Notable Alumni of Virginia State University

Lucy McBath 1960–

U.S. Representative from Georgia

Bachelor's degree · Political science · Class of 1982

Lashrecse Aird 1986–

Virginia state senator

Also attended: George Mason University

Charles R. Hamilton

Former commander of US Army Materiel Command

Also attended: Central Michigan University

Flora D. Crittenden 1924–2021

Civil rights activist and Newport News councilwoman

Jennifer Carroll Foy 1981–

Virginia state senator and former delegate

Also attended: Virginia Military Institute

Delores G. Kelley 1936–

Former Maryland state senator

Also attended: New York University, Purdue University-Main Campus

Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo

Ghanaian entrepreneur, founder of Allure Africa

Also attended: Harvard University

Gladys West 1930–2026

Mathematician whose work contributed to GPS

Master of Mathematics · Class of 1955

Also attended: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Christine Darden 1942–

NASA aeronautical engineer researching supersonic flight

Master of Science · Applied mathematics · Class of 1967

Also attended: George Washington University, Simmons University, Hampton University

Mary Elliott Hill 1907–1969

One of the earliest African-American women chemists

Also attended: University of Pennsylvania

Herman Branson 1914–1995

Physicist known for α protein structure research

Also attended: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

James Avery 1945–2013

Actor known as Philip Banks in Fresh Prince

Also attended: University of California-San Diego

2 Chainz 1977–

Rapper, songwriter and actor

Also attended: Alabama State University

Wale 1984–

Rapper

Also attended: Bowie State University, Robert Morris University

Billy Taylor 1921–2010

Jazz pianist, composer and educator

Also attended: University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Camilla Williams 1919–2012

Operatic soprano, first African American contracted by NYC Opera

Lauren Koslow 1953–

Actress known for Days of Our Lives

Also attended: University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Gaye Adegbalola 1944–

Blues singer, guitarist and activist

Master of Education · Class of 1978

Also attended: Boston University

Newman Taylor Baker 1943–

Jazz drummer and washboard player

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1965

Also attended: East Carolina University

Regenia A. Perry 1941–

Art historian, first African American guest curator at the Met

Also attended: University of Pennsylvania

Clay Rapada 1981–

Former MLB relief pitcher

Al Bumbry 1947–

MLB outfielder, 1973 AL Rookie of the Year

Avis Wyatt 1984–

Retired basketball player, power forward and center

Deshauna Barber 1989–

Miss USA 2016 and Army Reserve captain

Also attended: University of Maryland Global Campus