List of Phi Delta Theta members



This is a list of prominent alumni of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Names are listed followed by the school attended and their graduation year.

Academia

 * Liberty Hyde Bailey, Michigan State University, 1882 – horticulturist, botanist, father of modern horticulture
 * Guy Potter Benton, Ohio Wesleyan, 1886 – president of Miami University (1902–1911); president of University of the Philippines (1921–1925)
 * John R. Conniff, Tulane University, 1893 – educator; 7th president of Louisiana Tech University
 * Steve Hanke, University of Colorado, 1964 – economist
 * Joel Henry Hildebrand, University of Pennsylvania, 1903 – pioneer chemist
 * Vernon Lyman Kellogg, University of Kansas, 1889 – entomologist
 * Robert Khayat, University of Mississippi, 1960 – chancellor of the University of Mississippi (1995–2009)
 * Charles Boynton Knapp, Iowa State University, 1967 – president of the University of Georgia (1987–1997)
 * Frederic Brewster Loomis, Amherst College, 1896 – paleontologist
 * William Harding Mayes, Vanderbilt University, 1881 – founder of the University of Texas School of Journalism; Dean (1914–1927)
 * John D. Millett, DePauw University – president of Miami University
 * Santa J. Ono, University of British Columbia – president of University of Michigan; president and vice-chancellor of University of British Columbia (2016-2022); President University of Cincinnati (2012–2016)
 * Don K. Price, Vanderbilt University, 1931 – political scientist
 * Adam G. Riess, M.I.T., 1992 – winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics
 * Walter Riggs, Auburn University, 1892 – president of Clemson University (1910–1924)
 * William C. Roberts, Southern Methodist University, 1954 – cardiologist and pathologist; first head of pathology for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
 * Andrew Sledd, Randolph-Macon College, 1893 – founding president of the modern University of Florida (1905–1909); president of Southern University (1910–1914); first professor of New Testament Literature at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University (1914–1939); Methodist minister and theologian
 * John J. Tigert, Vanderbilt University, 1902 – president of Kentucky Wesleyan College (1909–1913); US Commissioner of Education (1921–1928); third president of the University of Florida (1928–1947)
 * William G. Tight – president of the University of New Mexico (1902–1909)
 * T. K. Wetherell, Florida State University, 1968 – president of Florida State University (2003–2009)

Aerospace and astronomy

 * Neil Armstrong, Purdue University, 1955 – Commander of Apollo 11 and first man to walk on the Moon
 * William F. Durand, Michigan State, 1880 – first civilian chair of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the forerunner of NASA
 * Jon McBride, West Virginia, 1964 – NASA astronaut, Space Shuttle Columbia
 * F. Story Musgrave, Syracuse University, 1958 – NASA astronaut, Space Shuttle Challenger, Space Shuttle Columbia
 * Thomas Jefferson Jackson See, University of Missouri, 1889 – astronomer for the United States Navy
 * Joel Stebbins, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 1899 – astronomer

Art and architecture

 * Francis Chapin, Washington & Jefferson College, 1921 – painter
 * Julian Franklin Everett, University of Wisconsin, 1894 – architect known for his work in Seattle
 * Hank Ketcham, University of Washington, 1941 – cartoonist, creator of Dennis the Menace comic strip
 * Frank Lloyd Wright, University of Wisconsin, 1888 – architect

Business

 * Robert Allen, Wabash College, 1957 – chairman of AT&T (1988–97)
 * John Y. Brown, Jr., University of Kentucky, 1956 – co-founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken; former Kentucky Governor
 * Tim Collins, Depauw University, 1978 – founder, senior managing director, and CEO of Ripplewood Holdings LLC
 * William H. Danforth, Washington University in St Louis, 1892 – founder of Ralston Purina Mills pet food company
 * Robert Diamond, Colby College – president of Barclays PLC
 * Charles W. "Chuck" Durham, Iowa State University, 1939 – former owner, CEO and chairman emeritus of HDR, Inc.
 * The Honourable Trevor Eyton, OC, QC, University of Toronto, 1956 – former president and chief executive officer of Brascan Limited
 * William F. Harrah, UCLA, 1934 – founder of Harrah's Hotel and Casinos
 * Josh Harris, Wharton School, 1986 – co-founder of Apollo Global Management and owner of several sports teams
 * Ray Lee Hunt, Southern Methodist University – chairman and chief executive officer of Hunt Oil Company
 * F. Ross Johnson, University of Manitoba, 1952 – former CEO of RJR Nabisco
 * John Willard Marriott, University of Utah, 1926 – founder of Marriott Corporation
 * Edward Avery McIlhenny, Lehigh University, 1894 – son of Tabasco brand pepper sauce inventor Edmund McIlhenny
 * James McLamore, Cornell University, 1942 – founder of Burger King
 * Dave Morin, University of Colorado Boulder, 2003 – entrepreneur and angel investor
 * Ronald K. Richey, Washburn University, 1949 – president and CEO of the Torchmark Corporation
 * Hermon Scott, M.I.T. 1930 – founder of H.H. Scott, Inc.
 * Roger Smith, University of Michigan, 1946 – chairman of General Motors
 * David Steiner, Louisiana State University, 1982—former CEO of Waste Management
 * Mark Suster, University of California San Diego, 1991 – entrepreneur, angel investor, and venture capitalist with Upfront Ventures
 * John H. Tyson, University of Arkansas, 1975 – chairman of Tyson Foods
 * Ralph C. Wilson Jr., University of Virginia, 1940 – founder, owner, and president of the Buffalo Bills football team; Pro Football Hall of Fame member, 2009
 * Joseph Arpaia, Seton Hall University, 2022 – co-founder of Prime Energy

Film and television

 * Harry Ackerman, Dartmouth College, 1935 – Emmy Award winner; producer of Gidget, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Flying Nun, The Monkees, and The Partridge Family
 * Joseph Ashton – actor, film and voice actor
 * Austin (Bobkat) Aynes, Butler University, 2015 – actor, Good Bones
 * Dirk Benedict, Whitman College, 1967 – actor, The A-Team
 * Ted Bessell, University of Colorado, 1957 – actor, daytime Emmy Award winner
 * Bill Bixby, University of California (Berkeley), 1956 – actor, director, writer, The Incredible Hulk, My Favorite Martian
 * Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Rollins College, 1995 – bachelor in The Bachelor: Rome
 * Kurt Caceres, Sacramento State University, 1998 – actor, The Shield, Prison Break
 * Trey Callaway, University of Southern California, 1989 – writer of I Still Know What You Did Last Summer; producer of CSI: NY
 * Brett Claywell, North Carolina State 2000 – actor, One Tree Hill
 * Dabney Coleman, University of Texas, 1953 – actor, Tootsie, Stuart Little
 * Mike Connors, UCLA, 1950 – actor; Golden Globe Winner; Emmy Award winner for Mannix
 * Tim Conway, Bowling Green University, 1956 – actor, McHale's Navy, The Carol Burnett Show
 * Mark DeCarlo, Drake University, 1984 – actor, host on the Travel Channel
 * Colby Donaldson, Texas Tech, 1996 – actor, runner-up on Survivor: The Australian Outback
 * Jonathan Drubner, Syracuse University, 1991 – television personality; writer, ESPNU College Road Trip; head writer for the ESPY Awards
 * George Eads, Texas Tech, 1990 – actor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
 * Roger Ebert, University of Illinois, 1964 – film critic, author
 * Donald Gibb, University of New Mexico, 1976 – actor, played "Ogre" in Revenge of the Nerds
 * Chris Hansen, Michigan State University, 1981 – journalist known for appearing on Dateline NBC and To Catch a Predator
 * Dean Hargrove, Wichita State University, 1960 – producer, Emmy Award winner for Perry Mason, Matlock
 * Van Heflin, University of Oklahoma, 1932 – Academy Award-winning actor
 * Jeffrey Hunter, Northwestern University, 1950 – actor, King of Kings
 * Richard Kelly, University of Southern California, 1997 – writer, producer, Donnie Darko
 * Francis D. Lyon, UCLA, 1928 – Academy Award-winning editor
 * Al Mayer Jr., CSUN, 1991 – Academy Award, Emmy Award for Technical Achievement
 * Michael McDonald, University of Southern California, 1987 – actor, MADtv
 * Michael Murphy, University of Arizona, 1960 – actor
 * Brock Pemberton, University of Kansas, 1908 – founder of the Tony Awards
 * James Pierce, Indiana University, 1920 – actor, Tarzan
 * Burt Reynolds, Florida State, 1958 – actor, Golden Globe winner; star of Smokey and the Bandit
 * Zachary Scott, University of Texas, 1935 – actor
 * Ted Shackelford, Westminster College, 1968 – actor, Knots Landing
 * Sonny Shroyer, University of Georgia, 1958 – actor, Dukes of Hazzard
 * Donald Simpson, University of Oregon, 1966 – producer, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Days of Thunder, Bad Boys, The Rock
 * Josh Taylor, Dartmouth College, 1965 – actor, Days of Our Lives, The Hogan Family
 * Trey Wingo, Baylor University, 1985 – ESPN commentator; host of NFL PrimeTime
 * Hugh Wilson, University of Florida, 1965 – Emmy Award winner; producer of WKRP in Cincinnati
 * Robert Wise, Franklin College, 1936 – Academy Award-winning director/producer, West Side Story, Sound of Music

Music

 * Josh Abbott, Texas Tech University – country musician, Josh Abbott Band
 * Chris Cagle, Northwest Missouri State University, 2005 – country musician
 * Frank Crumit, Ohio University, 1912 – singer and songwriter
 * Casey Donahew, Texas A&M University – country musician, Casey Donahew Band
 * Wayland Holyfield, University of Arkansas, 1964 – songwriter
 * Bob James, University of Michigan, 1961 – jazz musician, Grammy Award recipient
 * Werner Janssen, Dartmouth College, 1921 – conductor and composer
 * Erich Kunzel, Dartmouth College, 1957 – symphony conductor; Grammy Award recipient
 * Phil Pritchett, Southwestern University – country musician, singer and songwriter
 * Phil Walden, Mercer University, 1962 – founder of Capricorn Records

Radio

 * Edgar White Burrill, Amherst College, 1906 – radio announcer and lecturer
 * Ken Niles, University of Montana, 1928 – radio actor
 * Wendell Niles, University of Montana, 1927 – broadcaster during the Golden Age of radio

Video games

 * Alex Seropian, University of Chicago, 1991 – developer of the Halo, Marathon, and Myth game series

Canada

 * James Bartleman, University of Western Ontario, 1963 – 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
 * William Moore Benidickson, University of Manitoba, 1932 – Canadian Senator, 1965–1985
 * Leslie Blackwell, University of Toronto, 1923 – Attorney General of Ontario
 * Louis Orville Breithaupt, University of Toronto, 1913 – 18th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
 * Donald Cameron, University of Alberta, 1939 – Canadian Senator of Alberta
 * Henry Hague Davis, University of Toronto, 1907 – justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, 1935–1944
 * Henry Read Emmerson, McGill University, 1906 – Canadian Senator of New Brunswick, 1949–1954
 * The Honourable Trevor Eyton, OC, University of Toronto, 1956 – Canadian Senator
 * Garde Gardom, University of British Columbia, 1946 – Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, 1995–2001
 * The Honourable Michael Kirby, OC, Dalhousie University, 1963 – Canadian Senator of Nova Scotia, 1984–2006; chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada
 * Victor Oland, Dalhousie University, 1933 – Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, 1968–1973
 * Arthur "Art" Phillips, University of British Columbia, 1953 – 32nd Mayor of Vancouver, 1973–1977
 * Gerald Regan, Dalhousie University, 1952 – Premier of Nova Scotia, 1970–1978

Executive branch

 * Thomas J. Anderson, Vanderbilt University, 1934, – the American Party presidential nominee in 1976.
 * James Baker, University of Texas, 1957 – Secretary of State – Bush administration; founder of the James Baker Institute
 * Barber Conable, Cornell, 1943 – president of the World Bank; Congressman from New York, 1965–85
 * Benjamin Harrison, Miami University (Ohio), 1852 – 23rd President of the United States
 * John W. Foster, Indiana University, 1855 – 32nd Secretary of State
 * David F. Houston, University of South Carolina, 1887 – 5th Secretary of Agriculture, 48th Secretary of the Treasury
 * Harold Ickes, University of Chicago, 1897 – Secretary of the Interior, 1933–46
 * Hamilton Jordan, University of Georgia, 1964 – White House Chief of Staff, Carter administration
 * Robert P. Patterson, Union College, 1912- former Secretary of War
 * Wilton Persons, Auburn University, 1916 – White House Chief of Staff, Eisenhower administration
 * Geoffrey R. Pyatt, University of California, Irvine, 1985 – United States Ambassador to Greece
 * Tom Schieffer, University of Texas, 1970 – United States Ambassador to Japan
 * Adlai E. Stevenson, Centre College, 1860 – 23rd Vice President of the United States
 * Frederick Moore Vinson, Centre College, 1909 – US Secretary of the Treasury

Judicial branch

 * William Gordon Mathews, University of Virginia School of Law, 1897 – Federal judge
 * James C. McReynolds, Vanderbilt University, 1883 – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
 * Sherman Minton, Indiana University, 1915 – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
 * Milford K. Smith, associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
 * Frederick Moore Vinson, Centre College, 1909 – Chief Justice of the United States

Governors

 * Neil Abercrombie, Union, 1959 – Governor of Hawaii, 2010–14
 * Forrest H. Anderson, University of Montana, 1937 – Governor of Montana, 1969–73
 * Jerry Apodaca, University of New Mexico, 1956 – Governor of New Mexico, 1974–79
 * Joseph C. Blackburn, Centre College, 1857 – Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, 1907–09; also a US Senator from Illinois
 * Roger D. Branigin, Franklin College, 1923 – Governor of Indiana, 1965–69
 * John Y. Brown, Jr., University of Kentucky, 1956 – Governor of Kentucky, 1979–83
 * George Busbee, University of Georgia, 1950 – Governor of Georgia, 1975–83
 * William Prentice Cooper, Vanderbilt University, 1917 – Governor of Tennessee, 1939–45
 * Jon Corzine, University of Illinois, 1969 – Governor of New Jersey 2006–2010
 * William Haselden Ellerbe, Wofford College, 1883 – Governor of South Carolina, 1877–99
 * Samuel H. Elrod, DePauw University, 1882 – Governor of South Dakota, 1905–07
 * Joseph B. Ely, Williams College, 1902 – Governor of Massachusetts, 1931–35
 * Norman A. Erbe, University of Iowa, 1947 – Governor of Iowa, 1960–63
 * Booth Gardner, University of Washington, 1958 – Governor of Washington, 1985–93
 * Chester Harding, University of Alabama, 1884 – Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, 1917–21
 * Thomas W. Hardwick, Mercer University, 1892 – Governor of Georgia, 1921–23; also a US Senator and Congressman
 * Warren E. Hearnes, University of Missouri, 1943 – Governor of Missouri, 1965–73
 * James Holshouser, Davidson College, 1956 – Governor of North Carolina, 1973–77
 * Herman G. Kump, University of Virginia, 1905 – Governor of West Virginia, 1932–36
 * Hill McAlister, Vanderbilt University, 1897 – Governor of Tennessee, 1933–37
 * Tom McCall, University of Oregon, 1936 – Governor of Oregon, 1966–75
 * Douglas McKay, Oregon State University, 1941 – Governor of Oregon, 1949–52
 * Arthur C. Mellette, Indiana University, 1864 – Governor of South Dakota, 1889–93
 * John T. Morrison, Lafayette College, 1880 – Governor of Idaho, 1903–05
 * Ragnvald A. Nestos, University of North Dakota, 1904 – Governor of North Dakota, 1921–25
 * Malcolm R. Patterson, Vanderbilt University, 1882 – Governor of Tennessee, 1907–11
 * Alexander Ramsey, Lafayette College, 1836 (Honorary) – Governor of Minnesota, 1849–53 also US Senator, Congressman, and Secretary of War
 * Jim Risch, University of Idaho, 1965 – Governor of Idaho, 2005–06
 * Hulett C. Smith, University of Pennsylvania, 1938 – Governor of West Virginia, 1965–69
 * Adlai Stevenson II, Princeton University, 1922 – Governor of Illinois, 1949–53
 * Ernest Vandiver, University of Georgia, 1940 – Governor of Georgia, 1959–63
 * William Winter, University of Mississippi, 1944 – Governor of Mississippi, 1980–84
 * Mark White, Baylor University, 1962 – Governor of Texas, 1983–87
 * C. C. Young, UC Berkeley, 1892 – Governor of California, 1927–31

US Congressmen

 * Neil Abercrombie, Union, 1959 – representative from Hawaii 1986–1987, 1991–2010
 * John Alexander Anderson, Miami University (Ohio), 1853 – representative from Kansas, 1879–1886
 * William B. Bankhead, University of Alabama, 1893 – former Speaker of the House, representative from Alabama, 1917–1940
 * Douglas Barnard, Mercer University, 1943 – representative from Georgia, 1977–1992
 * Chris Bell, University of Texas, 1988 – representative from Texas, 2002–2004
 * Richard Walker Bolling, University of South, 1937 – representative from Missouri, 1949–1982
 * Charles G. Bond, Ohio State University, 1899 – representative from New York, 1921–1922
 * Edward J. Bonin, Dickinson College, 1933 – representative from Pennsylvania, 1953–1954
 * William G. Brantley, University of Georgia, 1881 – representative from Georgia, 1897–1912
 * Jim Broyhill, University of North Carolina, 1950 – representative from North Carolina, 1963–1984
 * Bradley Byrne, Duke University, 1977 – representative from Alabama, 2013–present
 * Howard Callaway, Georgia Tech, 1948 – representative from Georgia, 1965–1966
 * Frank Ertel Carlyle, University of North Carolina, 1920 – representative from North Carolina, 1949–1956
 * James M. Collins, Southern Methodist University, 1937 – representative from Texas, 1967–1982
 * Robert J. Corbett, Allegheny College, 1927 – representative from Pennsylvania, 1939–1972
 * Jim Courter, Colgate University, 1963 – representative from New Jersey, 1979–1990
 * Edwin R. Durno, University of Oregon, 1921 – representative from Oregon, 1961–1962
 * John Fleming, Jr., Ole Miss, 1973 – representative from Louisiana, 2009–present
 * Charles K. Fletcher, Stanford University, 1924 – representative from California, 1947–1948
 * Wyche Fowler, Davidson College, 1962 – representative from Georgia, 1977–1986
 * Burton L. French, University of Idaho, 1901 – representative from Idaho, 1903–1932
 * James G. Fulton, Penn State, 1924 – representative from Pennsylvania, 1945–1972
 * Charles Goodell, Williams College, 1949 – representative from New York, 1959–1970
 * Oscar Lee Gray, University of Alabama, 1885 – representative from Alabama, 1915–1917
 * Francis M. Griffith, Franklin College, 1874 – representative from Indiana, 1897–1904
 * James M. Griggs, Vanderbilt University, 1881 – representative from Georgia, 1897–1910
 * Andrew H. Hamilton, Wabash College, 1855 – representative from Indiana, 1875–1878
 * Thomas Hardwick, Mercer University, 1892 – representative from Georgia, 1903–1918
 * Rufus Hardy, University of Georgia, 1875 – representative from Texas, 1907–1922
 * Joel Hefley, Oklahoma State, 1959 – representative from Colorado, 1987–2007
 * William M. Howard, University of Georgia, 1877 – representative from Georgia, 1897–1910
 * Jared Huffman, UC Santa Barbara, 1986 – representative from California, 2013–present
 * John Jarman, Westminster College, 1936 – representative from Oklahoma, 1951–1976
 * Royal C. Johnson, University of South Dakota, 1906 – representative from South Dakota, 1915–1932
 * John L. Kennedy, Knox College, 1883 – representative from Nebraska, 1905–1906
 * Frank Kratovil, McDaniel College, 1990 – representative from Maryland, 2009–2011
 * Charles M. La Follette, Wabash College, 1920 – representative from Indiana, 1943–1946
 * James G. Lee, Emory University, 1880 – representative from Georgia, 1905–1926
 * William Lemke, University of North Dakota, 1903 – representative from North Dakota, 1933–1950
 * Pete McCloskey, Stanford University, 1951 – author of the Endangered Species Act; representative from California, 1967–1983
 * Robert C. McEwen, University of Vermont, 1942 – representative from New York, 1965–1980
 * Charles F. McLaughlin, University of Nebraska, 1908 – representative from Nebraska, 1935–1942
 * James McNulty, Arizona, 1950 – representative from Arizona, 1983–1985
 * Luke Messer, Wabash College, 1991 – representative from Indiana, 2013–present
 * Walt Minnick, Whitman College, 1958 – representative from Idaho, 2009–2011
 * Chester Mize, University of Kansas, 1939 – representative from Kansas, 1965–1970
 * Martin A. Morrison, Butler University, 1883 – representative from Indiana 1910–1916
 * Charles L. Moses, Mercer University, 1876 – representative from Georgia, 1891–1896
 * Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Gettysburg College, 1908 – representative from Pennsylvania, 1947–1948
 * William B. Oliver, University of Alabama, 1887– representative from Alabama, 1915–1936
 * James W. Overstreet, Mercer University, 1888 – representative from Georgia, 1905–1922
 * Jim Ramstad, University of Minnesota – representative from Minnesota, 1991–2009
 * Dwight L. Rogers, Mercer University, 1910 – representative from Florida, 1945–1954
 * Paul G. Rogers, University of Florida, 1942 – representative from Florida, 1955–1978
 * David Rouzer, North Carolina State, 1994 – representative from North Carolina, 2015–present
 * Max Sandlin, Baylor, 1975 – representative from Texas, 1997–2004
 * Jouette Shouse, University of Missouri, 1899 – representative from Illinois, 1915–1918
 * Garner E. Shriver, Wichita State University, 1934 – representative from Kansas, 1961–1976
 * Jim Slattery, Washburn University, 1970 – representative from Kansas, 1983–1995
 * Albert T. Smith Jr., Auburn University, 1953 – representative from Alabama, 1981–1983
 * Adlai E. Stevenson, Centre College, 1860 – representative from Illinois, 1875–1880
 * Willis Sweet, University of Nebraska, 1879 – representative from Idaho, 1889–1894
 * Clark W. Thompson, University of Oregon, 1918 – representative from Texas, 1933–1966
 * Edwin Keith Thomson, University of Wyoming, 1939 – representative from Wyoming, 1955–1960
 * Samuel Tribble, University of Georgia, 1891 – representative from Georgia, 1911–1916
 * Frederick M. Vinson, Centre College, 1909 – representative from Kentucky, 1924–1928, 1930–1937
 * Francis E. Walter, Lafayette College, 1916 – representative from Pennsylvania, 1933–1964
 * Thomas B. Ward, Miami University (Ohio), 1855 – representative from Indiana, 1883–1886

US Senators

 * Brock Adams, University of Washington, 1948 – Secretary of Treasury; Congressman from Washington; senator from Washington, 1987–1993
 * John Allen, Wabash College, 1867 – senator from Washington, 1889–1892
 * Joseph C. Blackburn, Centre College, 1857 – senator from Kentucky, 1885–1906
 * Mike Braun, Wabash College, 1976 – senator from Indiana, 2019–present
 * James Broyhill, University of North Carolina, 1950 – senator from North Carolina, 1985–1991
 * Harry P. Cain, University of the South, 1929 – senator from Washington, 1946–1952
 * Thomas Connally, University of Texas, 1898 – senator from Texas, 1929–1952
 * Harry Darby, University of Illinois, 1917 – senator from Kansas, 1949–1950
 * Dennis DeConcini, University of Arizona, 1959 – senator from Arizona, 1977–1994
 * Duncan U. Fletcher, Vanderbilt University, 1880 – senator from Florida, 1909–36
 * Wyche Fowler, Davidson College, 1962 – senator from Georgia, 1987–1992
 * James Z. George, University of Mississippi – senator from Mississippi, 1881–1898
 * Thomas Hardwick, Mercer University, 1892 – senator from Georgia, 1913–1918
 * J. Bennett Johnston, Washington & Lee College, 1954 – senator from Louisiana, 1972–1997
 * Eugene D. Millikin, University of Colorado, 1913 – senator from Colorado, 1941–1956
 * Sherman Minton, Indiana University Senator from Indiana, 1935–1941
 * Sam Nunn, Georgia Tech 1960 – founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative; senator from Georgia, 1972–1997
 * James E. Risch, University of Idaho, 1965, 1968 – J.D.; senator from Idaho, 2008–present
 * Arthur Raymond Robinson, University of Chicago, 1913 – senator from Indiana, 1925–1934
 * Elbert Thomas, University of Utah, 1906 – senator from Utah, 1933–1950
 * John Elmer Thomas, DePauw University, 1900 – senator from Oklahoma, 1927–1950
 * Thomas R. Underwood, University of Kentucky, 1919 – Congressman from Indiana; senator from Indiana, 1951–1952
 * William F. Vilas, University of Wisconsin, 1858 – senator from Wisconsin, 1891–1896
 * Edward Cary Walthall, University of Mississippi – senator from Indiana, 1885–1894
 * Xenophon P. Wilfley, Washington University in St. Louis, 1899 – senator from Missouri, 1917–1918
 * Raymond E. Willis, Wabash College, 1896 – senator from Indiana, 1941–1956

Other

 * Jean Baptiste Adoue, University of Texas, 1906 – former mayor of Dallas, Texas
 * Ralph Haben, University of Florida – former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
 * Adam Hasner, University of Maryland, 1991 – House Majority Leader, Florida House of Representatives, 2002–present
 * John F. Hayes, Washburn University – majority leader, Kansas House of Representatives
 * Jim Herring, University of Mississippi 1960 – state chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party 2001–2008; state circuit court judge, 1997–1999
 * Thomas M. Honan, Indiana University Bloomington, 1899 – Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, 1908-1910; Indiana Attorney General, 1911-1915
 * Brad Little, University of Idaho 1977 – Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, 2009–
 * Henry F. Mason, Wisconsin, 1881 – Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
 * William Harding Mayes, Vanderbilt University, 1881 – Lieutenant Governor of Texas, 1912–14
 * Charles D. McAtee, Washburn University, 1950 – Marine Corps officer; FBI agent; candidate for Congress; Kansas Attorney General; supervised the last executions in Kansas as director of penal institutions, 1965–1969
 * Warren W. Shaw, Washburn University, 1931 – judge; member of Eisenhower's staff during World War II; representative in the Kansas House of Representatives; 1954 Republican nominee for Kansas governor
 * Shap Smith, University of Vermont, 1987 – current Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
 * Robert Stone, Washburn University, 1889 – Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, 1915
 * Richard Vinroot, University of North Carolina, 1963 – Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, 1991–95
 * Kevin White, Williams College, 1952 – second longest-serving mayor in Boston history
 * Drew Wrigley, University of North Dakota 1988 – Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
 * Joshua Soule Zimmerman, Randolph–Macon College, 1892 – West Virginia House Delegate; Hampshire County, West Virginia prosecuting attorney; orchardist

Literature

 * Ray Stannard Baker, Michigan State University, 1889 – biographer, Pulitzer Prize winner
 * Louis Bromfield, Columbia University, 1920 – Pulitzer Prize winner for Early Autumn
 * Po Bronson, Stanford, 1986 – writer
 * Eugene Field, Knox College, 1872 – poet, author of children's books
 * Walter Havighurst, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1923 – writer and professor
 * Don Herold, Indiana University, 1912 – humorist
 * James Michener, Swarthmore College, 1929 – Pulitzer Prize winner, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
 * Dan Moldea, The University of Akron, 1973 – author, writer of organized crime and American politics books
 * Reynolds Price, Duke University, 1955 – writer, essayist
 * Edward K. Thompson, University of North Dakota, 1927 – managing editor of Life magazine
 * William Allen White, University of Kansas, 1890 – editor, writer, Pulitzer Prize winner

Media

 * Earle C. Anthony, UC Berkeley, 1903 – pioneer broadcaster; founder of KFI
 * Gary Bender, Wichita State, 1962 – sports anchor
 * Elmer Davis, Franklin College, 1910 – director of the War Information Department in WWII; Peabody Award recipient
 * Willie Geist, Vanderbilt University, 1997 – NBC News personality, co-host of Morning Joe and Sunday Today with Willie Geist anchor
 * Harry Kalas, University of Iowa, 1959 – sportscaster
 * Robert Kintner, University of Washington, 1944 – president of the ABC, 1950–56
 * William Harding Mayes, Vanderbilt University, 1881 – president of the Texas Press Association, 1889–90; president of the National Editorial Association, 1908; president of the Association of American Schools and Departments of Journalism, 1920–21
 * Byron Price, Wabash College, 1912 – director of Censorship in WWII; Pulitzer Prize recipient
 * Bob Prince, University of Pittsburgh, 1938 – sportscaster
 * Bob Schieffer, Texas Christian University, 1959 – CBS News anchor
 * Frank Stanton, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1937 – former president of CBS
 * Trey Wingo, Baylor, 1985 – ESPN anchor

Medal of Honor and Victoria Cross recipients

 * John Henry Balch, Northwestern University, 1920 – Medal of Honor recipient, World War I
 * John C. Black, Wabash, 1862 – Medal of Honor recipient, Civil War
 * William P. Black, Wabash, 1864 – Medal of Honor recipient, Civil War
 * Henry V. Boynton, Kentucky Military Institute, 1858 – Medal of Honor recipient, Civil War
 * Robert W. Cary, University of Missouri, 1912 – Medal of Honor recipient, peacetime; Distinguished Service Cross, World War I
 * Frederick Funston, University of Kansas, 1890 – Medal of Honor recipient, Philippine–American War
 * Robert Hampton Gray, University of British Columbia, 1940 – Victoria Cross recipient, World War II
 * Alexander R. Skinker, Washington University in St. Louis, 1905 – Medal of Honor recipient, World War I
 * Leon Vance, University of Oklahoma, 1937 – Medal of Honor recipient, World War II

Prominent military personnel

 * Jacob Ammen, Indiana University, 1830 – general, Union Army, Civil War
 * David Enoch Beam, Indiana University, 1860 - captain, Union Army, Civil War
 * William Montague Browne, University of Georgia, 1843 – general, secretary of state, Confederate States of America
 * Arthur S. Champeny, Washburn University – brigadier general; only person in US history to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in three separate wars
 * John K. Davis, University of New Mexico, 1951 – assistant commandant, Marine Corps 1983–86
 * Louis R. de Steiguer, Ohio University, 1887 – admiral; commander in chief, Battle Fleet, US Fleet, 1927–1928
 * Julian J. Ewell, Duke University, 1936 – United States Army lieutenant general; Commander of Operation Speedy Express; commander of the 9th US Infantry Division
 * Robert L. Ghormley, University of Idaho, 1903 – commander of all forces during the Guadalcanal campaign in WWII
 * Arthur F. Gorham, Miami University, circa 1932 (uninitiated, transferred to West Point) – lieutenant colonel; commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily; twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
 * Leonard D. Heaton, Denison College, 1923 – US major general Surgeon General
 * Charles Horner, University of Iowa, 1958 – commander of NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command; Commander of Allied Air Force for Desert Storm
 * Edgar Jadwin, Lafayette College, 1888 – lieutenant general, chief of engineers 1926–1929
 * David E. Jeremiah, University of Oregon, 1955 – admiral, acting chairman Joint Chief of Staffs, October 1993
 * Edward P. King, University of Georgia, 1903 – major general, commanding officer, Bataan, World War II
 * Eli Long, Indiana University, 1855 – major general, Union Army, Civil War
 * John S. McCain, Sr., University of Mississippi, 1905 – vice admiral and commander of all land-based naval aircraft in the South Pacific, World War II
 * Scott O'Grady, University of Washington, 1988 – USAF captain shot down over Bosnia, rescued six days later
 * Edwin D. Patrick, Indiana University, 1916 – major general, commander of the 6th Infantry Division in WWII
 * Bernard W. Rogers, Kansas State University, 1943 – general, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO
 * Leroy W. Stutz, Washburn University, 1960 – Air Force colonel; spent 2,284 days as a prisoner of war during Vietnam
 * Robert Taplett, University of South Dakota, 1940 – Navy Cross recipient, Korean War

Nobel Prize winners

 * Adam G. Riess, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1992 – Physics, 2011

Religion

 * Charles Minnigerode Beckwith, Bishop of Alabama
 * Kirkman George Finlay, University of the South, 1900 – first Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
 * Clare Purcell, Emory, 1910 – Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South
 * Ralph W. Sockman, Ohio Wesleyan, 1911 – evangelist, writer
 * David Swing, Miami University, 1852 – founder of the Central Church of Chicago

Science and technology

 * Powel Crosley Jr., University of Cincinnati, 1909 – inventor; owner of Cincinnati Reds
 * Thomas Francis, Jr., Allegheny College, 1921 – physician, virologist, and epidemiologist; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
 * Drew Houston, MIT, 2006 – founder and CEO of Dropbox
 * Mark Hurd, Baylor University, 1979 – former CEO of NCR Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, and Oracle Corporation
 * Charles Peter McColough, Dalhousie University, 1943 – former chairman and CEO of Xerox
 * Patrick Piemonte, Purdue University, 2004 – inventor and user interface designer
 * Homer Clyde Snook, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1900 – inventor; electrical engineer

Sports

 * Mike Racy, Washburn University, NCAA VP, MIAA Commissioner
 * Mike Adamle, Northwestern University, 1971 – NFL safety, broadcaster
 * Bill Austin, Oregon State College, 1949 – NFL lineman and head coach
 * Terry Baker, Oregon State University, 1963 – NFL & CFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner, first selection of 1963 NFL draft, NCAA Final Four (basketball)
 * Ernest Bearg, Washburn University, 1916 – head football coach, Washburn and University of Nebraska
 * Jim Bowden, Rollins College, 1983 – MLB general manager, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals
 * Richard R. Baggins, Case Western Reserve, 1901 – MLB pitcher, Cleveland Blues
 * Rich Brooks, Oregon State University, 1963 – head football coach, University of Oregon, and St. Louis Rams (NFL), and University of Kentucky
 * Randy Brown, University of Florida – MLB catcher
 * Dave Burba, Ohio State University, 1988 – MLB pitcher
 * Ron Cey, Washington State University, 1970 – MLB third baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs
 * Gunther Cunningham, University of Oregon, 1968 – NFL defensive coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs, former head coach
 * Alvin Dark, Louisiana State University, 1945 – MLB infielder, manager; Rookie of the Year, 1948
 * Dwight F. Davis, Washington University in St. Louis, 1899 – tennis player, namesake of the Davis Cup
 * Eugene Davis, University of Virginia, 1899 – football coach; later a surgeon
 * Morgan Ensberg, University of Southern California, 1998 – MLB infielder
 * Weeb Ewbank, Miami University (Ohio), 1928 – NFL and AFL head coach; Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Scott Fortune, Stanford, 1988 – Olympic gold medalist, volleyball
 * Ralph Friedgen, University of Maryland, 1970 – head coach, University of Maryland football
 * Gary Gait, Syracuse University, 1990 – lacrosse, multiple All-American and NCAA champion
 * Paul Gait, Syracuse University, 1990 – lacrosse, multiple All-American and NCAA champion
 * Laddie Gale, University of Oregon, 1939 – Basketball Hall of Fame
 * Lou Gehrig, Columbia University, 1925 – MLB first baseman, New York Yankees; Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Jack Gelineau, McGill University, 1949 – NHL goaltender, Calder Memorial Trophy winner
 * Matt Grevers, Northwestern University, 2007 – Olympic gold medalist, swimming
 * Jack Ham, Penn State University, 1971 – NFL All-Pro linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Jack Harbaugh, Bowling Green University, 1961 – college football coach
 * Tom Harmon, University of Michigan, 1941 – Heisman Trophy winner, broadcaster
 * Tommy Moore, Stephen F. Austin University, 1966 - NFL official sidejudge, replay official
 * Taner Hamzawi, Florida State University, 2006 - Arkansas head coach
 * Terry Hoeppner, Franklin College, 1969 – college football coach
 * Hughie Jennings, Cornell University, 1904 – MLB infielder, manager, Detroit Tigers, Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Wilbur Johns, UCLA, 1925 – UCLA basketball coach and athletic director
 * William Johnson, University of Kansas, 1933 – center, Basketball Hall of Fame
 * Bob Locker, Iowa State, 1960 - MLB pitcher, played on 1972 World Series champion Oakland Athletics
 * Don Meredith, Southern Methodist University, 1960 – NFL All-Pro quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
 * Dick Nolan, University of Maryland, 1955 – former head coach, San Francisco 49ers
 * J. T. O'Sullivan, U.C. Davis, 2002 – NFL quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
 * Jim Otto, University of Miami, 1960 – NFL center, Oakland Raiders, Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Dave Parks, Texas Tech University, 1964 – NFL wide receiver, first selection of 1964 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers
 * William Porter Payne, University of Georgia, 1969 – president of Atlanta Olympic Committee, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club
 * Grantland Rice, Vanderbilt University, 1901 – sportswriter
 * Detlef Schrempf, University of Washington, 1986 – NBA All-Star forward
 * Ted Schroeder, Stanford University, 1942 – tennis player, Wimbledon and US Open champion
 * Jason Simontacchi, San Jose State University, 1996 – MLB pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals
 * Russell Stewart, Washington & Lee University, 2012 – Gaglardi Award nominee, captain of record setting Phi Delta Theta Intramural Basketball team, only Division 3 player to score on offense, defense, special teams, and off the field
 * Steve Tasker, Northwestern University, 1985 – NFL All-pro special teams player, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills
 * Zach Thomas, Texas Tech University, 1996 – NFL linebacker, Miami Dolphins
 * Mike Timlin, Southwestern University, 1988 – MLB pitcher, four World Series championship teams
 * Bill Toomey, University of Colorado, 1961 – Olympic gold medalist, 1968 decathlon
 * Doak Walker, Southern Methodist University, 1950 – NFL All-Pro halfback, Detroit Lions, 1948 Heisman Trophy winner, Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Wayne Walker, University of Idaho, 1958 – NFL All-Pro linebacker, Detroit Lions (started all 15 seasons)
 * Wes Welker, Texas Tech University, 2004 – NFL All-Pro wide receiver, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos
 * Gary Williams, University of Maryland, 1968 – head basketball coach, University of Maryland