Notable Alumni of Indiana University-Bloomington

Michael D. Higgins 1941–

Former President of Ireland, poet

Robert Gates 1943–

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA director

Also attended: Georgetown University, College of William and Mary

Evan Bayh 1955–

Former Indiana governor and US senator

Also attended: University of Virginia-Main Campus

Spouse: Susan Bayh (University of California-Berkeley, University of Southern California)

Father: Birch Bayh (Indiana State University, Indiana University-Bloomington)

Oksana Markarova 1976–

Former Ukrainian ambassador to the US and finance minister

Also attended: Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Purdue University-Main Campus

Walter Quintin Gresham 1832–1895

US Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary and Postmaster General

John Watson Foster 1836–1917

US Secretary of State from 1892 to 1893

Also attended: Harvard University

Paul H. O'Neill 1935–2020

72nd U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

Master in Public Administration

Also attended: California State University--Fresno, Claremont Graduate University, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Jim Banks 1979–

U.S. Senator from Indiana

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 2004

Also attended: Grace College and Theological Seminary

Victoria Spartz 1978–

U.S. Representative from Indiana

Also attended: Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Tamar Beruchashvili 1961–

Georgian diplomat and former foreign minister

Nikiforos Diamandouros 1942–

Greek academic and former European Ombudsman

Bachelor's degree · Political science

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Otis R. Bowen 1918–2013

Governor of Indiana and Reagan's health secretary

Also attended: Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Baylor University, Purdue University-Main Campus

Michael Badnarik 1954–2022

Libertarian Party 2004 presidential nominee

Mack Mattingly 1931–

Former U.S. senator from Georgia and diplomat

Birch Bayh 1928–2019

Former U.S. Senator from Indiana

Bachelor of Laws

Also attended: Indiana State University, Purdue University-Main Campus

Spouse: Marvella Bayh (Indiana State University, Indiana University-Bloomington)

Child: Evan Bayh (Indiana University-Bloomington, University of Virginia-Main Campus)

Dan Burton 1938–

Former U.S. Representative from Indiana

Also attended: Cincinnati Christian University

Marie Harf 1981–

Fox News commentator, former State Department adviser

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: University of Virginia-Main Campus

Edgar Whitcomb 1917–2016

43rd Governor of Indiana

Also attended: Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Purdue University-Main Campus

Joyce Mpanga 1934–2023

Ugandan politician and government minister

Master's degree · Class of 1962

Elizabeth Akua Ohene 1945–

Ghanaian journalist and former education minister of state

Erin Houchin 1976–

US Representative for Indiana's 9th district

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: George Washington University

Nick Begich III 1977–

U.S. Representative for Alaska, Republican

Master of Business Administration · Class of 2002

Also attended: Baylor University

Stephan Brunner 1961–

Former first vice president of Costa Rica

Master of Arts · Economics

Jennifer Morgan 1966–

Climate activist and German foreign ministry climate envoy

Also attended: American University

Jimmy Wales 1966–

Co-founder of Wikipedia

Also attended: The University of Alabama, Auburn University

Mark Cuban 1958–

Investor and former principal owner of Dallas Mavericks

Bilal Erdoğan 1981–

Turkish businessman, son of President Erdoğan

Also attended: Harvard University

Sibling: Esra Albayrak Erdoğan (University of California-Berkeley, Indiana University-Bloomington)

Amy Webb 1974–

Futurist, author and Future Today Strategy Group founder

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

John Chambers 1949–

Former CEO and executive chairman of Cisco Systems

Also attended: Duke University, West Virginia University

Bob Chapek 1960–

Former CEO of the Walt Disney Company

Also attended: Michigan State University

James Watson 1928–2025

Molecular biologist and Nobel laureate

Doctor of Philosophy · Zoology · Class of 1950

Also attended: University of Chicago

Ismail al-Faruqi 1921–1986

Palestinian-American Muslim philosopher and scholar

Philosophy · Attended until 1952

Also attended: Harvard University

Vesto Slipher 1875–1969

Astronomer who first measured galaxies' radial velocities

René Girard 1923–2015

French scholar who developed mimetic theory

Doctorate · Study of history · Class of 1950

David Chalmers 1966–

Australian philosopher and NYU professor

Philip H. Dybvig 1955–

Economist and professor at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

Bachelor of Arts · Mathematics, Physics · Class of 1976

Also attended: Yale University

David Starr Jordan 1851–1931

Ichthyologist and founding president of Stanford University

Also attended: Butler University, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Cornell University

Child: Edith Jordan Gardner (Cornell University, Stanford University)

Stephen F. Cohen 1938–2020

Historian and scholar of Russian studies

Master of Arts · Russian studies · Class of 1962

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: Katrina vanden Heuvel (Princeton University)

Rosa Smith Eigenmann 1858–1947

Ichthyologist, first woman ichthyologist in the US

Attended until 1882

Also attended: Harvard University

Spouse: Carl H. Eigenmann (Indiana University-Bloomington, Harvard University)

Carl H. Eigenmann 1863–1927

German-American ichthyologist

Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1889

Also attended: Harvard University

Spouse: Rosa Smith Eigenmann (Indiana University-Bloomington, Harvard University)

Adelina Gutiérrez 1925–2015

Chilean astrophysicist, first Chilean with astrophysics doctorate

Attended until 1964

Charles Henry Gilbert 1859–1928

Pioneer ichthyologist and fishery biologist

Jan Harold Brunvand 1933–

Folklorist who popularized the urban legend concept

Also attended: Michigan State University

Ousseina Alidou 1963–

Linguist and distinguished professor at Rutgers

Leif Erland Andersson 1943–1979

Swedish astronomer

Karl Menninger 1893–1990

Psychiatrist, co-founder of the Menninger Clinic

Also attended: Washburn University, Harvard University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sibling: William C. Menninger (Washburn University, Cornell University)

Charles David Allis 1951–2023

Molecular biologist and Rockefeller University professor

Alexandra Daddario 1986–

Actress known for Percy Jackson

Also attended: University of Southern California, Marymount Manhattan College

Sibling: Matthew Daddario (Indiana University-Bloomington)

Kevin Kline 1947–

American actor

Attended until 1970

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Spouse: Phoebe Cates (The Juilliard School)

Child: Owen Kline (Pratt Institute-Main)

Laverne Cox 1972–

Actress known for Orange Is the New Black, LGBTQ advocate

Also attended: Fashion Institute of Technology, Marymount Manhattan College

Sibling: M Lamar (San Francisco Art Institute)

Jonathan Banks 1947–

Actor known for Wiseguy

Ryan Murphy 1965–

Television writer, director and producer

Emilie Autumn 1979–

Singer-songwriter, poet and violinist

Matthew Daddario 1987–

Actor known for Shadowhunters

Business activity · Attended until 2010

Sibling: Alexandra Daddario (University of Southern California, Indiana University-Bloomington)

Joshua Bell 1967–

Violinist and conductor

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Lee Majors 1939–

Actor known for The Six Million Dollar Man

Also attended: Eastern Kentucky University

Spouse: Farrah Fawcett (The University of Texas at Austin)

Robert James Waller 1939–2017

Author of The Bridges of Madison County

Also attended: University of Northern Iowa

S. Epatha Merkerson 1952–

Actress, Emmy and Golden Globe winner

Also attended: Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University

Michael Brecker 1949–2007

Jazz saxophonist and composer

Howard Ashman 1950–1991

Lyricist and playwright known for Disney animated films

Also attended: Boston University, Goddard College

Chris Botti 1962–

Trumpeter and composer, Grammy Award winner

Also attended: Mt Hood Community College

Peter Erskine 1954–

Jazz drummer, formerly of Weather Report

Child: Maya Erskine (New York University)

Booker T. Jones 1944–

Musician, songwriter and record producer

Leonidas Kavakos 1967–

Greek violinist and conductor

Tuc Watkins 1966–

Actor known for Desperate Housewives and One Life to Live

Katy O'Brian 1989–

Actress in Love Lies Bleeding and The Mandalorian

Leonard Slatkin 1944–

Conductor and composer

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Nicole Parker 1978–

Actress and comedian known for Mad TV

John Crowley 1942–2026

Author of fantasy and science fiction

Charles Aidman 1925–1993

Stage, film and television actor

Ida Husted Harper 1851–1931

Suffragist, journalist and biographer of Susan B. Anthony

Violette Verdy 1933–2016

French ballerina and ballet teacher

Vivica Genaux 1969–

American coloratura mezzo-soprano

Maria Kliegel 1952–

German cellist and music educator

Jeff Hamilton 1953–

Jazz drummer and bandleader

Lawrence Brownlee 1972–

Operatic tenor associated with bel canto repertoire

Also attended: Anderson University

Philip French 1933–2015

English film critic and radio producer

Miriam Fried 1946–

Romanian-born Israeli violinist and teacher

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Child: Daniel Biss (Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Child: Jonathan Biss (Indiana University-Bloomington, Curtis Institute of Music)

Robert Bringhurst 1946–

Canadian poet, typographer and author

Also attended: University of Utah

Don Herold 1889–1966

Humorist, writer, illustrator and cartoonist

Also attended: School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Edgar Meyer 1960–

Double bassist and composer

Kermit Maynard 1897–1971

Actor and stuntman

Tavis Smiley 1964–

Talk show host and author

James Pierce 1900–1983

Actor and fourth film Tarzan

Raju Narisetti 1966–

Journalist and McKinsey global publishing director

Marjorie Agosín 1955–2025

Chilean-American writer and poet

Also attended: University of Georgia

Kenny Aronoff 1953–

Drummer long associated with John Mellencamp

Also attended: University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Sylvia McNair 1956–

Soprano and two-time Grammy winner

Also attended: Wheaton College (IL)

Hu Nai-yuan 1961–

Violinist, 1985 Queen Elisabeth Competition first prize winner

Will Shortz 1952–

Editor of The New York Times crossword

Also attended: University of Virginia-Main Campus

Sarah Kendzior 1978–

Journalist and author of The View from Flyover Country

Master of Arts · Class of 2006

Also attended: Washington University in St Louis, Sarah Lawrence College

Larry Bird 1956–

NBA legend, former player, coach and executive

Attended until 1974

Also attended: Indiana State University

Mark Spitz 1950–

Swimmer and nine-time Olympic champion

Isiah Thomas 1961–

Former Detroit Pistons player, coach and executive

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley, Indiana State University

Eric Gordon 1988–

Bahamian-American professional basketball player

Lilly King 1997–

Swimmer, 2016 Olympic 100m breaststroke champion

Derek Drouin 1990–

Canadian high jumper, 2016 Olympic champion

Victor Oladipo 1992–

Professional basketball player, Indiana Hoosiers alumnus

Walt Bellamy 1939–2013

NBA center

Mike Troy 1940–2019

Two-time Olympic champion swimmer

Bob Schul 1937–2024

1964 Olympic 5000 m gold medallist

Also attended: Miami University-Oxford

Greg Bell 1930–2025

1956 Olympic long jump gold medalist

OG Anunoby 1997–

NBA player for the New York Knicks

David Neville 1984–

400m sprinter and Olympic gold medalist

Roy Cochran 1919–1981

Sprinter and hurdler, two-time 1948 Olympic champion

Also attended: University of Southern California

Sibling: Commodore Cochran (Mississippi State University)

Cody Zeller 1992–

Former professional basketball player

Sibling: Tyler Zeller (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Sibling: Luke Zeller (University of Notre Dame)

Jim Montgomery 1955–

Olympic swimmer, first under 50 seconds in 100m freestyle

Milt Campbell 1933–2012

First African American Olympic decathlon champion

Donald Arnold 1935–2021

Canadian rower and Olympic champion

Charlie Hickcox 1947–2010

Swimmer; three-time 1968 Olympic champion

Also attended: Northern Kentucky University

Yogi Ferrell 1993–

Professional basketball player

Porfirio Betancourt 1957–2021

Honduran professional footballer

Steve Alford 1964–

College basketball coach and former Indiana player

Attended until 1987

Child: Bryce Alford (University of California-Los Angeles)

Jason Jordan 1988–

Retired professional wrestler and WWE producer

Quinn Buckner 1954–

Basketball player, 1976 national champion with Indiana

Mike Woodson 1958–

Basketball coach and former professional player

Danielle Carruthers 1979–

Hurdler, 2011 World Championships 100m hurdles silver medalist

Zach Apple 1997–

Sprint freestyle swimmer

Also attended: Auburn University

Thomas Bryant 1997–

NBA player who played college ball at Indiana

Ivan Fuqua 1909–1994

1932 Olympic 4×400 m relay gold medalist

George McGinnis 1950–2023

ABA and NBA basketball player

Dick Van Arsdale 1943–2024

NBA player and three-time All-Star with the Suns

Sibling: Tom Van Arsdale (Indiana University-Bloomington)

Don McKenzie 1947–2008

Competition swimmer

Frank McKinney 1938–1992

Olympic champion swimmer and bank executive

Del Harris 1937–

NBA coach of the Rockets, Bucks and Lakers

Noah Vonleh 1995–

Professional basketball player, played for Indiana

Bill Woolsey 1934–2022

Swimmer, 1952 Olympic gold medalist

Mike Stamm 1952–2026

Backstroke swimmer, 1972 Olympic gold and two silvers

Jordan Crawford 1988–

Former professional basketball player

Caleb Porter 1975–

Soccer coach, former New England Revolution head coach

Scott May 1954–

NBA player, led Indiana to 1976 title

Child: Sean May (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Kent Benson 1954–

Former NBA player, 1976 NCAA champion

Mark Kerry 1959–

Australian swimmer, 1980 Olympic gold medallist

Also attended: University of Southern California

Eric Alexander 1988–

Former professional soccer player

Jared Jeffries 1981–

Former NBA player, 11th pick in 2002

John Murphy 1953–

Swimmer and 1972 Olympic relay gold medalist

Romeo Langford 1999–

Basketball player who played for Indiana Hoosiers

Sunder Nix 1961–

1984 Olympic 4×400 m relay gold medalist

Tom Van Arsdale 1943–

NBA guard and forward for 12 seasons

Sibling: Dick Van Arsdale (Indiana University-Bloomington)

Chet Jastremski 1941–2014

Swimmer, 1964 Olympic bronze medalist

Also attended: Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Purdue University-Main Campus

Earl Calloway 1983–

American-born naturalized Bulgarian basketball player

Also attended: New Mexico State University-Main Campus, Georgia State University-Perimeter College

D. J. White 1986–

Former pro basketball player, 2008 NBA first-round pick

Randy Wittman 1959–

Former NBA player and Washington Wizards head coach

Child: Ryan Wittman (Cornell University)

Fred Schmidt 1943–

Swimmer, 1964 Olympic medley relay champion

Fred Tyler 1954–

Swimmer, 1972 Olympic 4×200m freestyle relay gold medalist

Uwe Blab 1962–

German former NBA basketball player

Keith Smart 1964–

Former basketball player and coach

Also attended: Garden City Community College

Bracey Wright 1984–

Former professional basketball player

Jessica Parratto 1994–

Diver and twelve-time USA Diving National Champion

Jared Fogle 1977–

Former Subway spokesman, convicted child sex offender

Jim Jones 1931–1978

Founder of the Peoples Temple cult

Also attended: Butler University

Esra Albayrak Erdoğan 1983–

Turkish sociologist, daughter of President Erdoğan

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley