Asbury University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Asbury University, a private Christian institution rooted in Wilmore, Kentucky, has a rich history of producing graduates who have made significant contributions across various fields. Originally established as Kentucky Holiness College in 1890, the university was renamed Asbury College in 1891 in honor of Bishop Francis Asbury, a key figure in American Methodism. In 2010, it transitioned to Asbury University, reflecting its expanded academic offerings and global reach. This article explores the lives and achievements of some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing the impact of an Asbury education.

Prominent Alumni: A Diverse Tapestry of Achievement

EduRank places Asbury University at 2089th globally, 717th in North America, and 674th in the United States based on the aggregated prominence of its alumni. The following list highlights fifteen notable individuals who attended Asbury University, demonstrating the breadth of talent nurtured within its walls.

Dean Jones: A Disney Legend

Dean Carroll Jones (1931-2015) was an American actor celebrated for his roles in numerous Walt Disney Company films. He was best known as The Walt Disney Company's main leading man in the 1970s with his roles as Agent Zeke Kelso in That Darn Cat! (1965), Jim Douglas in the Herbie franchise (1969-1997), and with other film companies such as Dr. Herman Varnick in Beethoven (1992). His acting career spanned stage, television, and film. Jones's contributions to Disney were recognized in 1995 when he was inducted as a Disney Legend. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance as Albert Dooley in The Million Dollar Duck (1971).

Ted Strickland: Governor and Congressman

Theodore "Ted" Strickland is an American politician who served as the 68th governor of Ohio from 2007 to 2011. Enrolling in Asbury University in 1963 and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Strickland's career has been dedicated to public service. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 6th congressional district (1993-1995, 1997-2007).

Andy Merrill: The Voice Behind the Characters

Andy Merrill is an American voice actor known for his work on popular animated shows. He is best known for his portrayal of the character Brak on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Brak Show, and Cartoon Planet, as well as Oglethorpe on Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Joe Frank Harris: Governor of Georgia

Joseph Franklin Harris is an American businessman and Democratic politician who served as the 78th governor of Georgia from 1983 to 1991.

Sue Bell Cobb: Trailblazing Jurist

Sue Bell Cobb is an American jurist and former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold that office in Alabama's history. In 2018 she unsuccessfully ran for governor of Alabama losing in the primary to Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox receiving 30 percent of the vote compared to his 52 percent.

Gregory F. Van Tatenhove: Federal Judge

Gregory Frederick Van Tatenhove is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. His career includes roles as a legislative aide to Senator Mitch McConnell, a law clerk for Judge Eugene Edward Siler Jr., United States attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky (2001-05), and on the recommendation of Senators Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell he was nominated to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Notably, Daniel Cameron, who later became Kentucky Attorney General, served as a law clerk for Van Tatenhove, who subsequently swore him into office.

Dennis F. Kinlaw: Scholar and President

Dennis Franklin Kinlaw (1922-2017) was a Wesleyan-Holiness Old Testament Scholar and former President of Asbury College. His legacy is further cemented by The Kinlaw Library, completed in 2001 and named in his and his wife Elsie's honor, housing over 150,000 items.

J. B. Matthews: From Pacifist to Anti-Communist

Joseph Brown "Doc" Matthews Sr. was an American linguist, educator, writer, and political activist. A committed pacifist, he became a self-described "fellow traveler" of the Communist Party USA in the mid-1930s, achieving national prominence as a leader of a number of the party's so-called "mass organizations". Disillusionment with communism led to anti-communist testimony before the Dies Committee in 1938. He then served as chief investigator for the House Committee on Un-American Activities, headed by Martin Dies Jr., consultant on Communist affairs for the Hearst Corporation, and by June 1953 research director for Joseph McCarthy's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the United States Senate. When Matthews published claims that the Protestant clergy comprised a base of support of the American Communist movement, he was forced to resign. This was regarded as McCarthy's first big defeat, signaling that his position was starting to weaken among his colleagues.

Read also: Your Guide to Asbury Scholarships

Joseph R. Pitts: Congressman

Joseph R. Pitts served as a U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district from 1997 to 2017. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district was based in Lancaster and Reading and included much of the Amish country. It also included the far southwestern suburbs of Philadelphia in Chester County.

Becky Lourey: Minnesota Politician

Becky Lourey is an American politician, a former Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) state senator and state representative, and a former Minnesota gubernatorial candidate.

Frederick Bohn Fisher: Methodist Bishop and Missionary

Frederick Bohn Fisher (1882-1938) was an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1920. He also gained notability as a pastor, missionary, author, and official in the Methodist missionary and men's movements. He is also one of the founders of the prestigious Mount Hermon School, Darjeeling. The yellow house in Mount Hermon School is named after him as Fisher House.

Steve Thurston:

Born in Chile in 1974.

Edward L.R. Elson: Senate Chaplain

The Reverend Edward Lee Roy Elson was a Presbyterian minister and Chaplain of the United States Senate.

Bill Huffman: Michigan Politician

William S. Huffman was an American politician from the state of Michigan. Huffman served as mayor of Madison Heights, Michigan from 1961 to 1963. He then served in the Michigan House of Representatives, where he represented Oakland County's 6th district from 1963 to 1964, and then the 66th state House district from 1965 to 1974. He then served in the Michigan Senate, where he represented the 16th district from 1975 until his resignation in 1982.

Asbury University: Shaping Leaders and Influencers

These notable alumni exemplify the diverse paths taken by Asbury graduates. The university's commitment to integrating faith with education has fostered an environment where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in their chosen fields while making a positive impact on the world.

A Christian Foundation with a Global Perspective

Asbury University maintains its affiliation with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement while remaining non-denominational. The university offers over 50 majors across 17 departments, attracting students from 44 states and 43 countries. Asbury University accepted 64.1% of undergraduate applicants in 2024, with admission standards considered "challenging" and those admitted having an average 3.65 high school GPA. Eighty-two percent of the school's faculty hold terminal degrees in their field of study.

Opportunities for Connection and Engagement

Asbury University fosters a strong sense of community among its alumni. The Office of Alumni Relations provides various services, including assistance in locating former classmates and access to the Asbury Online Community. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected through events, campus visits, and by supporting the next generation of Asburians.

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