The Catholic University of America: Notable Alumni

The Catholic University of America (CUA), a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., has produced a diverse array of alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article aims to highlight some of the most notable graduates and former students who have distinguished themselves professionally and personally.

A Historical Overview of The Catholic University of America

Founded in 1887 as a graduate and research center with the approval of Pope Leo XIII, The Catholic University of America initially focused on advanced studies. In 1904, the university expanded its mission to include undergraduate education. CUA emphasizes a blend of liberal arts, professional training, and personal growth, all while maintaining a close connection to the Catholic Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established it as the only institution of higher education.

Early Years and Expansion

The vision for a national Catholic university emerged during the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1866. Bishop John Lancaster Spalding sought Pope Leo XIII's support and secured a significant pledge from Mary Gwendoline Caldwell. Pope Leo XIII officially authorized the university's establishment on April 10, 1887, and in 1889, the encyclical Magni Nobis chartered the university, defining its mission as integrating Catholic teachings with the study of human nature.

Growth and Development

Initially offering lectures in philosophy, literature, theology, and canon law, CUA broadened its academic scope in 1904 by introducing an undergraduate program. Despite the racial segregation prevalent in Washington, D.C., at the time, the university admitted black Catholic men, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.

Following World War II, CUA experienced substantial growth in enrollment, supported by the G.I. Bill. The Columbus School of Law was integrated into CUA in 1954, addressing the American Bar Association's requirement for law schools to be affiliated with a university.

Read also: Catholic School Educators

Modern Era

By the early 21st century, Catholic University boasted a diverse student body representing all 50 states and numerous countries. In 2013, the university established a School of Business and Economics, further expanding its academic offerings.

Notable Alumni in Various Fields

CUA alumni have excelled in diverse fields, leaving an indelible mark on society. Here are some notable individuals:

Politics and Public Service

Robert Patrick "Bob" Casey Jr., a graduate of 1988 with Juris Doctor, served as a Senior United States Senator for Pennsylvania.
Kathy Hochul, who enrolled in the Catholic University of America In 1983 and graduated with Juris Doctor, is the current Governor of New York.
Thomas R. Harkin, J.D., served as a United States Senator for Iowa.
Mitchell Joseph Landrieu, B.A., served as Mayor of New Orleans.
Terence Richard McAuliffe, B.A., served as the 72nd Governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018.
Martin Joseph O'Malley, B.A., served as the 61st Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015 and the 48th mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007.
Timothy Perry Shriver, M.A., is the CEO of Special Olympics.
Charlene Barshefsky, 1975, served as the United States Trade Representative.
Thomas P. Melady, Ph.D., was the Former Ambassador to the Vatican, Burundi, and Uganda.
Kevin Ryan, B.A., is the President and CEO of Covenant House.
Carol Spahn, B.A., serves as CEO of the Peace Corps.

Religious Life

Fulton J. Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio.
Raymond Leo Burke is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is a bishop and a cardinal, and was a patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta from 2014 to 2023.
Timothy Michael Dolan is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the tenth and current archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York in the United States, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.
Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church currently serving as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization
Thea Bowman, FSPA, 1969, and a Ph.D. in 1972, Servant of God, M.A.
J. Blase J. Cupich, S.T.L. 1979, S.T.D.
Justin Rigali, S.T.B.
Luis Antonio Tagle, S.T.L. 1987, S.T.D.
David William Antonio, S.T.D.
Gerald Barbarito, J.C.L.
J. Earl Boyea, Ph.D.
Michael J. Bransfield, M.Phil.
Robert J. Carlson, J.C.L. 1979, Archbishop of St.
Charles J. David R. John Bosco Manat Chuabsamai, M.A.
Robert J. Cunningham, J.C.L.
Edward Celestin Daly, OP, J.C.D.
Frank J. Dewane, M.A.
Maurice John Dingman, J.C.L.
Pierre DuMaine, D.Ed.
Fidelis Fernando, Ph.D.
Raphael M. Roger J. John Mark Gannon, S.T.B. 1900, S.T.L.
Francis Joseph Gossman, J.C.D.
Francis J. Bernard J. Harrington, Ed.M.
Charles M. Jarrell, B.A. 1962, M.A.
William Michael Joensen, Ph.D.
James Vann Johnston, Jr., J.C.L.
Donald Joseph Kettler, J.C.L.
Daniel Kucera, OSB, M.A., Ph.D.
John J. Leibrecht, Ph.D.
Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, Ph.D.
Martin N. Lohmuller, J.C.D.
William E. Lori, S.T.D.
Paul Loverde, J.C.L.
Henry J. Robert F. Robert W. Muench, Ed.M.
Michael Joseph Murphy, S.T.L.
James A. Murray, J.C.L.
George H. Niederauer, S.T.B.
David M. O'Connell, J.C.L. 1987, J.C.D.
Michael F. Wolodymyr Paska, J.C.D.
Joseph Perry, J.C.L.
John C. Reiss, J.C.D.
John H. Thomas J. Rodi, J.C.L.
Dennis Schnurr, J.C.D.
John Mortimer Smith, S.T.B. 1961, J.C.D.
Stefan Soroka, B.S.T.
John J. Ward, J.C.L.
Loras Joseph Watters, S.T.L. 1941, Ph.D.

Arts and Entertainment

Susan Sarandon is an American actor. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award, in addition to nominations for six Primetime Emmy Awards, and nine Golden Globe Awards.
Jon Voight is an American actor. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and four Golden Globe Awards as well as nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards.
John Slattery is known for his role as Roger Sterling in the AMC drama series Mad Men (2007-15), for which he was nominated 4 times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Jason Miller won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play for his play That Championship Season, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Father Damien Karras in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, a role he reprised in The Exorcist III (1990).
Ed McMahon was an American announcer, game show host, comedian, actor, singer, and combat aviator.
Pat Carroll is best known for providing the voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid.
John Heard made his debut appearance in film with the ensemble Between the Lines (1977).
John Carroll Lynch first gained notice for his role as Norm Gunderson in Fargo (1996).
Christopher Sarandon is well known for playing Jerry Dandrige in Fright Night (1985), Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride (1987), Detective Mike Norris in Child's Play (1988), and Jack Skellington’s speaking voice in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
Lisa Ann Walter is best known for her roles as Chessy the housekeeper in the romantic comedy film The Parent Trap (1998) and Melissa Schemmenti on the Peabody Award winning ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary (2021-present).
Laurence Luckinbill has worked in television, film, and theatre, doing triple duty in the theatre by writing, directing, and starring in stage productions.
Siobhan Fallon Hogan has appeared in films such as Men in Black, Forrest Gump, The Negotiator, Holes, Daddy Day Care, Going in Style, and The House That Jack Built.
Maureen Brigid Dowd is an American columnist for The New York Times and an author.

Business

Brian McGuire Cashman is an American baseball executive for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Edward M. Liddy was the Former CEO of AIG, Allstate Insurance.
Joseph A. Unanue, B.M.E.

Law

Alice S. Fisher, J.D. was a Member, Board of Visitors; Partner, Latham & Watkins, LLP.
The Hon. Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, B.A. 1965, J.D. is a Judge, United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The Hon. Peggy A. Quince, J.D. 1975 is a Former Justice, Florida Supreme Court.
Kathleen Abernathy, J.D.
Arthur J. Gajarsa, M.A.
James J. Hayden, J.D.
Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., J.D.
John T. Noonan, Jr., M.A. 1948, Ph.D.
David P. Long, J.C.D.
Edward N. Peters, J.C.D.
William J. Shea, J.D.
Kathleen Rice, B.A.
Robert Tiernan, J.D.
Genevievette Walker-Lightfoot, J.D.
Forrest H. Anderson, J.D.

Education

Theodore Hesburgh was an American educator, social activist, and author.
Euphemia Haynes was the first African American woman to earn a PhD in mathematics.
Julius Nieuwland is most noted for discovering the chemical compound Lewisite that was later developed as a chemical warfare weapon; and for successfully polymerizing acetylene into divinylacetylene that led Dupont to invent neoprene.

Media

Brian Douglas Williams is an American journalist and television news anchor.
Rosanna Scotto is an American newsreader and the co-host of popular shows, such as Good Day New York.
Angela Santomero is the creator of "Blues Clues".
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin, M.F.A. 1967 - retired CEO of Procter and Gamble Productions.
Alfred Gough, III, B.A. 1989 - co-creator of "Smallville," Hollywood film producer.
Sheilah Kast, B.A. 1971 - anchor for "On the Record" on WYPR.
Joshua McElwee, B.A. 2009 - Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Review.
Alberto R. Ortiz, B.A. 1973 - executive producer for CBS News.
Tara Petrolino, B.A. 2003 - ESPN sportscaster.
Marguerite Pohlmann, B.A. 2005 - editor, The Meredith Vieira Show.
Ryan Reilly, B.A. 2009 - reporter for The Huffington Post.
Joseph St. George, B.A. 2011 - TV reporter for Scripps Television.
Josie Swantek, B.A. 2000 - documentary filmmaker, founder of Run Riot Films.
Dennis Wholey, B.A. 1959 - writer and interviewer for This is America with Dennis Wholey on PBS.

Athletics

Brian M. Cashman, B.A. 1989 - General Manager of MLB's New York Yankees.
Tim Connelly, B.A. 1999 - President of Basketball Operations of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.
Walter "Wally" Pipp, Former MLB player for the New York Yankees.

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