Jacksonville University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Jacksonville University (JU), a private institution in Jacksonville, Florida, has been shaping minds and fostering talent since its establishment. Originally founded in 1934 as William J. Porter University, JU has evolved into a comprehensive university with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and professional programs. Throughout its history, JU has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article explores some of the university's most notable graduates, highlighting their achievements and the impact they have had on the world.
A Brief Overview of Jacksonville University
Before delving into the accomplishments of its alumni, it's important to understand the institution that nurtured their potential. Jacksonville University began as a two-year college and transitioned to a four-year university in 1959. It gained full accreditation in 1961. The university is divided into five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Davis College of Business & Technology, the College of Fine Arts & Humanities, the College of Law, and the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. JU is known for its strong programs, including the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), which is the second-largest in the nation, and the Davis College of Business & Technology, which received AACSB accreditation.
Notable Alumni in Politics and Public Service
Jacksonville University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the realm of politics and public service. These alumni have dedicated their careers to serving their communities and shaping public policy.
Aaron Bean: A Republican politician, Aaron Bean has represented Florida's 4th congressional district since 2023. Prior to this, he served in the Florida Senate, representing the 4th district from 2012 to 2022, and in the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 12th district from 2000 to 2008. His long career in public service reflects a commitment to the people of Florida.
Alvin Brown: Alvin Brown made history as the first African American mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, serving from 2011 to 2015. His election marked a significant milestone for the city and demonstrated his ability to connect with and represent a diverse population.
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David M. Walker: As the Comptroller General of the United States from 1998 to 2008, David M. Walker played a crucial role in overseeing the nation's finances. He later founded the Comeback America Initiative (CAI), demonstrating his continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and public service.
Tommy Hazouri: Tommy Hazouri dedicated many years to public service, serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974 to 1986, as the Mayor of Jacksonville from 1987 to 1991, and on the Duval County School Board from 2004 to 2012. His long tenure in various elected positions reflects his deep commitment to the Jacksonville community.
Marjorie Holt: As a Congresswoman representing Maryland's 4th congressional district from 1973 to 1987, Marjorie Holt broke barriers as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Maryland. Her service in Congress demonstrated her dedication to representing her constituents and contributing to the legislative process.
Sam Jones: Samuel Leon Jones is an American politician who represents District 99 in the Alabama House of Representatives. Jones was the first African-American mayor of Mobile, Alabama, serving from September 2005 until August 2013.
Bobby Payne: Bobby Payne is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2016-2024.
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Stan Jordan: Stan Jordan is an American entrepreneur and politician who served as a School Board Member for the Duval County School Board from 1984 to 2000 and then served as a State Representative for the Florida House of Representatives 17th District from 2000 to 2008.
Notable Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
Jacksonville University has also fostered the creative talents of individuals who have gone on to achieve success in the arts and entertainment industry.
Jade Cargill: Jade Nicole Cargill is an American professional wrestler. As of September 2023, she is signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand. She is a former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion with Bianca Belair in their record-tying second reign as a team. She is also known for her career in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2023, where she was the inaugural AEW TBS Champion; her single reign of 508 days is the longest for any AEW championship.
Jay Thomas: Jon "Jay" Thomas Terrell was an American actor, comedian, and radio personality. He was heard in New York from 1976-1979 on station 99X, and later on station 92KTU, and in Los Angeles beginning in 1986 on KPWR "Power 106", where he hosted the station's top-rated morning show until 1993. His notable television work included his co-starring role as Remo DaVinci on Mork & Mindy (1979-1981), the recurring role of Eddie LeBec, a Boston Bruins goalie on Cheers (1987-1989), the lead character of newspaper columnist Jack Stein on Love & War (1992-1995), and a repeat guest role as Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1990 and 1991 for portraying Gold.
William Forsythe: William Forsythe is an American dancer and choreographer formerly resident in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and now based in Vermont. He is known for his work with the Ballet Frankfurt (1984-2004) and The Forsythe Company (2005-2015). Recognized for the integration of ballet and visual arts, which displayed both abstraction and forceful theatricality, his vision of choreography as an organizational practice has inspired him to produce numerous installations, films, and web-based knowledge creation, incorporating the spoken word and experimental music.
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Mike Malloy: Michael Dennis Malloy is a progressive American radio broadcaster based in Atlanta. Previously his show has been carried by WSB (AM) Atlanta, WLS (AM) Chicago, the I.E. America Radio Network, the Air America Radio network, Nova M Radio and the On Second Thought network. He is now self-syndicated. Politically, he describes himself as "a traditional Liberal Democrat doing his part to return the Democratic Party to its Liberal roots."
Ben Moses: Ben Moses is an American documentarian, television producer, director, writer, and filmmaker best known for Good Morning, Vietnam and the documentary A Whisper to a Roar. Moses has been the executive in charge of television production and programming for General Electric, the executive producer of the ABC-TV affiliate in Washington, DC, and was a producer for Young & Rubicam Advertising in New York.
Frank Pace: Frank Pace is an American television producer and writer.
Clint Crisher: Clint Crisher is an American pop singer and songwriter. He is believed to be the first American R&B or pop singer to be openly gay from the beginning of his career.
Victoria Livengood: Victoria Livengood is an American mezzo-soprano and voice teacher. She is most renown for her extensive and prestigious international operatic career spanning over 35 years and counting. Her past and current career sees her regularly in the top opera houses around the world. She has sung over 100 different operatic roles throughout her career and over 120 separate performances at the Metropolitan Opera. In her early years, she was most known for her portrayal of the title role of Carmen which she has performed over 250 times worldwide. In addition to her continued performance career, she also teaches voice privately in Concord, North Carolina.
Byron Adams: Byron Adams is an American musicologist, composer, and conductor.
Notable Alumni in Athletics
Jacksonville University's athletic programs have produced a number of talented athletes who have gone on to achieve success at the professional level.
Artis Gilmore: Artis Gilmore is an American former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Gilmore was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1970, the Jacksonville University Dolphins men's basketball team, under star center Artis Gilmore, went to the NCAA Division I Championship.
Dee Brown: DeCovan Kadell "Dee" Brown is an American retired professional basketball player who spent thirty years in the NBA including twelve seasons as a player (1990-2002) in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic, and as an executive with the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and as Vice President of Holistic Player Performance with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Otis Smith: Otis Fitzgerald Smith is an American former professional basketball player who played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins.
Rick Peterson: Erick Harding "Rick" Peterson is an American former pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. He was most recently the director of pitching development for the Baltimore Orioles. He was a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but is most notable as the pitching coach for the Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tom McMillan: Thomas Erwin McMillan is an American former professional baseball player whose career spanned seven seasons, including one in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners (1977).
Lehmon Colbert: Lehmon Colbert Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins before playing professionally in England, Mexico and Ireland. With UCC Demons in the Irish Super League, he won two championships and multiple other trophies and was the league's Player of the Year.
Donnie Hammond: Donald William Hammond is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, and Champions Tour.
Notable Alumni in Military Service
Jacksonville University's NROTC program and other academic offerings have prepared many graduates for distinguished careers in military service.
David J. Brewer:
Michael E. Boyle: Michael Edward Boyle is a United States Navy vice admiral who has served as the director of the Navy Staff since 2 August 2024. He most recently served as commander of the United States Third Fleet from 2022 to 2024.
Paul G. Gaffney II: Vice Admiral Paul Golden Gaffney II, USN, (born May 30, 1946) was the seventh president of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, from 2003 to 2013, becoming president emeritus August 1, 2013.
Other Notable Alumni
Kimberly Ellis: Kimberly Ellis is an American activist and was the Executive Director of Emerge California from 2010 until she ran for the Chair of the California Democratic Party in 2017.
Will W. Weatherford: Will Weatherford is an American politician who was a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014, representing the 61st District from 2006 to 2012 and the 38th District, which included eastern Pasco County, from 2012 to 2014. During his final term in the legislature, he served as the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, which made him the youngest presiding officer of any state legislative chamber in the United States at the time.
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