Notable Alumni of Sam Houston State University

Thaksin Shinawatra 1949–

Former Prime Minister of Thailand and businessman

Master of Philosophy

Also attended: Eastern Kentucky University

Spouse: Potjaman Na Pombejra (Eastern Kentucky University)

Sibling: Yingluck Shinawatra (Kentucky State University)

Charlie Wilson 1933–2010

Texas congressman who backed Operation Cyclone

Also attended: United States Naval Academy

Ralph Yarborough 1903–1996

U.S. senator from Texas

Also attended: The United States Military Academy at West Point, The University of Texas at Austin

Marcus Luttrell 1975–

Retired Navy SEAL and Navy Cross recipient

Sibling: Morgan Luttrell (Sam Houston State University, The University of Texas at Dallas)

William F. Garrison 1944–

Retired major general who commanded Operation Gothic Serpent

Also attended: University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Morgan Luttrell 1975–

U.S. Representative from Texas

Bachelor of Science · Class of 2000

Also attended: The University of Texas at Dallas

Sibling: Marcus Luttrell (Sam Houston State University)

Hammed Ali 1955–

Retired Nigerian army officer and customs chief

Lindley Beckworth 1913–1984

U.S. representative from Texas and customs court judge

Also attended: Abilene Christian University, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University

Lyda Green 1938–2023

Republican Alaska state senator

Also attended: University of Alaska Anchorage

Richard Linklater 1960–

Film director and screenwriter

Also attended: Austin Community College District

Dana Andrews 1909–1992

Film actor and film noir star

Sibling: Steve Forrest (University of California-Los Angeles)

Dan Rather 1931–

Veteran broadcast journalist and former news anchor

Also attended: South Texas College of Law Houston

Roger Creager 1971–

Texas country singer and songwriter

Also attended: Texas A & M University-College Station

Katie Rose Clarke 1984–

Musical theater actress

Billy Gunn 1963–

Professional wrestler

Josh McCown 1979–

Former NFL quarterback and Vikings coach

Frank Gates 1920–1978

Professional basketball player in the NBL and NBA

Michael Holyfield 1992–

American professional basketball player

Sibling: T. J. Holyfield (Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas Tech University)

Tyler Eppler 1993–

Professional baseball pitcher

Sahaja Yamalapalli 2000–

Indian tennis player

Ryan Tepera 1987–

Former MLB pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays

Zach Neal 1988–

Former professional baseball pitcher

Also attended: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Ryan O'Hearn 1993–

MLB first baseman and right fielder

Abby Johnson 1980–

Anti-abortion activist and author

Also attended: Texas A & M University-College Station