Notable Alumni of Bucknell University: A Legacy of Achievement
Bucknell University, an institution with a rich history and commitment to academic excellence, has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions across diverse fields. From literature and entertainment to business, sports, and public service, Bucknell graduates have consistently demonstrated the power of a well-rounded education and a dedication to making a difference in the world. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni from Bucknell University, showcasing their accomplishments and the impact they have had on society.
According to aggregated alumni prominence, Bucknell University holds a respectable position, ranking 940th in the world, 345th in North America, and 323rd in the United States. This ranking reflects the collective achievements and recognition of its graduates across various disciplines.
Literary Luminaries
Bucknell University has fostered the talents of several accomplished writers, including:
Philip Roth: A towering figure in American literature, Philip Roth enrolled in Bucknell University from 1952 to 1954 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English literature. Roth was an American novelist and short-story writer. Roth's fiction-often set in his birthplace of Newark, New Jersey-is known for its intensely autobiographical character, for philosophically and formally blurring the distinction between reality and fiction, for its "sensual, ingenious style" and for its provocative explorations of American identity. He received the National Book Award for Fiction and is renowned for works such as Portnoy's Complaint. Roth's literary alter ego, Nathan Zuckerman, narrates several of his books. A fictionalized Roth narrates some of his others, such as the alternate history The Plot Against America.
Peter Balakian: An acclaimed poet, prose writer, and scholar, Peter Balakian is the author of numerous books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection Ozone Journal (2016) and the memoir Black Dog of Fate, which received the PEN/Albrand award in 1998. His book The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America's Response won the 2005 Raphael Lemkin Prize and was a New York Times bestseller. Since 1980 he has taught at Colgate University where he is the Donald M and Constance H Rebar Professor of the Humanities in the department of English and Director of Creative Writing.
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David Nasaw: An American author, biographer, and historian, David Nasaw specializes in the cultural, social, and business history of early 20th Century America. Nasaw is on the faculty of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, where he is the Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. Professor of History.
David Kahn: Was an American historian, journalist, and writer. He wrote extensively on the history of cryptography and military intelligence.
Jessica Livingston: Is an American investor, writer, and podcaster. She is best known for being a founding partner of the seed stage venture firm Y Combinator.
Entertainment Industry Leaders
Bucknell alumni have also made their mark in the entertainment industry, both on and off the screen:
Ralph Waite: Best known for his role as John Walton Sr. on the television series The Waltons (1972-1981), Ralph Waite was an American actor who also directed several episodes of the show. He later had recurring roles as two other heroic fathers; in NCIS as Jackson Gibbs, the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and in Bones, as Seeley Booth's grandfather.
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Les Moonves: A prominent media executive, Leslie Roy Moonves served as the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation from 2003 until his resignation in September 2018 following numerous allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault and abuse. He has been married to TV personality Julie Chen since 2004.
Gbenga Akinnagbe: A Nigerian American actor and writer, Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series The Wire and as Larry Brown on the HBO series The Deuce.
J. G. Hertzler: John Garman Hertzler Jr. is an American actor, author, screenwriter, and activist best known for his role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Klingon General (later Chancellor) Martok, whom he portrayed from 1995 until the series' end in 1999.
Tyler Senerchia: Is a professional wrestler for All Elite Wrestling.
Kristen Henderson: Is a founding member of the all female popular rock band Antigone Rising. She is also the author of a memoir: Times Two, Two Women in Love and The Happy Family They Made", and a children’s book, All Moms. Kristen is currently performing in the Drama Desk Nominated Best Musical “F_*k 7th Grade,” at The Wild Project theater in New York City She and her wife, Sarah Kate Ellis, are vocal advocates on LGBT issues, especially marriage and family equality. In 2013, Henderson made the Buzzfeed's Most Powerful LGBT Icons and Allies List alongside The Pope, Madonna, President Obama, Edie Windsor and Elton John.
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Bruce Lundvall: Was an American record company executive, best known for his period as the President and CEO of the Blue Note Label Group, reporting directly to Eric Nicoli, the Chief Executive Officer of EMI Group.
Athletic Achievers
Bucknell University boasts a strong athletic tradition, with several alumni achieving success in professional sports:
Jay Wright: A highly successful college basketball coach, Jerold Taylor "Jay" Wright Jr. served as the head coach of Villanova University from 2001 until 2022. Wright led the Villanova Wildcats to six Big East Conference championships and 16 NCAA tournament appearances in 21 seasons as head coach. Under Wright, Villanova reached four Final Fours (2009, 2016, 2018, 2022) and won two national championships in 2016 and 2018.
Greg Schiano: An American football coach, Gregory Edward Schiano is currently the head football coach at Rutgers University, a position he held from 2001 to 2011 and resumed before the 2020 season. Schiano has the most wins in program history as head football coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team. He also served as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) from 2012 to 2013.
Christy Mathewson: Considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Christopher Mathewson, nicknamed "Big Six", "the Christian Gentleman", "Matty", and "the Gentleman's Hurler", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants. He stood 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88 kg). He was among the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, and ranks in the all-time top 10 in several key pitching categories, including wins, shutouts, and earned run average. In 1936, Mathewson was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its first five members.
Mike Muscala: Michael Peter Muscala is an American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons. He played college basketball for the Bucknell Bison.
Nate Sestina: Is an American professional basketball player for Valencia of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for Bucknell and Kentucky.
Julién Davenport: Julién Raymond Davenport is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football at Bucknell and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Davenport has also played for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.
Abdullah Anderson: Abdullah Anderson Jr. is an American professional football defensive end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Bucknell. Anderson signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and spent three seasons with them before playing with several other NFL teams.
Cameron Ayers: Is an American professional basketball player, who last played for Trefl Sopot of PLK. He played college basketball for Bucknell.
Zach Thomas: Is an American formerly a professional basketball player for Keravnos of the Cypriot League. He played college basketball for Bucknell University. Now a graduate assistant coach at the University of Kentucky.
Conor O'Brien: Is an American soccer player.
Matt Daley: Is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees. He retired after the 2014 season and is now a professional scout for the Yankees.
Leaders in Public Service and Academia
Bucknell University has also produced numerous leaders in public service, academia, and other fields:
Timothy J. Keller: A renowned theologian, pastor, and author, Timothy James Keller graduated with Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University. He was the chairman and co-founder of Redeemer City to City, which trains pastors for service around the world. He was also the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and the author of The New York Times bestselling books The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (2008), Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God (2014), and The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008). The prequel for the latter is Making Sense of GOD: An Invitation to the Skeptical (2016).
Sunil Gulati: An American sports administrator and economist, Sunil Gulati presided over the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) from 2006 to 2018. On April 19, 2013, he was elected to a four-year term on the FIFA Council. In March 2014, he was unanimously reelected to a record third four-year term as USSF president, having been elected initially in 2006 and reelected again in 2010. Gulati is also a senior lecturer in the economics department of Columbia University. He is the former president of Kraft Soccer for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.
Diane Allen: An American politician and television journalist, Diane B. Allen represented the 7th legislative district in the New Jersey Assembly from 1996 to 1998 and New Jersey Senate from 1998 to 2018. Allen was the senate majority whip from 1998 to 2001, deputy Republican conference leader from 2002 to 2003, and later deputy minority leader. In 2002, she was an unsuccessful candidate for United States Senate, finishing second in the Republican primary.
John S. Kolasheski: John Stephen Kolasheski is a retired United States Army officer who was the commanding general of V Corps from 2020 to 2024.
Susan J. Crawford: An American lawyer, Susan Jean Crawford was appointed the Convening Authority for the Guantanamo military commissions, on February 7, 2007. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates appointed Crawford to replace John D. Altenburg.
Robert Lowry: Was an American preacher who became a popular writer of gospel music in the mid-to-late 19th century. His best-known hymns include "Shall We Gather at the River", "Christ Arose!", "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus".
Shelly Simonds: Is an American educator and politician serving in the Virginia House o…
Lewis Merrill: Was a career officer in the United States Army noted for his work in resisting the early Ku Klux Klan organization in several Southern states. During the American Civil War, he combated guerrillas in Missouri.
Lawrence Wilkerson: Is a retired Army colonel, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, vocal critic of the Iraq war.
Harold Meij: Is a Dutch businessman. He was the president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) from May 2018 until October 2020.
Jessica Jackley: Is an American entrepreneur who co-founded Kiva and later ProFounder, two organizations that promote development through microloans.
Theodore Van Kirk: Was a navigator in the United States Army Air Forces, best known as the navigator of the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Upon the death of fellow crewman Morris Jeppson on March 30, 2010, Van Kirk became the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew.
Thomas Richards: Is an American lawyer, business executive and politician who served as the 66th and 68th Mayor of Rochester, New York.
Charles Francis Potter: Was an American Unitarian minister, theologian, and author.
Jean Byrne: Was an American educator who was the first lady of New Jersey from 1974 to 1982 during the tenure of her former husband, two-term Governor Brendan Byrne.
Other Notable Alumni
- William Zervakos McFarland: Is an American businessman whose enterprises have been characterized by fraud. He has served time in prison for financial crimes related to Fyre Festival, having defrauded investors of $27.4 million. Vanity Fair describes him as "the poster boy for millennial scamming".
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