Georgia State University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Georgia State University (GSU), an urban research university located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, has fostered a diverse and accomplished alumni network since its founding in 1913. With a student population of approximately 50,000, GSU has become a prominent institution within the University System of Georgia, known for its comprehensive programs and research endeavors. This article delves into the lives and achievements of some of Georgia State University's most notable alumni, showcasing their impact across various fields.

A Hub of Academic Excellence

Georgia State University stands as a comprehensive public institution, offering over 250-degree programs across more than 100 fields of study, housed within 10 academic colleges and schools. Classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research spending and doctorate production," GSU is committed to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation. The university's dedication to academic excellence is reflected in its state-of-the-art facilities, including the University Library, split between Library North and Library South on the main campus and also divided among the Perimeter College campuses, and the Law Library.

Arts and Entertainment Luminaries

Julia Roberts: From Georgia to Hollywood Icon

Julia Roberts, an Academy Award-winning actress, was born in Smyrna, Georgia. Roberts's early role in Mystic Pizza garnered positive reviews and a cult following. Pretty Woman propelled her to stardom, earning her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. With films grossing over $3.9 billion globally, she is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.

Ludacris: A Hip-Hop Mogul and Actor

Christopher Bridges, known as Ludacris, is a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist and actor. He is known for his role as Tej Parker in the Fast & Furious franchise. Ludacris founded Disturbin’ Tha Peace, a record company created alongside Def Jam Recordings.

Gucci Mane: A Pioneer of Trap Music

Radric Delantic Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper credited with popularizing trap music alongside T.I. and Jeezy. His debut album, Trap House, was released in 2005.

Read also: Accessible Education at Perimeter

Lita: A WWE Hall of Famer

Amy Christine Dumas, known as Lita, is a retired professional wrestler inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. She is regarded as one of the greatest female performers in WWE history.

Mike WiLL Made-It: The Sound Architect

Michael Len Williams II, known as Mike WiLL Made-It, is a record producer known for producing trap beats for Southern hip hop and pop artists. His credits include hits like "Black Beatles" and "Powerglide" by Rae Sremmurd, "Mercy" by Kanye West, and "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar.

William DuVall: Rocking with Alice in Chains

William Bradley DuVall is a musician known as the co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Alice in Chains since 2006, sharing vocal duties with Jerry Cantrell after the death of Layne Staley. DuVall won an ASCAP Pop Music Award for co-writing "I Know" for Dionne Farris in 1996 and has earned three Grammy nominations with Alice in Chains.

Ray Stevens: A Multi-Talented Entertainer

Harold Ray Ragsdale, known as Ray Stevens, is a country and pop singer-songwriter, comedian, and producer. He is best known for "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty," as well as novelty hits like "Gitarzan" and "The Streak." Stevens is an inductee of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Daffney: A Wrestling Persona

Shannon Claire Spruill, known as Daffney, was a professional wrestler, manager, and actress.

Lady Bunny: Drag Icon

Lady Bunny, previously known as Bunny Hickory Dickory Dock, is an American drag queen, DJ, actor, comedian, and event organizer. She is the founder of Wigstock.

Melissa Ordway: From Model to Soap Star

Melissa Pam Gaston, known as Melissa Ordway, is an actress and model known for portraying Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless. She received an Emmy nomination in 2022 for her role.

ABRA: Singer and Songwriter

Gabrielle Olivia Mirville, known professionally as Abra (stylized as ABRA), is an American singer and songwriter.

Omar Dorsey: Actor

Omar Dorsey is an American actor. He has appeared in films The Blind Side, Django Unchained (2012), and Selma (2014) playing James Orange. In 2016, Dorsey began starring as Hollingsworth "Hollywood" Desonier in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Queen Sugar.

Political and Civic Leaders

Bobby Jindal: Former Governor of Louisiana

Piyush "Bobby" Jindal served as the 55th governor of Louisiana from 2008 to 2016 and as a U.S. representative from Louisiana from 2005 to 2008.

Read also: Notable GSU Graduates

Keisha Lance Bottoms: Former Mayor of Atlanta

Keisha Lance Bottoms served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022. She previously served on the Atlanta City Council.

Sam Massell: Former Atlanta Mayor

From 1970 to 1974, Sam Massell served as the 53rd Atlanta mayor. Receiving his Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1951 by Georgia State University, Massell has since served in various leadership positions around Georgia.

Lynn Westmoreland: Georgia State Representative

Lynn Westmoreland has been the Georgia State Representative for the 8th district since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Jody Powell: White House Press Secretary

Jody Powell served as the White House Press Secretary for President Jimmy Carter. He later founded Powell and Tate, a public relations firm.

David Adelman: Former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore

David Adelman served as the United States Ambassador to Singapore. He received a Masters of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University in 1995.

Brad Raffensperger: Secretary of State of Georgia

Bradford Jay Raffensperger is the secretary of state of Georgia since 2019. He previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Bee Nguyen: Politician

Bee Nguyen served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 89th District from 2017 to 2023. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese-American elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.

Carolyn D. Meadows: Activist

Carolyn Dodgen Meadows is an American conservative activist, who served as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Business Innovators and Executives

Ken Lewis: Former Bank of America CEO

Ken Lewis is the former President, CEO, and chairman of Bank of America, the second-largest bank in the country.

Katrina “Kat” Cole: Businesswoman

Kat Cole is an American businesswoman known for being the founder of Cinnabon pastries franchises. She received her Masters of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University in 2010. Currently, Cole is the CEO of AG1.

Athletes

RJ Hunter: Basketball Player

R.J. Hunter is an American basketball player who played college basketball for Georgia State University. He was drafted as a first-round pick for the Boston Celtics.

David Buchanan: Baseball Player

David Buchanan is a professional MLB player for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2009, instead of signing with the New York Mets, Buchanan decided to attend Georgia State University. Buchanan signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. David Andrew Buchanan, is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization.

Tam O’ Shaughnessy: Tennis Player

Tam O’ Shaughnessy is a former professional tennis player.

Other Fields

Tam O’ Shaughnessy: Children’s Science Writer

Tam O’ Shaughnessy is a children’s science fiction writer. She received her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Biology at Georgia State University. O’Shaughnessy also created a non-profit organization, Sally Ride Science, alongside Sally Ride, an American astronaut. Tam Elizabeth O'Shaughnessy is an American children's science writer, associate professor emeritus of school psychology, and former professional tennis player.

D.W. Pine: Design Director

D.W. Pine is the current design director of TIME Magazine.

Andy Stanley: Pastor

Charles Andrew Stanley, known as Andy Stanley, is an American who is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Ministries. He is the founder and senior pastor of North Point Community Church.

Louie Giglio: Pastor

Louie Giglio is an American Christian pastor. He is the leader of Passion City Church in Atlanta. The founder of the Passion Movement, he is an author and public speaker.

Henry Jenkins: Media Scholar

Henry Guy Jenkins III is an American media scholar and Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC).

Michelle Thaller: Astronomer

Michelle Thaller is an American astronomer, research scientist, and science communicator. Thaller is formerly the Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. She retired in 2024 after 27 years at NASA.

Melissa Ponzio: Actress

Melissa Ponzio is an American actress, best known for her roles as Melissa McCall on Teen Wolf and Karen on The Walking Dead. Ponzio has also starred in Chicago Fire as Donna Robbins.

OG Parker: record producer

Joshua Isaih "'OG" Parker, is an American hip hop record producer from Atlanta, Georgia.

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