Notable Alumni of the University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), a flagship institution within the University of Texas System, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. From entrepreneurs and tech innovators to politicians, artists, and athletes, UT Austin alumni have made significant contributions to society. This article highlights some of the most notable graduates, non-graduate former students, and current students who have left their mark on the world.
A Legacy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Austin universities are renowned for producing top-tier tech talent and entrepreneurs, and The University of Texas at Austin has produced graduates who have made early and sustaining contributions to Austin tech. Many UT Austin alumni have spearheaded successful ventures, contributing to the city's vibrant tech ecosystem.
- Matt Chasen (uShip): The idea for uShip was hatched in 2002 when Chasen moved from Seattle to Austin and was frustrated with the process. Today, it's the world’s largest transportation marketplace primarily serving the freight, household goods, and vehicle shipping markets. In 2011, Matt received the prestigious “Rising Star” Award from the University of Texas, which recognizes professional success of its extensive network of alumni.
- Mark Floreani (FloSports): Floreani is cofounder and COO at FloSports, where he oversees the sales operations, customer support and live production of all FloSports events. Mark started the company out of a van with his brother Martin.
- Shawn Garel (eyeQ): Garel is founder and CEO of eyeQ, which allows brands the ability to enhance their in-store shopping experience with interactive digital content, while also providing them with the online style monitoring and influencing tools they need to drive incremental sales.
- Tim Heinley (Bear James): Heinley is the CEO and Founder of Bear James, a company that designs media and interactive experiences for kids and families. He formerly designed for Yahoo! Kids and Yahoo! Games until the company eliminated them to cut costs. Since then, Heinley has launched a variety of creative entities and web properties, including Dipity, a tool for quickly building interactive timelines for online storytelling.
- Joshua Mundy (CarServ): As Founder and CEO of CarServ, Mundy leads the cloud-based software platform for communication in the automotive repair industry. The company began in the Techstars Austin accelerator program this month. He received his J.D.
- Jason St. Peter (DRAFT): Jason St. Peter graduated from McCombs with an MBA in 1998. He is the co-founder and COO of DRAFT (formerly hrvst), an online portfolio management tool for consumers.
- Arun Narayan, Aneesh Kadam, and Ben Schlenker: Narayan, Kadam and Schlenker launched the software provider for e-commerce merchants right after earning their MBA's from McCombs.
- Preston Houser: As CEO of 3 Day Startup, Houser helps teach entrepreneurial skills to college students in a hands-on environment. More than 8,700 3DS alumni from 132 programs in 18 countries have launched more than 90 companies, raised $85 million in investor capital, and received acceptances to 34 accelerator programs.
- Sam Goodner and Matthew McGinnis: eVapt, was born out of the work these two founders did while earning their MBA's at McCombs. The software startup was acquired by MagnaQuest in 2009.
- Kyle Cox and Luke Wilson: Founded in 2015, Emoters is developing simple pets that happen to be robots.
- Garrett Leonard: While attending UT to earn his MBA, Leonard founded Scalar Security, a cybersecurity research and consulting firm.
- Nathan Reimer: Nathan founded the hybrid digital agency T-Squared to support clients with growth strategy and funding resources. in Radio, Television and Film in 1999.
- Anil Niyogi: Niyogi founded Perk.com, the shopping rewards platform, in 2012 and has since founded two other companies that act as divisions of Perk: Appsaholic, whose tools reward app users for watching ads, and Corona Labs, which builds games and other apps.
- Rick Orr: Orr founded TabbedOut in 2009, pioneering a movement to allow restaurant patrons to open, view, split and pay tabs with a smartphone while providing merchants with a rich CRM to better understand and engage their customers. He also founded RealSavvy, a Pinterest-like real estate bookmarking tool, and currently acts as CEO. Orr also acts as an advisor to many Austin startups including Favor and Aceable. He holds a B.S.
- Melissa Pacheco-Theard: Prepify is a source for free online SAT test prep for aspiring college students. Pacheco-Theard founded the company in 2014 to narrow the opportunity gap between socioeconomically disadvantaged students and their more privileged peers. She has an M.P.Aff.
- Bryan Pierce: As an aspiring musician, founding Equipboard was a natural step for Pierce.
- John Stading: Stading founded Innography in 2006 with a vision of redefining the intelligence/analytics landscape.
- Eric Treadaway: Treadaway founded Polygraph Media in 2011. The Austin-based company helps companies optimize social advertising campaigns with data science.
- Kendall Almerico: Alexander graduated with a degree in Finance and went on to found Toopher in 2011.
- Jeff Salmon: Salmon is the cofounder of Perk.com, a rewarded engagement platform bringing together the interests of advertisers and consumers to deliver insights and actionable results. He created the company in 2010 after working as director of business development at Socialware from 2010 - 2011, and as partnerships director at Bazaarvoice from 2008 - 2010.
- Meredith (Goodwin) Thatcher: Goodwin co-founded Edgecase (formerly Compare Metrics) in 2010. He has a B.S. and Master's degree in Computer Science. He previously worked as a software developer at both Indeed and Microsoft.
- Tim Hamilton: Having founded Praxent over 15 years ago, Tim is actively involved in the strategy and operation of the firm with a passion for perfecting the process of software development and building a world-class culture.
- Hardie Hemphill: Hemphill founded WigWag with Travis McCollum in 2013.
- Whurley and Ben Yoshida: Yoshida launched Honest Dollar during SXSW in 2015 with Whurley in an effort to make the investment process more transparent. He received his B.A. in Political Science from UT Austin.
Political and Public Service Leaders
UT Austin has a long-standing tradition of producing leaders who have shaped the political landscape at the state and national levels.
- Lady Bird Johnson: Class of 1933, Bachelor of Arts in History. After graduating with a history major, Lady Bird earned a journalism degree in 1934, which is the same year she married Lyndon B.
- Lyndon B. Johnson: 36th president of the United States.
- Tom C. Clark: J.D. '22, served as United States attorney general from 1945 to 1949 and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1949 to 1967.
- James Baker: Former United States secretary of state.
- William J. Bennett: Former secretary of education.
- Donald Evans: Former secretary of commerce '73.
- Laura Bush: '73, former first lady.
- Jenna Bush: '04, daughter of President George W. Bush.
- Lloyd Bentsen: Representative, and was the 1988 Democratic Party vice presidential nominee.
- John Connally: 39th governor of Texas, wounded while riding in the car during the assassination of President John F.
- Robert B. Anderson: Secretary of the treasury (1957-1961), deputy secretary of defense (1954-1955), and secretary of the Navy (1953-1954) under Dwight D.
- Rex Tillerson: '75, former United States secretary of state.
- George P. Bush: Former Land Commissioner of Texas.
- Greg Abbott: Current Governor of Texas.
- Stacey Abrams: Politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author.
- Jeb Bush: 43rd governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
- Azie Taylor Morton: Class of 1956, Bachelor of Science in Commercial Education. The Bastrop County native was the Treasurer of the United States during the Carter administration and remains the only Black individual to hold that office.
- Pete Gallego: Rep Pete Gallego named sole finalist for Sul Ross State University presidency".
Pioneers in Civil Rights and Social Justice
UT Austin has also been a training ground for individuals who have championed civil rights and social justice.
- Norman Scales Sr.: Graduated prior to 1940, Major unknown. Norman became a Tuskegee Airman and the first Black pilot commissioned as a second lieutenant from Austin.
- Dr. Herman A. Barnett III: Class of 1948, Pre-med. Later, Dr. Barnett became the first Black man to graduate from UT Medical School.
- Sarah Weddington: Attorney and lecturer, represented "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v.
Literary and Journalistic Luminaries
The university has fostered a vibrant community of writers and journalists who have made significant contributions to the world of literature and news.
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- Gail Caldwell: Pulitzer Prize winner.
- Ben Sargent: '70, Pulitzer Prize winner.
- Betty Nguyen: '95, CNN anchor.
- Rob Walker: New York Times columnist; "Consumed".
- Anne Helen Petersen: Senior culture writer, BuzzFeed News.
- Nate McGowan: VP, The Hollywood Reporter.
Celebrated Artists and Entertainers
UT Austin's alumni roster includes numerous actors, musicians, and filmmakers who have achieved widespread recognition and critical acclaim.
- Matthew McConaughey: Actor.
- Renée Zellweger: Actress.
- Ethan Hawke: Actor, writer, and director.
- Owen Wilson: Actor and comedian.
- Janis Joplin: Singer.
- Wes Anderson: Filmmaker.
- Jayne Mansfield: Actress and Playboy Playmate.
- Jon Hamm: Actor.
- Farrah Fawcett: Actress.
- Glen Powell: Actor.
- Robert Rodriguez: Filmmaker.
- Eli Wallach: Actor.
- F. Murray Abraham: Actor.
- Rip Torn: Actor.
- Marcia Gay Harden: Actress.
- Mark Duplass: Filmmaker, actor, writer, and musician.
- Scoot McNairy: Actor and film producer.
- Alejandro Monteverde: Writer, director.
- Alisha Brophy: Screenwriter, co-winner of the 2014 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.
- Amy Bench: Cinematographer.
- Andrew Wang: Head of Television Development and Production for Viola Davis's company, JuVee Productions.
- Annie Silverstein: Guggenheim Fellow, director of Cannes Cinefondacion student film winner.
- Athina Rachel Tsgangari: Writer/director/producer, Chevalier, Attenberg.
- Barry Dale Johnson: VP of National Publicity at Fox Searchlight.
- Bill Geddie: Executive producer, "The View".
- Bob Berney: Producer; Head of Movie Marketing & Distribution: Amazon Studios, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Studios.
- Bob Dearden: TV writer, Cobra Kai, iZombie; web series Play it Again Dick.
- Brian Davidson: Writer; "CSI".
- Britta Lundin: TV writer, "Riverdale".
- Bruce Hendricks: President of physical production; Walt Disney Studios.
- Bryan Bertino: Writer, director; The Strangers.
- David Zellner: Director/producer.
- Deborah McIntosh: Agent, WME Global Finance & Distribution.
- Deepak Chetty: 3D & VR filmmaker.
- Diana Alvarez: Producer; Free State of Jones, The Hunger Games.
- Dick Askin: Chairman of the Council of Past Presidents and Past Chairs, Academy of Television Arts & Science.
- Drew Daniels: Cinematographer, Krisha.
- Ed Ornelas: TV director / editor.
- Hall Hood: Game writer, "Mass Effect: Andromeda,""Star Wars: The Old Republic".
- Heather Courtney: Emmy-award winning director; Where Soldiers Come From.
- James Fino: Production manager, animator/producer, nominated for a 2016 Oscar for Anomalisa.
- Jared Hoffman: President, Generate.
- Jennifer Howell: Head of development, Dreamworks Animation.
- Jennifer Lane: Executive producer, "Queer Eye: More Than a Makeover".
- Jesse Drew: Media artist, writer, and associate professor, University of California-Davis.
- Jimmy Lindsey: Cinematographer, "Physical," "Quantum Leap".
- Jonathan Duffy: Producer.
- Jordan Levin: Former CEO, Rooster Teeth.
- Justin Rhodes: Screenwriter.
- Kelly Williams: Producer.
- Kent Alterman: President, Comedy Central.
- Kerem Sanga: Director, First Girl I Loved.
- Kevin Jarzynski: Film executive, Bad Robot.
- Kevin M. Brennan: TV writer, actor.
- Kevin Shivers: Music agent at WME.
- Korey Pereira: Sound editor, winner of Primetime Emmy for "Stranger Things" Season 4.
- Kyle Davies: President of Distribution, Paramount Pictures.
- Lev S. Spiro: Director; "Weeds," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Arrested Development".
- Luis Ribeiro: Partner and Executive Producer of the New York office of Lobo design and animation studio.
- Mac Ruth: Oscar winner 2022, Dune; Oscar-nominated sound mixer, The Martian.
- Maggie Carey: Writer/director.
- Maresa Pulluman: VP at BottleCap Productions.
- Marko Slavnic: Emmy-nomiated television director.
- Matt Cook: Writer, Patriots Day, The Informer.
- Matthew Hullum: CEO/co-founder, Rooster Teeth.
- Megan Gilbride: Producer, Tower.
- Michael Barker: Co-founder and co-president, Sony Pictures Classics.
- Michael Zinberg: Emmy-nominated TV writer, producer, and director; The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, The Practice, The Good Wife…
- Mike Simpson: Motion picture agent, partner at William Morris Endeavors Entertainment.
- Naiti Gamez: Cinematographer.
- Owen Shiflett: VP, Development for SundanceNow Doc Club at AMC Networks.
- Pamela Ribon: Writer.
- Patrick Sean Smith: Creator, writer; "Greek".
- Paul Leonard: Producer / post coordinator; Battlestar Galactica.
- Peggy Chiao: Writer, producer, founder of Golden Horse Film Festival.
- Peter Debruge: Variety film critic.
- PJ Raval: Documentary director.
- Rahdi Taylor: Former associate director, Sundance Film Program.
- Ross Richie: Founder and CEO of BOOM!.
- John Francis Daley: Screenwriter, Earth to Echo, Shazam!
- Tom Kitt: Writer of musical theatre; wrote lyrics for musicals The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!.
- Natasha Lyonne: Actor, known for her television roles on Master of None and Saturday Night Live, as well as writing, directing, and starring in the film Mr.
Athletic Achievers
UT Austin has a decorated history in collegiate athletics, and many of its athletes have gone on to achieve success at the professional and Olympic levels.
- Kevin Durant: Professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist.
- Roger Clemens: Seven-time Cy Young Award-winner.
- Ian Crocker: '05, Swimming world record holder and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
- Sanya Richards: '06, 4 × 400 m relay defending Olympic gold medalist.
- Jordan Spieth: Professional golfer on the PGA Tour and former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking. He is a three-time major winner and the 2015 FedEx Cup champion.
- Scottie Scheffler: Professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He is currently ranked world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, and has held that position for over 100 weeks. He has won two major championships, both the 2022 and 2024 Masters Tournament.
- Tristan Thompson: Professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Leaders in Academia and Science
UT Austin has fostered a strong academic environment, producing numerous scholars, scientists, and researchers who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
- Gene Nichol: '76, the 26th president of the College of William & Mary.
- Robert A. Brown: '73 & '75, the 10th president of Boston University.
- John R. Hubbard: The 8th president of the University of Southern California.
- Alan Bean: '55, the fourth man to walk on the Moon.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astrophysicist, author, and science communicator.
- Joaquin Castro: United States Representative.
- Julian Castro: United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
- Robin R. Meyers: Senior Minister of Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ.
- Emily Cutrer: President of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
- Ricardo Romo: President of University of Texas at San Antonio.
- M. David Rudd: President of University of Memphis.
- Neal Smatresk: President of University of North Texas.
- James P. Allison: Nobel Prize winner for revolutionary cancer treatment.
- Charles Black: Constitutional law scholar.
- Barbara H. Bowman: Geneticist.
- Brené Brown: Research professor and author.
- Robert L. Crippen: Astronaut.
- Leonard Eugene Dickson: Mathematician.
- O. H. Frazier: Heart surgeon.
- Laura Haas: Computer scientist.
- Nancy Jackson: Chemist.
- V. O. Key Jr.: Political scientist.
- John Lomax: Musicologist and folklorist.
- Roscoe C. Martin: Political scientist.
- Jeffrey L. Meikle: Historian.
- Nancy A. Moran: Evolutionary biologist.
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