Notable Alumni of Minnesota State University-Mankato

Tim Walz 1964–

41st Governor of Minnesota

Master of Science · Educational leadership · Class of 2001

Also attended: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Chadron State College

Spouse: Gwen Walz (Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota State University-Mankato)

Alfred Bitini Xuma 1893–1962

Former president of the African National Congress

Also attended: Northwestern University

Spouse: Madie Hall Xuma (Columbia University in the City of New York, Teachers College at Columbia University)

Gwen Walz 1966–

First Lady of Minnesota and educator

Also attended: Gustavus Adolphus College

Spouse: Tim Walz (Minnesota State University-Mankato, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota)

John M. Zwach 1907–1990

Minnesota politician, farmer and teacher

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Jessica Benham 1990–

Pennsylvania state representative and disability rights activist

Master's degree · Communication studies

Also attended: Bethel University, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Richard C. Nash 1950–

30th Adjutant General of Minnesota

Mohamed Aden Tiiceey 1972–

Somali politician, founder of Himan and Heeb state

Glen Taylor 1941–

Billionaire founder of Taylor Corporation

Also attended: Harvard University

Ray Oldenburg 1932–2022

Urban sociologist who coined "third place"

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1954

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Julia Sears 1840–1929

Suffragist, first woman to head a US public college

Billie Joe Armstrong 1972–

Lead vocalist and guitarist of Green Day

Melissa Peterman 1971–

Actress and host, known for Reba

Cedric Yarbrough 1973–

Actor and comedian in Reno 911!

Bonya Ahmed 1969–

Bangladeshi-American writer, blogger and activist

Chad Brownlee 1984–

Canadian country singer and former ice hockey player

David Backes 1984–

Former NHL ice hockey forward

Teodors Bļugers 1994–

Latvian NHL ice hockey centre

Ryan Carter 1983–

Former NHL ice hockey forward

Assem Marei 1992–

Egyptian professional basketball player

Tyler Pitlick 1991–

NHL forward for the Minnesota Wild

Emilia Ramboldt 1988–

Swedish ice hockey defenceman, three-time Olympian

Connor Mackey 1996–

American professional ice hockey defenseman

Tim Jackman 1981–

Former professional ice hockey player

Shirley Ardell Mason 1923–1998

Art teacher reported as the subject of Sybil

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York