Notable University of Washington Alumni
The University of Washington (UW), situated in Seattle, Washington, boasts a rich history and a strong reputation for academic excellence. With a main campus nestled in the heart of Seattle, and additional campuses in Tacoma and Bothell, the UW system serves a diverse student body. The UW Huskies are particularly well-regarded for their programs in medicine, engineering, law, and nursing, and the university consistently ranks as a top research institution. Over the years, many talented individuals have walked the halls of the University of Washington, leaving their mark on the world in various fields. This article will highlight some of the most famous and influential UW alumni.
A Legacy of Achievement
The University of Washington has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have excelled in diverse fields, from the arts and entertainment to science, technology, politics, and athletics. These individuals have made significant contributions to society and brought recognition to their alma mater.
Arts and Entertainment
The entertainment industry is well-represented by UW alumni.
Bruce Lee: Though he did not graduate, Bruce Lee attended UW, studying drama and philosophy. The martial arts superstar, renowned for his roles in martial arts films, is considered the first global Chinese film star and one of the most influential martial artists in cinema history.
Anna Faris: Known for her comedic roles, particularly as Cindy Campbell in the Scary Movie film series, Anna Faris graduated with a degree in English literature in 1999. She has also starred in films such as The Hot Chick, Lost in Translation, and The House Bunny.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
Jim Caviezel: Best known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ, Jim Caviezel attended UW in 1990. He initially pursued a basketball career before an injury led him to acting.
Rainn Wilson: Famous for his role as Dwight Schrute in the American version of The Office, Rainn Wilson earned a drama degree from UW in 1986.
Kyle MacLachlan: Kyle MacLachlan, known for his roles in Twin Peaks, Dune, and Blue Velvet, graduated from the University of Washington in 1982.
Patrick Duffy: Patrick Duffy, who graduated from UW in 1971, is known for his role as Bobby Ewing on Dallas and Frank Lambert on Step by Step.
Kenny G: The world-renowned saxophonist Kenny G (born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick) started his career while at the University of Washington, performing his first jazz solo. He graduated with a degree in accounting in 1978.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
Joel McHale: The actor, comedian and television presenter best known for his role as Jeffrey "Jeff" Winger on the NBC sitcom Community, was on the rowing and football teams at UW before graduating with a bachelor's degree in history.
Julia Sweeney: After double majoring in European history and economics, Julia Sweeney went on to make her mark in the entertainment industry as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990 to 1994.
Macklemore: A Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter, Macklemore studied at the university's School of Music and later became one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the world.
Ryan Lewis: An American DJ, rapper, and songwriter, Ryan Lewis is a friend of Macklemore and produced, recorded, mixed, and engineered the duo's most successful songs like "Thrift Shop" and "Same Love." Lewis graduated from UW in 2009.
Authors and Writers
The University of Washington has also nurtured the talents of many successful authors and writers.
Read also: Excellence at Hofstra University
Beverly Cleary: As one of the most beloved children's authors, Beverly Cleary earned a degree in library sciences from UW in 1939. She is best known for her "Ramona" series and won a National Book Award in 1981.
Frank Herbert: Best known for his 1965 novel Dune and its five sequels, Frank Herbert was an American science-fiction author. He also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, photographer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.
Rick Steves: Rick Steves, a famous travel writer and television personality, graduated from the University of Washington in 1978 with a degree in European history and business administration.
Politics and Public Service
UW alumni have made significant contributions to the political landscape.
Gary Locke: A former governor of Washington and the first Chinese American to be elected as governor in the United States, Gary Locke attended the University of Washington.
Pramila Jayapal: Pramila Jayapal, a US Congresswoman representing Washington's 7th Congressional District, attended the University of Washington. She is known for her advocacy on issues such as immigrant rights, healthcare, and social justice.
Christine Gregoire: Washington state Attorney General Gregoire was a key to the 1998 landmark tobacco settlement.
Daniel J. Evans: Nicknamed “Straight Arrow” for his integrity and independence, Evans was elected to the Legislature in 1956 and became governor, at age 39, in 1964. Through his three terms, he championed environmental protection, human services, women’s rights and education.
Tom Foley: Law school graduate Foley was elected to Congress from Washington’s 5th District in 1964. In 1989 he became Speaker of the House of Representatives-the first-ever speaker from Washington. During 30 years in Congress, he led legislative initiatives in economic development, education and other issues.
Bruce Harrell: Bruce Harrell has won race for Seattle mayor, defeating M. Lorena González, as vote count continues.
Science and Technology
UW alumni have been at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.
Jeff Bezos: The founder and former CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.
Linda Buck: Linda Buck, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, attended the University of Washington. Buck won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2004 for her work on the olfactory system.
Paul Allen: Paul Allen was another co-founder of Microsoft and a former student at UW. Allen left the university before graduating to pursue his business ventures. He later donated millions of dollars to support the university and established the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.
Athletics
The University of Washington has a strong athletic program, producing many successful athletes.
Hope Solo: Hope Solo, a former goalkeeper for the United States women's national soccer team, played soccer for the Huskies.
Isaiah Thomas: Isaiah Thomas, a professional basketball player, attended UW from 2008 to 2011 and was selected for the Pac-10 all-conference three times.
Kelsey Plum: Kelsey Plum is a professional basketball player who was the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women's basketball history. Plum played college basketball for the University of Washington and was drafted first overall in the 2017 WNBA draft.
Warren Moon: The Huskies football team enjoyed the talent of Warren Moon in 1978 when the team won the Rose Bowl and the Pac-8 title. Moon went on to play in the NFL and was the first quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in one professional season. He also was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Richard Sherman: Richard Sherman is a former NFL cornerback who played for several teams during his career, including the Seattle Seahawks. Sherman attended the University of Washington and played college football for the university.
Nate Robinson: Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American former professional basketball player. Born in Seattle, Robinson played college basketball for the University of Washington in Seattle and was the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA draft.
Other Notable Alumni
Dale Chihuly: Dale Chihuly, a renowned American glass sculptor and entrepreneur, earned a degree in interior design from the University of Washington in 1965.
Ken Jennings: “Jeopardy” star Ken Jennings attended the University of Washington as a freshman before heading off to Brigham Young University in Utah. He is well known as one of the most successful contestants ever on the quiz show, winning 74 games in a row.
Emily Compagno: As a well-known legal analyst on Fox News Channel, Emily Compagno uses her degree in political science from UW every day. She practiced law after her graduation and also was an NFL cheerleader.
Suzanna Darcy-Henneman: She earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from UW in 1981 and became the first woman test pilot at Boeing. Darcy-Henneman also set a world record for flying the longest commercial jet flight in 2005 when she flew from Hong Kong to London - a distance of over 12,000 miles.
Bill Gates Sr.: Long a successful and respected Seattle attorney, Gates has for years been a community activist and supporter of higher education, as was his late wife, Mary.
Jeffrey Brotman: Brotman is best known as a founder and president of Costco, the wholesale warehouse chain that sells everything from cauliflower to computers at a discount.
Gordon Hirabayashi: When he was a UW senior, Hirabayashi purposely broke a WWII curfew imposed on Americans of Japanese descent, setting up a legal challenge to the curfew and forced internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
Victor Mills: Victor Mills, a chemical engineer working for Procter & Gamble, was given a challenge when the consumer products giant purchased a pulp mill and told him to see what he could make of it. He invented Duncan Hines cake mix, Jif peanut butter, Pringles potato chips, Ivory soap-and Pampers disposable diapers.
tags: #famous #University #of #Washington #alumni
