Notable Alumni of Webster University
Webster University, a private institution with a main campus in Webster Groves, Missouri, has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article highlights some of the most notable graduates and former students of Webster University.
Academics and Research
Webster University's reputation for academic excellence is reflected in the achievements of its alumni.
Arts and Entertainment
Webster University has a strong presence in the arts and entertainment industry, with alumni making significant contributions to film, television, theater, and music.
Marsha Mason, an acclaimed actress and theatre director, has received four Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her roles in "Cinderella Liberty," "The Goodbye Girl," "Chapter Two," and "Only When I Laugh." She also won Golden Globe Awards for the first two films.
Jenifer Lewis, a versatile actress, film actress, singer, and television actor, has appeared in Broadway musicals and worked as a backup singer for Bette Midler. She is known for playing mother roles in films such as "What's Love Got to Do With It," "Poetic Justice," "The Preacher's Wife," "The Brothers," "The Cookout," "Think Like a Man," and "Think Like a Man Too."
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Rob Riggle, an actor, stand-up comedian, and retired United States Marine officer, graduated with a Master in Public Administration from Webster University.
Norbert Leo Butz, a two-time Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his performances in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Catch Me If You Can," is one of only nine actors to have won the award twice.
Ellen Foley, a singer and actress, has appeared on Broadway and television, including a co-starring role in the NBC sitcom "Night Court." She is known for her collaborations with Meat Loaf, particularly the album "Bat Out of Hell."
Julie Ann Emery has had roles in the television series Better Call Saul, Preacher, Five Days at Memorial, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Nikki Boyer is an actress, singer-songwriter and executive producer. Currently, she is serving as executive producer of the FX show Dying for Sex, based on the Wondery Podcast she co-created.
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Nina Reed BFA ’89, Costume designer, Circus Flora, The Repertory Theatre of St.
Adam J. Founder and artistic director of Tennessee Williams Festival St.
David J. Rose Tattoo (Tennessee Williams Festival St.
Carrie Houk ’74, Casting director in St.
Chrissy Clair is a dancer with Resilience Dance Company and the artistic director of Space Station Dance. She also teaches dance in a Chicago charter school and the vibrant Chicago dance scene.
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Donnie Duncan Jr. New York City, therapist, performed with Nederlands Dans Theatre from 2019-2023.
Prince Lyons most recently danced in Madonna's Celebration World Tour.
Jennifer Olivas has toured the world with Diavolo Dance Theater.
Lorraine “Rain” Stippec is a local historian for the Missouri History Museum and a company member with mostly TAP! program at Washington University.
Kacy Voskuil is the owner and director of St. Louis Academy of Dance, home to Pazazz Performing Company and partner with MADCO and St. Louis Ballet.
Business and Leadership
Webster University has produced numerous leaders in the business world.
Al Wiman BA ’76, Retired vice president, Public Understanding of Science, St.
Charles "Chuck" F. Krugh MBA ’04, Senior vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation St. Louis.
Terri Constant MA ’90, Senior marketing manager, Brown-Forman Corp.
Margaret Polcyn MA ’77, President, M.L. Polcyn and Associates and former executive director, St. Louis Variety Club.
Military and Government Service
Many Webster University alumni have distinguished themselves in military and government service.
Lloyd James Austin III, a retired United States Army general, served as the 28th United States Secretary of Defense. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Webster University in 1975 and was conferred an honorary doctorate in 2017. Austin is a native of Mobile, Alabama, but was raised in Thomasville, Georgia. He commanded the United States Central Command and became the first Black commander of that unit.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, commonly referred to as SBY, is an Indonesian politician and retired army general who served as the sixth president of Indonesia from 2004 to 2014.
Eileen Collins, an American retired NASA astronaut and Air Force colonel, graduated with a Master of Arts in management from Webster University. She was the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and the first to command a Space Shuttle mission.
Mark Welsh, a retired United States Air Force four-star general, is the 27th president of Texas A&M University and former Dean of the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University.
William B. Garrett III, a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army, served as the deputy commander of United States European Command and as the deputy commanding general of United States Army Forces Command.
Bryan D. Brown, a retired four-star United States Army general, served as the seventh commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Antonio Taguba, a retired major general in the United States Army.
Richard Ojeda, a retired United States Army major who served in the West Virginia Senate.
Paul F. Zukunft, a retired admiral of the United States Coast Guard who served as the 25th commandant.
Sidney M. Gutierrez, an astronaut.
Sheila R. Baxter Brigadier Gen.
Mary E. Rear Adm.
Mark A. Gen.
John Boccieri
Sam Dotson - former Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis, Police Commissioner St. Louis.
Clarence Harmon - former St Louis Mayor and Police Commissioner St. Louis.
Joe Mokwa - Former Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis Police Commissioner, St. Louis.
Journalism and Media
Webster University alumni have also made their mark in journalism and media.
Dana Loesch, a radio and TV host, is a former spokesperson for the National Rifle Association and a former writer and editor for Breitbart News.
Leyna Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American podcaster and former television anchor and reporter in Los Angeles, California.
Other Notable Alumni
Eric Rosen is an American chess player. He was awarded the FIDE Master title in 2011 and the International Master title in 2015.
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tags: #webster #university #notable #alumni
