Notable Alumni of Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College, an institution with a rich history, has produced a diverse array of accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article highlights some of the college's most notable alumni, showcasing their achievements and impact on society. According to EduRank's aggregated alumni prominence ranking, Muhlenberg College stands at 2017th in the world, 692nd in North America, and 652nd in the United States.

Arts and Entertainment

Muhlenberg College has a strong presence in the arts and entertainment industry, with several alumni achieving recognition for their talents and contributions.

Frankie Grande: Frankie Grande, born Frank James Michael Grande Marchione, is a multifaceted entertainer. Enrolling in Muhlenberg College in 2005, he studied theatre, biology, and dance. He is an American dancer, actor, singer, producer, television host, and YouTuber. Grande is known for his appearances on reality television and his vibrant personality.

Emily Wickersham: Emily Wickersham is an American actress. She is best known for her role as NCIS Special Agent Eleanor Bishop on the CBS television series NCIS.

Michael McDonald: Michael McDonald is an Allentown native nominated for Broadway's Top Honor for Costumes for 'Hair'.

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Religion and Activism

Muhlenberg College's commitment to service and ethical leadership is reflected in the accomplishments of its alumni in religion and activism.

Frank Buchman: Franklin Nathaniel Daniel Buchman, known as Frank Buchman, was an influential American Lutheran figure. He founded the First Century Christian Fellowship in 1921, which later evolved into the Oxford Group in 1928, and subsequently transformed into the Moral Re-Armament in 1938, and eventually became Initiatives of Change in 2001. His work with the Moral Re-Armament earned him decorations from the French and German governments for his contributions to Franco-German reconciliation after World War II.

Law and Politics

Muhlenberg College alumni have made significant strides in the fields of law and politics, serving as advocates, policymakers, and public servants.

Richard Ben-Veniste: Richard Ben-Veniste is an American lawyer who gained prominence as a special prosecutor during the Watergate scandal. He was also a member of the 9/11 Commission. Known for his incisive questioning and critiques of the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, he became a CNN Legal Analyst in 2017.

Michael Schlossberg: Michael H. Schlossberg is a politician. Graduating with bachelor's degrees in psychology and political science, he has served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 132nd district, since 2013. He is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

James Whyte Kelly Jr.: James Whyte Kelly Jr. was an American Republican Party politician who was Mayor of East Orange, New Jersey from 1958 to 1970. He also served as president of the New Jersey Council of Mayors.

Marcus C.L. Kline: Marcus C.L. Kline served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907.

Sports

Muhlenberg College's athletic programs have produced talented athletes who have excelled in professional sports.

Al Downing: Alphonso Erwin Downing is a former professional baseball pitcher. Enrolling in Muhlenberg College in 1963, he played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1961 through 1977. Downing was an All-Star in 1967 and the National League's Comeback Player of the Year in 1971. Notably, he was the pitcher who allowed Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974.

Matt Yallof: Matt Yallof is an American sports commentator for MLB Network and NHL Network, where he debuted June 3, 2009. Yallof hosts the regular season studio show "The Rundown" and MLB Network Strike Zone. Yallof also appears on "MLB Tonight" and "Quick Pitch".

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Sisto Averno: Sisto Joseph "Joe" Averno was an American football guard and linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the original Baltimore Colts (1950) and the franchises which succeeded it, including the New York Yanks (1951), Dallas Texans (1952), and the second iteration of the Baltimore Colts (1953-1954).

Literature

Muhlenberg College has fostered a community of writers and storytellers, with alumni making their mark in the literary world.

Darryl Ponicsan: Darryl Ponicsan is an American writer. He is best known as the author of the 1970 novel The Last Detail, which was adapted into the 1973 film of the same name starring Jack Nicholson. A sequel, Last Flag Flying, based on his 2005 novel of the same name, was released in 2017, and he co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Linklater. He also wrote the 1973 novel and screenplay Cinderella Liberty, starring James Caan. Ponicsan writes mystery novels under the pen name Anne Argula.

Michael Pocalyko: Michael Nicholas Pocalyko is an American businessman and writer.

Academia and Research

Muhlenberg College has a strong tradition of academic excellence, with alumni contributing to various fields of study and research.

Jonathan Abramowitz: Jonathan Stuart Abramowitz is an American clinical psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). He is an expert on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders whose work is highly cited. He maintains a research lab and currently serves as the Director of the UNC-CH Clinical Psychology PhD Program. Abramowitz approaches the understanding and treatment of psychological problems from a cognitive-behavioral perspective.

George Abram Miller: George Abram Miller was an American mathematician, an early group theorist, and a university teacher.

John Robert Kline: John Robert Kline was an American mathematician and educator.

Mark C. Urban: Mark C. Urban is a biologist and associate professor in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut. His work focuses on the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that shape natural communities across multiple spatial scales.

Government and Intelligence

Muhlenberg College alumni have served in various government and intelligence roles, contributing to national security and policy development.

Dawn Eilenberger: Dawn Eilenberger became the Deputy Director of National Intelligence in April 2017. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Policy & Strategy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In this role, she oversees the formulation and implementation of Intelligence community (IC)-wide policy and strategy on the full range of intelligence issues, including collection, analysis, requirements, management and information sharing, and provides leadership for ODNI and IC initiatives on information sharing and the closure and disposition of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Music

Andrea Clearfield: Andrea Clearfield is an American composer of contemporary classical music. Regularly commissioned and performed by ensembles in the United States and abroad, her works include music for orchestra, chorus, soloists, chamber ensembles, dance, opera, film, and multimedia collaborations.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Muhlenberg College alumni have found success in the business world, demonstrating innovation and leadership in various industries.

Max Marty: Max Marty is an entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley, who co-founded the seed accelerator project Blueseed with Dario Mutabdzija and Dan Dascalescu. He was previously Director of Business Strategy at The Seasteading Institute.

Medicine

Scott A. Shikora: Scott Alan Shikora, MD FACS is an American bariatric surgeon. He is currently the Director of the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Nancy Thornberry: Nancy A. Thornberry is a chemist. She previously worked with Merck Research Laboratories, joining the company in 1979 as a biochemist and retiring from the position of senior vice president and franchise head, diabetes and endocrinology in 2013.

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