Notable Alumni of Washburn University

Bob Dole 1923–2021

Kansas senator and Senate Republican leader

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws · Class of 1952

Also attended: University of Arizona, University of Kansas

Spouse: Elizabeth Dole (Harvard University, Duke University)

Togiola Tulafono 1947–

Sixth governor of American Samoa

Also attended: Chadron State College

Dennis Moore 1945–2021

Six-term U.S. representative from Kansas

Juris Doctor · Class of 1970

Also attended: University of Kansas, Southern Methodist University

John E. Erickson 1863–1946

8th Governor of Montana and U.S. senator

Joan Finney 1925–2001

42nd Governor of Kansas

Georgia Neese Clark 1898–1995

29th US Treasurer and first woman in the office

Phil Ruffin 1935–

Businessman who owns Treasure Island Hotel and Casino

Earl Wilbur Sutherland, Jr. 1915–1974

Pharmacologist and biochemist

Also attended: Washington University in St Louis, University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Karl Menninger 1893–1990

Psychiatrist, co-founder of the Menninger Clinic

Also attended: Indiana University-Bloomington, Harvard University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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

Irving Stringham 1847–1909

Mathematician who first used ln for natural logarithm

Attended until 1869

Also attended: Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University

Robert Soucy 1933–

Historian of French fascism

Also attended: University of Kansas, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Larry Niven 1938–

Science fiction writer, author of Ringworld

Kerry Livgren 1949–

Founding member and songwriter of the band Kansas

Carl Rowan 1925–2000

Journalist, columnist and government official

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Oberlin College, Tennessee State University

Georgia Louise Harris Brown 1918–1999

Architect; second African American woman licensed

Attended until 1937

Also attended: University of Kansas

Bill Kurtis 1940–

Television journalist, producer and news anchor

Juris Doctor

Also attended: University of Kansas

Sibling: Jean Schodorf (Wichita State University, University of New Mexico-Main Campus)

Bradbury Thompson 1911–1995

Graphic designer and art director

Harry J. Middleton 1921–2017

Journalist, author and speechwriter for Lyndon B. Johnson

Also attended: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Margaret Murdock 1942–

Sport shooter, 1976 Olympic silver medalist

Also attended: Kansas State University

Gary Woodland 1984–

Professional golfer, 2019 U.S. Open champion

Also attended: University of Kansas

Ken Berry 1941–

Former MLB center fielder, Chicago White Sox

Also attended: Wichita State University

Art Griggs 1884–1938

Major League Baseball player

Also attended: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Fred Phelps 1929–2014

Pastor of Westboro Baptist Church

Also attended: Pasadena City College

Child: Shirley Phelps-Roper (Washburn University)

Megan Phelps-Roper 1986–

Writer, activist and former Westboro Baptist Church member

Mother: Shirley Phelps-Roper (Washburn University)