Notable Alumni of The University of Texas at El Paso

Susana Martinez 1959–

31st governor of New Mexico

Also attended: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Veronica Escobar 1969–

U.S. Representative from Texas

Also attended: New York University

Silvestre Reyes 1944–

Former U.S. Representative and House Intelligence Committee chairman

Attended until 1966

Also attended: El Paso Community College, The University of Texas at Austin

Ron Coleman 1941–

Former U.S. representative from Texas

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1963

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Richard Crawford White 1923–1998

Democratic US Representative from Texas

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Idris Haron 1966–

10th Chief Minister of Melaka, Malaysia

Paul Moreno 1932–2017

Texas state representative from El Paso

John Cook 1946–

Former mayor of El Paso, Texas

Yosef Maiman 1946–2021

Israeli businessman, founder of Merhav Group

Also attended: Cornell University

John Danny Olivas 1966–

Former NASA astronaut, two space shuttle missions

Mechanics · Attended until 1989

Also attended: University of Houston, Rice University

Edith Eger 1927–2026

Psychologist, Holocaust survivor and author of The Choice

Lauren Esposito 1982–

Arachnologist, co-founder of 500 Queer Scientists

Martha E. Bernal 1931–2001

Clinical psychologist and professor

Also attended: Indiana University-Bloomington, Syracuse University

F. Murray Abraham 1939–

Actor; Academy Award and Golden Globe winner

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Susan Blakely 1948–

Actress known for Rich Man, Poor Man

Also attended: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

Alana de la Garza 1976–

Actress known for Law & Order

Ana Alicia 1956–

Actress known for Falcon Crest

Also attended: Wellesley College, Southwestern University

Benjamin Alire Sáenz 1954–2026

Poet, novelist and children's book writer

Also attended: University of Iowa, Stanford University

John Rechy 1931–

Mexican-American novelist and essayist

Jack Handey 1949–

Humorist known for Deep Thoughts on Saturday Night Live

Ara Celi 1974–

Actress in American film and television

Rubén Salazar 1928–1970

Los Angeles Times reporter and civil rights activist

Also attended: East Los Angeles College

Sam Donaldson 1934–

Retired television reporter and news anchor

Also attended: New Mexico Military Institute

Adrián Terrazas-González 1975–

Mexican multi-instrumentalist and composer

tatiana de la tierra 1961–2012

Colombian-American writer and LGBTQ activist

Also attended: University of Florida, University at Buffalo

Bob Schneider 1965–

Austin musician, former Ugly Americans lead singer

Robert Stevenson 1916–2012

Musicologist and composer

Also attended: Yale University, Harvard University, Princeton Theological Seminary

Pat Mora 1942–

Poet and children's writer

Joe Reisman 1924–1987

Swing-era saxophonist, bandleader and arranger

Also attended: Baylor University

Karla Martínez 1976–

Mexican television presenter

Juan Pablo Plata Figueroa 1982–

Colombian writer and journalist

Bob Beamon 1946–

Track athlete, 1968 Olympic long jump world record

Also attended: Adelphi University, North Carolina A&T State University

Tobi Amusan 1997–

Nigerian 100m hurdles athlete

Blessing Okagbare 1988–

Nigerian sprinter and Olympic long jump medallist

Tim Hardaway 1966–

Former professional basketball player

Child: Tim Hardaway Jr. (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

Emmanuel Korir 1995–

Kenyan 800m Olympic and world champion

Nate Archibald 1948–

Former NBA player with the Kings and Celtics

Also attended: Arizona Western College, Fordham University

Churandy Martina 1984–

Dutch sprinter

Obadele Thompson 1976–

Barbadian sprinter, 2000 Olympic 100m bronze medalist

Spouse: Marion Jones (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Oludamola Osayomi 1986–

Nigerian sprinter, 2008 Olympic relay silver medalist

Halimat Ismaila 1984–

Nigerian sprinter, 2008 Olympic relay bronze medalist

Bert Cameron 1959–

Jamaican sprinter, three-time Olympian

Antonio Davis 1968–

Former NBA player for Pacers, Raptors, Bulls, Knicks

Jim Barnes 1941–2002

Olympic gold medalist, No. 1 pick of 1964 NBA draft

Also attended: Cameron University

Keith Connor 1957–

British triple jumper and Olympian

Also attended: Southern Methodist University

Aaron Egbele 1979–

Nigerian sprinter, 2004 Olympic relay bronze medalist

Suleiman Nyambui 1953–

Tanzanian runner, 1980 Olympic 5000m silver medalist

Charmaine Crooks 1962–

Canadian sprinter and sports executive

Kelly Parker 1981–

Canadian women's soccer midfielder

Greg Joy 1956–

Canadian high jumper

Olapade Adeniken 1969–

Nigerian sprinter who competed at three Olympics

James Forbes 1952–2022

Member of the 1972 Olympic US basketball team

Tanga Loa 1983–

Professional wrestler in NJPW and WWE

Blackjack Mulligan 1942–2016

Professional wrestler and American football player

Héctor Guerrero 1954–

Mexican professional wrestler

Sibling: Mando Guerrero (University of Texas--El Paso)

Sibling: Eddie Guerrero (New Mexico Highlands University, University of New Mexico-Main Campus)

Mando Guerrero 1952–

Retired Mexican American professional wrestler

Sibling: Eddie Guerrero (New Mexico Highlands University, University of New Mexico-Main Campus)

Sibling: Héctor Guerrero (University of Texas--El Paso)

Persephone 2001–

Professional wrestler signed to CMLL and AEW

John Corcoran 1939–

Author and founder of the John Corcoran foundation