Notable Alumni of Washington State University
Washington State University (WSU), a public land-grant research university in Pullman, Washington, has a long and distinguished history of producing successful graduates in various fields. The Washington State University Alumni Association defines an alumnus as anyone who was a student at WSU and is no longer attending. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and contributions to society.
Notable Alumni Across Disciplines
WSU alumni have made significant impacts in fields ranging from journalism and politics to science, sports, and the arts. Their accomplishments reflect the university's commitment to providing a well-rounded education and fostering a spirit of innovation.
Journalism and Broadcasting
Edward R. Murrow: A 1930 graduate with a B.A., Murrow is considered the "father of television news broadcasting." He gained prominence during World War II with his live radio broadcasts from Europe for CBS. He recruited and worked closely with a team of war correspondents who came to be known as the Murrow Boys. In 1963, he received the WSU Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU is named in his honor. In 1990 the Edward R. postage stamp was created to honor Murrow. He was the first broadcast journalist honored this way. In 1973, the Edward R. Murrow Communications center was dedicated to WSU alumnus, Edward R. Murrow. In 1950, WSC produced a 23 minute promotional video designed to be shown in high schools as a recruitment tool. The film was narrated by former Cougar, Edward R. Murrow. WSU alumnus Edward R. Murrow returns to campus and delivers the annual commencement address at Rogers Field.
Cindy Brunson: A 1996 B.A. graduate, Brunson has made a name for herself in sports broadcasting.
Ana Cabrera: Cabrera, a 2004 B.A. graduate, has distinguished herself as a prominent news anchor.
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Barry Serafin: Serafin graduated with a B.A. in 1964.
Keith Jackson: A 1954 B.A. graduate, Jackson was a legendary sports commentator.
Politics and Public Service
Patty Murray: Graduating in 1972 with a B.A., Murray has served as a United States Senator from Washington since 1993. Patty L. Senate
Mike Lowry: Lowry, a 1962 B.A. graduate, served as the governor of Washington.
George Nethercutt: Elected to Congress in 1994 by unseating then-Speaker of the House Tom Foley, Nethercutt graduated from WSU in 1967 with a B.A. in English.
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Sid Morrison: Morrison, a 1954 B.S. graduate, has held various positions in public service.
Marshall Neill: A 1936 B.A. graduate, Neill became a Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court. Marshall Allen Neill, future Washington State Supreme Court justice, graduates with a B.A. Marshall Allen Neill, future Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, graduates with a B.A. in Political Science. In 1938, Neill received his law degree from the University of Idaho. He engaged in private practice in Pullman from 1938 to 1967, and during this time he also served as Pullman City attorney, assistant attorney general for Washington State University, part-time assistant professor at WSU, state representative (1949-1956) and state senator (1956-1967).
Dawn Daniels: Was appointed as Washington State University’s police chief in August 2025. Daniels (’97 Soc. Over the years, she has served in various WSU roles including community policing officer, sergeant, and firearms instructor.
Science and Technology
Philip Abelson: A 1933 B.S. graduate in chemistry and a 1935 M.S. graduate, Abelson was recognized as the "father of the atomic submarine" and co-discoverer of neptunium (element 93). He also served as editor of Science magazine and president of the Carnegie Institution. He is also the first recipient of the WSU Regent’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He is the son of Olaf and Elle Abelson, who first attended WSC in 1905 and built a home where Fulmer Hall now stands. The Philip M. Phillip Abelson graduates in chemistry and two years later earns his master’s degree in physics from WSC.
John Abelson: A 1960 B.S. graduate, Abelson has made significant contributions to the field of science.
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Neva Abelson: A 1934 B.S. graduate, Abelson has contributed to scientific advancements.
Jacob Bigeleisen: Bigeleisen graduated with M.S. in 1941.
John Fabian: Fabian (’62) becomes the first Cougar astronaut aboard the Challenger II space shuttle. Fabian graduated from Pullman High School and then enrolled at WSU, receiving a bachelors of science in mechanical engineering. Fabian made two trips to space and logged over 316 hours, and was the first person to deploy and retrieve a free-flying satellite.
Hary Gunarto: Gunarto received a Ph.D. in 1988.
Sharon Hillier: Hillier received a Ph.D. in 1982.
Charles Glen King: King graduated with a B.S. in 1918, and was one of the two biochemists to isolate vitamin C. J. Clifford Folger, Nixon’s 1960 campaign finance chairman and member of the board of directors of IBM, and C. Glenn King, one of the two biochemists to isolate vitamin C, are selected for the fourth and fifth Regents Distinguished Alumnus Awards.
Simon S. Lam: Lam received a B.S. in 1969.
Edmund Schweitzer: Schweitzer received a Ph.D. in 1977.
Allan Wilson: Wilson received a M.S. in 1957.
Yong Wang: Chemical engineer and WSU alum Yong Wang transforms substances and inspires other people.
Brienna Hall: Brienna Hall works on machines that make advanced microchips.
Arts and Entertainment
Sherman Alexie: A Native American writer, poet, and filmmaker who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, Alexie graduated from WSU cum laude with a B.A. in American studies. Some of his best known works are the book of short stories The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven and the film Smoke Signals, for which he wrote the screenplay. In 2003, Alexie received the WSU Regents Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2007, Alexie received the National Book Award for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Sherman Alexie Jr.
Gary Larson: Larson, a 1972 B.A. graduate, is the creator of The Far Side, a syndicated comic strip known for its unique, dry humor.
Patrick McManus: McManus, a humorist and outdoor writer for Outdoor Life, Field & Stream and other magazines, graduates with a B.A.
Krist Novoselic: Novoselic graduated with a B.S. in 2016.
Dolph Lundgren: Best known for his action roles in Rocky IV (as Ivan Drago) and The Expendables, spent the 1976-1977 school year at WSU as an exchange student, working on a chemical engineering degree. He was also a member of the Cougar Marching Band. Contrary to some reports, he did not actually graduate from WSU.
Eric Saindon: Saindon graduated with a B.A.
Jamie Kern Lima: Kern Lima graduated with a B.A. in 1999. Jamie Kern Occupations reality television participanttelevision actorbeauty pageant contestant Biography Jamie Kern Lima is an American entrepreneur, investor, and media personality. She co-founded IT Cosmetics, which she sold to L'Oréal for $1.2 billion in 2016, becoming the first female chief executive officer of a L'Oréal brand. Kern Lima has been included on the Forbes' list of "America's Richest Self-Made Women" since 2017.
Iris Scott: A contemporary American finger painting artist living and working in Northern New Mexico, Iris Scott (’08) earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Washington State University, and also took courses in Florence Italy during her junior year. She lived and worked in a Brooklyn, NY, loft space for six years.
Dean Karr: (’88) is a photographer and director who has worked with some of the biggest musicians, celebrities, and brands of our time. Karr directed the iconic Marilyn Manson music video “Sweet Dreams,” as well as “Kryptonite” by Three Doors Down and many more. Karr has worked with The Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Velvet Revolver, Dr.
Kirk Mangus: (MFA ‘79) was an internationally renowned ceramic artist and sculptor known for his playful, gestural style, roughhewn forms, and experimental glazing.
John Downer: (’72) is a celebrated sign painter and typeface designer, type critic, and type historian. Some of Downer’s most popular digital fonts include Iowan Old Style and Triplex Italic.
Patrick Siler: (‘61) taught in the WSU Art Department for over 30 years.
Rudy Autio: (MFA ‘52) was a leading figure in the contemporary ceramics movement. While his early work reflects abstract expressionism, his later ceramic work developed a figurative style for which he is best known. Rudy Autio and Peter Voulkos were the first resident artists at The Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana.
Harold Balazs: (‘51) was a sculptor and artist whose work has been featured in exhibits and public art installations throughout the Northwestern United States.
Betty Feves: (‘39) was pioneering modernist ceramic artist who helped shape the development of clay as an expressive medium in the years following World War II.
Clyfford Still: (MFA ‘35) was a primary figure in the first generation of early Abstract Expressionists.
Athletics
Drew Bledsoe: A 1993 B.A. graduate, Bledsoe was a former NFL quarterback, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for Washington State Cougars, winning Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year as a junior, and was selected by the Patriots first overall in the 1993 NFL draft. Considered the face of the Patriots franchise during his nine seasons with the team, Bledsoe helped improve New England's fortunes from 1993 to 2001. Under Bledsoe, the Patriots ended a seven-year postseason drought, qualified for the playoffs four times, clinched their division twice, and made a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXXI. He was also named to three Pro Bowls and became the youngest quarterback to play in the NFL's Pro Bowl game in 1995.
Bobo Brayton: A 1950 B.A. graduate in physical education and a 1959 M.S. graduate, Brayton was a legendary baseball coach.
Cliff Chambers: Chambers was a former MLB pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St.
Ken Greene: Greene was a former NFL safety for St.
Mel Hein: Hein, a 1931 B.S. graduate, was a Hall of Fame football player.
Raonall Smith: Smith was a former NFL outside linebacker for St.
Jack Thompson: Thompson graduated in 1984 with a degree in Business.
Hugh Campbell: WSU record-breaking football pass receiver, is voted MVP of the East-West Shrine game after setting a new record after catching 10 passes. The East-West Shrine game, sponsored by the Shriners, has been played annually since 1925 and teams are drawn from the two geographic regions east and west, including Canada. Campbell played wide receiver from 1958 to 1962 and during that time he appeared in the Hula Bowl, the College All-Star game, the Coaches All-America game and the aforementioned Shrine Bowl, and while at WSU he was awarded the 1961 W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast.
Doug Thielen: Doug Thielen made pickleball his career.
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