Notable Alumni of Manhattan College

Manhattan College, a private Catholic university in New York City, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. Founded in 1853 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the institution has fostered a legacy of academic excellence and service. This article explores the lives and achievements of some of the college's most notable alumni, highlighting their contributions to academia, arts, business, law, government, and athletics.

A Legacy of Academic Excellence

Manhattan College has consistently emphasized academic rigor, attracting students who have gone on to make significant contributions to the world of knowledge. The college's commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking has resulted in a distinguished list of alumni who have excelled in various academic disciplines.

Joseph A. Alutto: Shaping Higher Education

Joseph A. Alutto, an alumnus of Manhattan College, served as the executive vice president and provost of Ohio State University. His leadership in higher education has had a lasting impact on the academic landscape.

Sonia Kreidenweis: Pioneer in Atmospheric Science

Sonia Kreidenweis, a graduate of the class of 1983, has been recognized as a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. She is the second alumna to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), bringing the University’s total to 19.

Michael J. Flynn: Computer Science Innovator

Michael J. Flynn is an American professor emeritus of computer science at Stanford University. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition as a leading expert in computer architecture and design.

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Henry Petroski: Engineering and Design Historian

Henry Petroski, a professor at Duke University, was an American engineer specializing in failure analysis. He wrote over a dozen books detailing the industrial design history of common, everyday objects, such as pencils, paper clips, toothpicks, and silverware. His first book was made into the film When Engineering Fails.

Peter J. Denning: Pioneer in Virtual Memory

Peter James Denning is an American computer scientist and writer. He is best known for pioneering work in virtual memory, especially for inventing the working-set model for program behavior, which addressed thrashing in operating systems and became the reference standard for all memory management policies.

Contributions to Arts and Literature

Manhattan College alumni have also made their mark in the world of arts and literature, captivating audiences with their creativity and storytelling. The college's emphasis on the humanities has nurtured the talents of numerous writers, actors, and artists who have achieved both critical acclaim and popular success.

James Patterson: Master of Suspense

James Patterson is an American author known for his thrillers, mysteries, and romance novels. Among his works are the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women's Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, NYPD Red, Witch & Wizard, Private and Middle School series, as well as many stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction, and romance novels. Patterson's books have sold more than 425 million copies, and he was the first person to sell one million e-books. In 2016, Patterson topped Forbes's list of highest-paid authors for the third consecutive year, with an income of $95 million.

William Edmund Barrett: Author of Literary Classics

William Edmund Barrett, an alumnus of Manhattan College, is best known as the author of The Left Hand of God and Lilies of the Field. His novels have touched the hearts of readers worldwide.

Dennis Day: Singer, Radio, Television, and Film Personality

Dennis Day was an American actor, comedian, and singer. He was of Irish descent.

Hugo Montenegro: Composer of Film Soundtracks

Hugo Mario Montenegro was an American orchestra leader and composer of film soundtracks. His best-known work is interpretations of the music from Spaghetti Westerns, especially his cover version of Ennio Morricone's main theme from the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Joseph Campanella: Versatile Actor

Joseph Anthony Campanella was an American character actor who appeared in more than 200 television and film roles from the early 1950s to 2009.

Barnard Hughes: Acclaimed Stage and Screen Actor

Bernard “Barnard” Aloysius Kiernan Hughes was an American TV, theater, and film actor. Hughes became famous for a variety of roles: his most notable came after middle age, and he was often cast as a dithering authority figure or grandfatherly elder.

Mike Mazurki: Actor and Wrestler

Mike Mazurki was a Ukrainian-American actor and professional wrestler who appeared in more than 142 films. Although educated as an attorney, his hulking 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) presence, craggy face, and croaking voice had him often typecast as brainless athletes, tough guys, thugs, and gangsters.

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Glenn Hughes: Original Leatherman in Village People

Glenn Michael Hughes was an American singer who was the original "Leatherman" character in the disco group Village People from 1977 to 1996.

Leadership in Business and Finance

Manhattan College has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the business and finance sectors. Alumni have held prominent positions in major corporations, financial institutions, and entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex challenges and drive innovation.

Lynn Martin: Trailblazing Leader at the New York Stock Exchange

Lynn Martin is the 68th president of the New York Stock Exchange. Her career in finance has been marked by a commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

Vincent dePaul Draddy: Innovator in Fashion

Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan University quarterback, played a pivotal role in developing the Izod and Lacoste brands. His contributions to the fashion industry have had a lasting impact.

Joseph M. Tucci: Transforming the Technology Landscape

Joseph M. Tucci is the former chairman, president, and chief executive officer of EMC Corporation. His leadership in the technology sector has been instrumental in shaping the digital age.

Frank M. Folsom: Pioneering Executive at RCA Victor

Frank M. Folsom, an alumnus of Manhattan College, served as the former president of RCA Victor. His contributions to the electronics industry have been widely recognized.

John M. Fahey: Leading the National Geographic Society

John M. Fahey, a graduate of Manhattan College, held the position of president and CEO of the National Geographic Society. His leadership in promoting exploration and education has inspired millions.

Frederick Gluck: McKinsey & Company

Frederick W. Gluck was a longtime top senior partner and director at management consultancy McKinsey & Company, serving as managing director (chief executive) from 1988 to 1994.

Shaping Law and Government

Manhattan College alumni have also played significant roles in shaping the legal and political landscape of the United States. Graduates have served as judges, politicians, and government officials, upholding the principles of justice and serving their communities with distinction.

Rudy Giuliani: Former Mayor of New York City

Rudy Giuliani served as the Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. He received major attention and praise for his handling of the crisis in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in his city. He was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in December 2001 for his efforts.

Raymond W. Kelly: Longest-Serving Police Commissioner of New York City

Raymond Walter Kelly is an American police officer who was the longest-serving Commissioner in the history of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the first person to hold the post for two non-consecutive tenures.

Hugh J. Grant: Youngest Mayor in New York City History

Hugh John Grant served as the 88th mayor of New York City for two terms from 1889 to 1892. First inaugurated at age 30, he remains the youngest mayor in the city's history.

José M. Serrano: New York State Senator

José Marco Serrano is a member of the New York State Senate from the 29th District, representing Mott Haven, Melrose, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Spanish Harlem, Yorkville, Roosevelt Island and part of the Upper West Side.

Thomas J. Curry: Comptroller of the Currency

Thomas James Curry served as the 30th Comptroller of the Currency of the United States from April 9, 2012, until May 5, 2017.

Patrick Joseph Hayes: Archbishop of New York

Patrick Joseph Hayes was an American Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of New York from 1919 until his death. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1924.

George Mundelein: Archbishop of Chicago

George William Mundelein was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Chicago from 1915 until his death and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1924.

William Bourke Cockran: Irish-American Attorney and Politician

William Bourke Cockran, commonly known as Bourke Cockran or Burke Cochran in contemporary reports, was an Irish-American attorney, Democratic Party politician and orator who represented the East Side of Manhattan in the United States House of Representatives for seven non-consecutive terms between 1887 and 1923.

John Joseph Fitzgerald: US Representative from New York

John Joseph Fitzgerald was an American lawyer and politician who served nine terms as a United States Representative from New York from 1899 to 1917.

Thomas E. McNamara: Diplomat

Thomas E. "Ted" McNamara is a United States diplomat and State Department official.

Bill Owens: US Representative from New York

Bill Owens was a U.S. Representative from New York, a post he held from 2009 to 2015.

Roman Zvarych: Ukrainian Politician

Roman Mykhailovych Zvarych is a Ukrainian politician. A former United States citizen, he was one of the first people to relinquish that citizenship in order to take up Ukrainian citizenship after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Chang Myon: South Korean Statesman

Chang Myon was a South Korean statesman, educator, diplomat, journalist and social activist as well as a Roman Catholic youth activist. He was the only prime minister of the parliamentary Second Republic.

Joseph Maguire: Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

Joseph Maguire is an American officer who served as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Acting Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump.

Athletic Achievements

Manhattan College has a proud athletic tradition, with alumni achieving success in a variety of sports. From basketball to track and field, Manhattan athletes have demonstrated their talent and dedication on the national and international stage.

Vincent dePaul Draddy: College Football Hall of Famer

Vincent dePaul Draddy, in addition to his contributions to fashion, was a College Football Hall of Famer. The Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy is a trophy awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance.

Pat Kirwan: NFL Coach and Analyst

Pat Kirwan is a former American football coach. He began his NFL career in 1972 after coaching high school and college football.

Ryan Hall: Mixed Martial Arts Champion

Ryan Hall is an American professional mixed martial artist and instructor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu who competed in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter's Season 22 competition.

Lou Castro: First Latin American in Major League Baseball

Luis Miguel Castro, nicknamed "Jud" and "Count", was a professional baseball infielder who was born in Medellín, Colombia. He is considered the first Latin American to play in recognized Major League Baseball.

Jeff Xavier: Basketball Player

Jeffrey G. Xavier is a Cape Verdean basketball player for Cáceres in LEB Oro. He is a 2009 graduate of Providence College. Xavier transferred to Providence after two years at Manhattan College.

Toyelle Wilson: Basketball Coach

Toyelle Wilson is a basketball coach.

Mike Parisi: Baseball Player

Mike Parisi is a pitcher for Memphis Redbirds, St.

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