Notable Alumni of East Carolina University

Linda McMahon 1948–

US Secretary of Education since 2025

Spouse: Vince McMahon (East Carolina University)

Child: Stephanie McMahon (Boston University, Robert Morris University)

Rashad Nabiyev 1977–

Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transportation

Attended until 2002

Donald G. Davis 1971–

U.S. representative for North Carolina's 1st district

Master of Arts · Class of 2001

Also attended: United States Air Force Academy, Central Michigan University

Robert Burren Morgan 1925–2016

Former US Senator from North Carolina

Jean R. Preston 1935–2013

North Carolina state legislator

Gary L. North 1954–

Retired Air Force general, former Pacific Air Forces commander

Also attended: Golden Gate University

Marc Basnight 1947–2020

North Carolina state senator

Christopher R. Barron 1973–

Political activist, cofounder of GOProud

Beth Wood 1954–

First woman Auditor of North Carolina

Also attended: Wayne Community College

Donald A. Bonner 1935–2021

North Carolina legislator and retired educator

Vince McMahon 1945–

Co-founder of WWE

Bachelor of Arts · Marketing · Class of 1968

Spouse: Linda McMahon (East Carolina University)

Child: Stephanie McMahon (Boston University, Robert Morris University)

Marnie Oursler

Home builder and television personality

Also attended: Duke University

James P. Delgado 1958–

Maritime archaeologist, historian and author

Laura Wright 1970–

English professor who proposed vegan studies

Also attended: University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Appalachian State University

Victoria C. Hollowell 1954–

Botanist

Sandra Bullock 1964–

Actress and film producer, Academy Award winner

Sibling: Gesine Bullock-Prado (Southwestern Law School, University of Virginia-Main Campus)

MrBeast 1998–

YouTuber, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Emily Procter 1968–

Actress known for The West Wing

Journalism, Dance

Kevin Williamson 1965–

Screenwriter of the Scream franchise

Carter Cruise 1991–

DJ, record producer and former adult film actress

Beth Grant 1949–

American character actress

Child: Mary Chieffo (The Juilliard School)

Kristen Dalton 1986–

Miss USA 2009, actress and model

Ali Hillis 1978–

Actress and video game voice actor

Mary Robinette Kowal 1969–

Hugo Award-winning author and puppeteer

Antti Jokinen 1968–

Finnish music video and film director

Nina Repeta 1967–

Actress known for Dawson's Creek

Nia Franklin 1993–

Miss America 2019 and composer

Philip DeFranco 1985–

YouTube personality and host of The Philip DeFranco Show

Also attended: University of South Florida-Main Campus, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Mary-Jean O'Doherty 1982–

Soprano, 2013 Paris Opera Awards first prize winner

Connie Ray 1956–

Actress and playwright

Phil Valentine 1959–2021

Conservative talk radio host and author

Father: Tim Valentine (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Citadel Military College of South Carolina)

Rick Atkinson 1952–

Military historian and former Washington Post journalist

Also attended: University of Chicago

Susan Owen 1958–

Operatic soprano and voice teacher

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Rachelle Friedman 1985–

Blogger paralyzed in 2010 bachelorette party accident

Newman Taylor Baker 1943–

Jazz drummer and washboard player

Master of Music Education · Class of 1969

Also attended: Virginia State University

Jason Latour 1977–

Comic artist and co-creator of Spider-Gwen

LaShawn Merritt 1986–

Sprinter and Olympic 400m champion

Also attended: Old Dominion University

Danielle Louise Moinet 1983–

Former WWE wrestler and model

Scott Dawson 1984–

AEW professional wrestler, one half of FTR

Also attended: University of North Carolina--Wilmington

Blue Edwards 1965–

Former NBA player with ten seasons

Also attended: Louisburg College

Lee McNeill 1964–2021

American track and field sprinter

Chris Johnson 1985–

Former NFL running back for the Tennessee Titans

Lyubomir Epitropov 1999–

Bulgarian swimmer

Also attended: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Jamar Abrams 1989–

Professional basketball player, played at East Carolina

Tristen Newton 2001–

Basketball player, 2023 and 2024 UConn national champion

Also attended: University of Connecticut

Elijah Hughes 1998–

Professional basketball player, played for Syracuse

Also attended: Syracuse University

Clyde Simms 1982–

Former MLS soccer player

Mike Wright 1990–

Former professional baseball pitcher

Grayson Murray 1993–2024

Professional golfer with two PGA Tour wins

Also attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Frank Robinson 1984–

Professional basketball player

C. J. Wilson 1987–

Former NFL defensive end

Javon Small 2002–

Memphis Grizzlies basketball player

Also attended: Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, West Virginia University

Shawn Armstrong 1990–

Professional baseball pitcher

Linval Joseph 1988–

NFL defensive tackle

John Fields 1988–

Professional basketball player who played for Tennessee

Also attended: University of North Carolina--Wilmington, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Brian Irvin 1970–

Retired sprinter and multiple-time All-American

Lex Gillette 1984–

Blind Paralympic long jumper

Jayda Hylton-Pelaia 1998–

Jamaica women's national football team defender

Steve O'Dwyer 1982–

Professional poker player

Ron Clark 1971–

Educator, author and motivational speaker

Carl Robert Brown 1930–1982

Teacher and mass murderer in 1982 Miami shooting

Also attended: University of Miami