Regis University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni Across Diverse Fields
Regis University, a private Jesuit university in Denver, Colorado, has a rich history of producing influential alumni across various fields, from politics and business to arts and athletics. Founded in 1877, the university has consistently emphasized values of service and leadership, shaping graduates who have made significant contributions to society. This article explores the diverse achievements and backgrounds of some of Regis University's most notable alumni.
Historical Overview of Regis University
Regis University's roots trace back to 1877 when it was established by the Society of Jesus. In 1884, the Bishop of Denver invited the Jesuits to create a college in Morrison, Colorado, leading to the opening of Sacred Heart College. In 1887, Las Vegas College and Sacred Heart College merged and moved to the present location of Regis University. At the time of the merger, the school was then called the College of the Sacred Heart. Later, in 1921, it adopted the name of Regis College in honor of John Francis Regis, a 17th-century Jesuit who worked with prostitutes and the poor in the mountains of Southern France. The institution has evolved over the years, expanding its academic offerings and establishing itself as a prominent Jesuit university in the United States. On August 12, 1993, Pope John Paul II visited the Northwest Denver Campus of Regis University, where he met with President Bill Clinton for the first time.
Political Leaders and Public Servants
Regis University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the political arena, with alumni making significant impacts at the state and national levels.
Stephen McNichols, who graduated from Regis in 1936, served as Colorado’s governor from 1957 to 1963.
John Morse, a former Colorado senate president, gained national attention for his leadership in passing gun control legislation following the Aurora theater shooting and Sandy Hook massacre.
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Jane Norton, who earned her degree from Regis, served as Colorado’s lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007.
Tim Neville, a Regis graduate who served in Colorado’s senate from 2011 to 2019, was known for his stances on social issues, education, and gun legislation.
Yadira Caraveo is a congresswoman, representing the state’s 8th Congressional District as a Democrat. representative for Colorado's 8th congressional district from 2023 to 2025. A Democrat, she is Colorado's first Latina member of Congress.
Dianne Primavera is an American politician who has been the 50th lieutenant governor of Colorado since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the Colorado State Representative for the 33rd district from 2007 to 2011, and again from 2013 to 2017.
Gil Cisneros graduated with Master of Business Administration In 2002. He is an American government official, philanthropist, and politician who is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing California's 31st congressional district since 2025. representative for California's 39th congressional district from 2019 to 2021.
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Matthew Donovan is a United States Air Force veteran and government official who served as the United States Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness from March 23, 2020 to January 20, 2021. He also served as United States Under Secretary of the Air Force from August 3, 2017 to March 23, 2020. He had simultaneously served as the Acting United States Secretary of the Air Force from June 1, 2019 to October 18, 2019.
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr is an American politician and businessman who served as the 39th Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Charles F. Brannan was the United States secretary of agriculture from 1948 to 1953.
Rice W. Means was an American soldier, lawyer, and Ku Klux Klan leader. For three years, he was a Republican United States Senator from Colorado - serving the remainder of his predecessor's term.
Jillian Balow is an American politician who was appointed as the Virginia superintendent of public instruction in January 2022. She resigned from the position in March 2023. From 2014 to January 2022, she was the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction.
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Rachel Zenzinger is an American politician from the state of Colorado. A Democrat, Zenzinger is the Jefferson County Commissioner-elect for District 1. She has also represented the 19th district of the Colorado Senate beginning in 2017, defeating of Laura J. Woods; she previously represented the same seat from her appointment in 2013 until 2015.
Tom White is a former member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature from Omaha, Nebraska.
John Joseph Cavanaugh III is an American politician and lawyer from Nebraska. House of representatives from Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, and is the only living former Democrat in the state to be elected to the House of Representatives.
These alumni exemplify Regis University's commitment to fostering leadership and public service.
Influential Figures in Business and Non-Profit Sectors
Regis University has also produced notable figures in the business and non-profit sectors, demonstrating the breadth of its impact on society.
Edwin Feulner, cofounded the Heritage Foundation in 1973 and served as its president for over three decades.
Jim Daly, completed his MBA in international business at Regis University in 1997 and has led Focus on the Family since 2005.
Anne Hearst is an American socialite, philanthropist, and publishing heiress of the wealthy Hearst family. Hearst is a contributing editor of Town & Country magazine.
Ebenezer Norman is a Liberian philanthropist, humanitarian, public speaker, and founder of the education non-profit A New Dimension of Hope. He is involved in humanitarian efforts in Liberia and throughout West Africa, notably for efforts to build schools in attenuated or war-torn communities after the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003 and the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia in 2015.
These alumni have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in their respective fields.
Notable Figures in Arts, Entertainment, and Sports
Beyond politics and business, Regis University has produced alumni who have achieved recognition in the arts, entertainment, and sports.
Bill Murray is an American actor and comedian, known for his deadpan delivery in roles ranging from studio comedies to independent dramas. (who notably dropped out after one year after getting caught with marijuana).
John Farley is an American actor and comedian. He is the youngest brother of actor and comedian Chris Farley.
Josephine Siao is a Hong Kong film star who became popular as a child actress and continued her success as a mature actress, winning numerous awards. Since retiring from show business (partly due to her increasing deafness), she has become a writer and a psychologist, known for her work against child abuse.
Nick Plott, known by his alias Tasteless, is an American esports commentator.
Steven Brault is a current MLB broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates and an American former professional baseball pitcher and outfielder.
Christian Rex van Minnen is an American contemporary artist known for his distinctive and surrealistic style. Born in 1980 in Providence, Rhode Island, van Minnen grew up in Colorado and developed a passion for art from an early age. He pursued his interest in painting and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis University in 2002.
Shelley Thompson is a German football striker. Between 2001 and 2013, she played for several Bundesliga teams, Atlanta Beat (WPS) and Regis University Rangers (Denver, Colorado), and has scored 1 goal in 2 caps for the German national team. She is of South African and Zimbabwean descent.
Brian Mullan is a retired American soccer player. He is one of only four players to have won the MLS Cup five or more times.
Roger Aníbal Espinoza Ramírez is a Honduran footballer who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.
Melissa Jeanette Franklin is an American former competition swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist.
Neil Hopkins studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco before landing small roles in television shows like the crime drama "Crossing Jordan," comedic fantasy "Charmed," and police show "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service."
These alumni have showcased their talents and passions, achieving success in their respective areas of expertise.
Academics and Research
Regis University is also known for its contributions to academia and research.
Mary Romero is an American sociologist. She is Professor of Justice Studies and Social Inquiry at Arizona State University, with affiliations in African and African American Studies, Women and Gender Studies, and Asian Pacific American Studies.
Military and Defense
Michael Erik Kurilla is a United States Army general who serves as the 15th commander of United States Central Command since 1 April 2022.
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