Jones: Editorial page editor and chief theatre critic for The Chicago Tribune and Broadway critic for New York Daily News. Author of Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from 'Angels in America' to 'Hamilton' (MA, theatre '86; PhD, theatre '89).
Charles W. James C. Katz: Film restoration expert responsible for restoring the original prints of Rear Window, Lawrence of Arabia and My Fair Lady (B.A., BA, journalism '60).
Adrienne Kennedy: Playwright, multiple Obie Award recipient, Guggenheim Fellow (B.A., BS, education '53; DRH, '03).
Jerome Lawrence: Playwright (B.A., theatre '37; DRH, '63).
Peter Lawrence: Production stage manager. 2013 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre (BA, theatre '66).
Samella Lewis: Artist, printmaker, art historian and scholar of African-American art, first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in fine arts and art history (M.A. 1948 Ph.D.).
Richard Lewis: Comedian, actor, writer (B.S., BA, marketing and communications '69).
Jeffrey Light: Animator (BFA, art '78; MA, photography and cinema '83).
Patrick Markey: Film and television producer (BA, theatre '77).
Vince Mendoza: Musician and composer of jazz (B.A.).
Joel Meyerowitz: Photojournalist, Guggenheim Fellow chronicler of the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack (B.A.).
Bonnie Milligan: Stage actor. 2023 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for Kimberly Akimbo (BA, theatre '06).
Stephen Montague: Composer and worldwide touring musician (2000 distinguished alumnus) (Ph.D.).
Erin Moriarty: CBS news correspondent and nine-time Emmy Award recipient (B.S. 1973; J.D.).
Reynelda Muse: First woman and first African-American to anchor a television news program in Colorado (B.A.).
Monica White Ndounou: Associate professor, Dartmouth. Founding Executive Director, CRAFT Institute. Founding member, National Advisory Committee of The Black Seed. Co-founder, CreatEnsemble.com (PhD, theatre '07).
Aimee Nezhukumatathil: Poet (B.A. and M.F.A.).
Charles Newirth: Film producer (BA, photography and cinema '77).
Warren Ostergard: Film producer (BS, sports and leisure '98).
Joseph W. Papin: Reportorial artist, illustrator, courtroom artist, editorial artist (B.A.).
Ross Patterson: Actor and screenwriter (B.A., BA, communications '99).
Jean Peters: Film actor.
Coyote Peterson: Youtuber and wildlife educator (BA, personalized study program '04).
Clayton Rawson: Mystery writer (B.A.).
Jennifer Reeder: Director, writer, producer. Professor of Moving-Image at the University of Illinois at Chicago (BFA, fine art '94).
Gigi Rice: Actress (B.A., BFA, theatre '87).
Kristen Ruhlin: Actor (BS, fashion and retail studies '06).
Ed Sabol: Filmmaker. Founder of NFL Films. 2003 Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Loren Singer: Novelist and television writer (BA, English '47).
Randy Skinner: Director, choreographer, performer (B.S., BA, education '74).
Spencer Stander: Film and television producer (BA, photography and cinema '93).
Richard Stoltzman: Musician, Avery Fisher Prize-winning clarinetist, Sony Classical recording artist (B.A. Music / B.S.).
R. L. Graeme Sullivan: Artist, author, art theorist, and educator (M.A. and Ph.D.).
Tom Shelly: Television producer. 2001 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstand Non-Fiction Program for Survivor (BFA, photography and cinema '84).
Bruce Vilanch: Comedy writer. Head writer for Academy Awards, 2000-2014. 1991 and 1992 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program (BA, theatre '70).
Dina Waters: Actor with Turner Classic Movies (BA, theatre '88).
Chris Wedge: Director of computer animation films including Ice Age and Robots (M.A., MA, art education '85).
Nar Williams: Film, television, and new media writer and director (BA, theatre '06).
Earl Wilson: New York Post (B.S.).

Business and Philanthropy

OSU alumni have also made significant strides in the world of business, founding successful companies, leading major corporations, and engaging in philanthropic endeavors. Their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to giving back have had a positive impact on society.

Dan Amstutz: Influential expert on agriculture trade with Goldman Sachs, as Ambassador and Chief Negotiator for Agriculture during the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and later executive director of the International Wheat Council in London, England (B.S.).
Carole Black: President and CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services (B.A., BA, English '65).
Max M. Fisher: Philanthropist and businessman; significant donor to and the namesake of the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State (B.S.).
Mark Frissora: Former CEO of Caesars Entertainment, former CEO of The Hertz Corporation and Tenneco (B.A.).
Paul F. Iams: Founder of Iams (B.S.).
William M. Vyomesh Joshi: Executive vice president, HP Imaging and Printing Group (M.S.).
Robert E. Phuthuma Nhleko: CEO of MTN Group, South Africa's largest telecommunications company (B.S.).
Edward J. James E. Rohr: Chairman and CEO of PNC Financial Services Group (B.S.).
Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr: Senior vice president of Wyeth; president of Wyeth Research (B.S. 1973; Ph.D.).
Alex Schoenbaum: Founder of Shoney's Restaurants (B.S.).
George Steinbrenner: One-time head of Cleveland's American Shipbuilding Company; former owner of the New York Yankees, former OSU graduate assistant under Woody Hayes; deceased (M.A.).
Leslie Wexner: CEO, chairman and founder of Limited Brands corporation (B.S.).
Mark Whitacre: COO of Cypress Systems (B.S. M.S.).

Politics and Government

OSU has a long tradition of producing leaders in politics and government, both domestically and internationally. These alumni have served in various capacities, shaping policy, advocating for their constituents, and contributing to the betterment of society.

John C. Abraham
Chester Hardy Aldrich: One-term governor of Nebraska and former justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court (B.A.).
James Akins
Troy Balderson: Ohio's 12th congressional district (B.A.).
Amadou Lamine Ba: Diplomat, Senegal ambassador to the United States (B.S. M.S.).
John W. Bricker: Three-term governor of Ohio; Republican vice presidential nominee in 1944; two-term United States senator from Ohio; co-founder of Bricker & Eckler law firm; associated with the Bricker Amendment, a series of proposed changes to the US Constitution that would have limited the US president's ability to make treaties and executive agreements (B.A. 1916; J.D.).
Chester Crocker: Diplomat; former Undersecretary of State for African Affairs; author of United Nations' Namibian Peace Plan (B.A.).
Dan Crippen: Former director of the Congressional Budget Office (M.A. 1976, Ph.D.).
Tony Dale: Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from suburban Austin, Texas (B.A.).
Grant Devine: Former Progressive Conservative premier of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan (Ph.D.).
Richard A. Heyman
Claude M. Hilton: United States District Court judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (B.S.).
Dave Hobson: Ohio's 7th congressional district (J.D.).
John Kasich: Governor and former congressman from Central Ohio (B.A.).
Robert S. Kiss: Speaker, West Virginia Legislature (B.A.).
Ron Klein: Minority leader, Florida Senate (B.A.).
Alan Lowenthal: California's 47th congressional district (M.S.).
William M. McCulloch: Twelve-term former congressman from Ohio (J.D.).
Colleen McMahon: United States judge for the Southern District of New York (B.A.).
Thomas J. Moyer: Chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (B.A. 1961 J.D.).
William H. Natcher: Fifteen-term former congressman from Kentucky, noted for never taking political contributions (J.D.).
Kevin Olickal: Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (B.S.).
C. Paul Pfeifer: Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (B.A. 1963 J.D.).
Douglas M. Ruth Ella Moore
Deborah Pryce: Former congresswoman of Ohio's 15th congressional district (B.A.).
Foy D. Paul A. Russo: Ambassador of the United States to Barbados, Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua, St. Vincent, and St.
H. Brian Sandoval: 29th governor of Nevada, former Nevada attorney general; former United States District Court judge (J.D.).
Roberto Sánchez Vilella: Second elected governor of Puerto Rico (B.S.).
Gene Sharp: Political scientist; founder of the Albert Einstein Institution; his writings on nonviolent revolution have been credited with providing the intellectual underpinnings for democratic movements around the world (B.A. 1949; M.A.).
Bill Stewart: Reporter, foreign correspondent for ABC executed by Nicaraguan government forces (B.A.).
Steve Stivers: Ohio's 15th congressional district (B.A.).
Evelyn Lundberg Stratton: Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court (J.D.).
Duvvuri Subbarao: Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (B.S.; M.S.).
Jeffrey Sutton: Federal appeals court judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (J.D.).
John M. Vorys: Nine-term former congressman from Ohio, 1951 delegate to the United Nations (J.D.).
Michael R. White: Longest-serving mayor of Cleveland (B.A.).
Milton A. Wolf: Diplomat, former United States ambassador to Austria (B.A.).
Joseph Wu: Former chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council; first and only non-KMT-affiliated representative to the United States of the Republic of China (Ph.D.).
Javier Rivera Aquino: Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives; secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (B.S.).

Science and Technology

OSU alumni have been at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements, making groundbreaking discoveries and developing innovative solutions to complex problems. Their contributions have spanned various fields, from chemistry and engineering to medicine and computer science.

Homer Burton Adkins: Organic chemist who developed the Adkins catalyst (Ph.D.).
Mahzarin Rustum Banaji: Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Harvard University (M.A. 1982, Ph.D.).
James M. Bobbitt: Chemist and professor at the University of Connecticut (Ph.D.).
Hendrik Wade Bode: Scientist and engineer with numerous civilian and military contributions (B.S. 1924, M.S.
Nancy J. Currie: Astronaut on STS-57, STS-70, STS-88, STS-109 (B.A.).
Agnes Meyer Driscoll: Cryptanalyst deciphered Japanese Naval Codes before and during World War II (B.A.).
Bertha Lamme Feicht: First female engineering graduate; first female engineer to be hired by Westinghouse (B.S.).
Judah Folkman: Scientist; Harvard medical researcher; cancer researcher (B.S.).
Erica Glasper: Behavioral neuroscientist (M.A.).
Henry W. Hofstetter: Past president of the American Optometric Association and a member of the National Optometry Hall of Fame (M.S. 1940, Ph.D.).
David A. Huffman: Computer scientist (B.S. 1944, M.S.
Charles Kettering: Electrical engineer; founder of Delco; Vice President of Research for General Motors; invented electric starter for automobiles; co-founder (with Alfred Sloan) of Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 1945 (B.S.).
Benjamin G. Lamme: Engineer; longtime head of engineering at Westinghouse; pioneered the design of rotary converters; developed direct current railway motors; produced the first commercially successful induction motor (B.S.).
Robert Henry Lawrence Jr.: First African-American NASA astronaut (Ph.D.).
Nigel Lockyer: Director of Fermilab since 2013 (Ph.D.).
John L. Moll: Engineer, pioneer in the use of silicon transistors at Bell Labs, Stanford University and Hewlett-Packard (B.S. 1943, Ph.D.).
Russell C. Newhouse: Engineer, pioneer in development of radio altimeter for aircraft, Bell Labs (B.S.).
Frederick Patterson: First African-American to manufacture cars with C.R.
Roy Plunkett: Inventor of teflon (Ph.D.).
Douglas Prasher: Discoverer of green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene (Ph.D.).
Karl Probst: Engineer, inventor of the Jeep (B.S.).
Wallace Clement Sabine: Architect; Harvard professor; founder of the f… Department Alumni

Athletes

OSU has a long and storied athletic tradition, and its alumni have achieved great success in a variety of sports. These athletes have represented the university with pride and have gone on to excel at the professional level, earning accolades and inspiring fans around the world.

Joe Burrow: American football player for the Cincinnati Bengals (Enrolled in Ohio State University 2015-2018 graduated with bachelor's degree).
Justin Fields: American football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Enrolled in Ohio State University 2019-2023 graduated with Bachelor of Science in human ecology).
Dwayne Haskins: American football player (Enrolled in Ohio State University 2016-2019 studied strategic communication).
Jack Nicklaus: Golfer (attended OSU for three and a half years without receiving a degree, but he was later awarded an honorary degree in 1972).
Greg Oden: Basketball player.
Jesse Owens: Track and field athlete (attended OSU from 1933-1936 but never finished his degree; awarded an honorary doctorate of athletic arts in 1972).
D'Angelo Russell: Basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets.
C. J. Stroud: American football player for the Houston Texans.
Mike Vrabel: Head coach of the New England Patriots and former American football player.

Other Notable Alumni

Alan Freed: Radio disc jockey who helped popularize the term "rock n' roll" (attended OSU for two quarters before joining the army in 1941).
Jayaprakash Narayan: Indian politician, theorist and independence activist.
Larry Sanger: Software developer and philosopher who co-founded Wikipedia in 2001 (received a master's of art from OSU in 1995 and a doctorate in philosophy in 2000).
Tyler Joseph: Singer, rapper, songwriter, musician, and record producer from Twenty One Pilots.

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