Notable Alumni of University of Connecticut

Tansu Çiller 1946–

First female prime minister of Turkey

Economics

Also attended: Yale University, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, Mount Ida College

Chris Murphy 1973–

US senator from Connecticut

Juris Doctor · Class of 2002

Also attended: Williams College

John Fetterman 1969–

US senator from Pennsylvania, former lieutenant governor

Master of Business Administration · Class of 1993

Also attended: Harvard University, Albright College

Nangolo Mbumba 1941–

Former President of Namibia

Also attended: Southern Connecticut State University

Sam Webb 1945–

Former chairman of the Communist Party USA

Joe Courtney 1953–

U.S. representative from Connecticut

Juris Doctor · Class of 1978

Also attended: Tufts University

Brett H. McGurk 1973–

Diplomat, Biden's Middle East National Security coordinator

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Emilio Daddario 1918–2010

Former U.S. congressman from Connecticut

Also attended: Wesleyan University

Edward M. Kennedy Jr. 1961–

Lawyer and politician

Juris Doctor · Class of 1997

Also attended: Wesleyan University, Yale University

Father: Ted Kennedy (Harvard University, University of Virginia-Main Campus)

Mother: Joan Bennett Kennedy (Lesley University, Manhattanville University)

Gladys Kokorwe 1947–2026

Former Speaker of Botswana's National Assembly

David Lee 1931–

Physicist, 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics laureate

Also attended: Yale University, Harvard University

Franklin Chang-Díaz 1950–

Former NASA astronaut and physicist

Mechanical engineering · Attended until 1973

Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Richard Mastracchio 1960–

NASA astronaut who flew three Space Shuttle missions

Also attended: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Houston--Clear Lake

Massimo Pigliucci 1964–

Philosopher and biologist, professor at CCNY

Also attended: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Kevin B. MacDonald 1944–

Retired evolutionary psychology professor at CSULB

Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy · Biology, Behavioral sciences · Class of 1981

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ruth Lyttle Satter 1923–1989

Botanist known for circadian leaf movement work

Also attended: Barnard College

Sibling: Joan Birman (Barnard College, New York University)

Lynne E. Maquat 1952–

Biochemist known for nonsense-mediated decay work

Bachelor of Arts · Biology · Class of 1974

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Theodore Millon 1928–2014

Psychologist known for work on personality disorders

Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1952

Also attended: CUNY--City College

David Grimaldi 1957–

Entomologist and curator at American Museum of Natural History

Also attended: Cornell University, Binghamton University

Nkechi Agwu 1962–

Mathematician and historian of mathematics

Master's degree · Class of 1989

Also attended: Syracuse University

Benjamin Hsiao 1958–

Materials scientist, former Stony Brook research vice president

Meg Ryan 1961–

Actress known for romantic comedies

Also attended: New York University

Spouse: Dennis Quaid (University of Houston)

Child: Jack Quaid (New York University)

Tony Todd 1954–2024

Actor, title character in Candyman films

Paige Turco 1965–

Actress known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Also attended: Bay Path University

Austin Stowell 1984–

Actor in Bridge of Spies and Whiplash

Bachelor of Fine Arts · Class of 2007

Bobby Moynihan 1977–

American comedian and actor

Robert D. Kaplan 1952–

Author on foreign affairs and travel

Elizabeth Bear 1971–

Science fiction author and multiple Hugo Award winner

Ann Beattie 1947–

Novelist and short story writer

Master of Arts · English-language literature · Class of 1970

Also attended: American University

Spouse: David Gates (University of Connecticut)

Michael Bergin 1969–

Actor and former model

Ron Palillo 1949–2012

Actor best known as Horshack on Welcome Back, Kotter

Also attended: Fairfield University

Jack Sonni 1954–2023

Guitarist of Dire Straits

Leslie Silva 1968–

Actress in Odyssey 5, Providence and Shades of Blue

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Justin Foley 1976–

Drummer of metalcore band Killswitch Engage

Also attended: University of Hartford

Kim Zolciak-Biermann 1978–

TV personality from The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Spouse: Kroy Biermann (The University of Montana)

Michelle Lombardo 1983–

Model and actress in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues

Patricia MacLachlan 1938–2022

Children's writer, 1986 Newbery Medal winner

Ray Allen 1975–

Former professional basketball player

Cyle Larin 1995–

Canadian national team soccer forward

Diana Taurasi 1982–

Former WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury

Sue Bird 1980–

Former WNBA player for the Seattle Storm

Attended until 2002

Richard Hamilton 1978–

Former NBA player, 2004 champion with Pistons

Emeka Okafor 1982–

Former NBA player, 2004 national champion at UConn

Kemba Walker 1990–

Former NBA player and Charlotte Hornets coach

Rudy Gay 1986–

Former professional basketball player

Ben Gordon 1983–

Former NBA player for Bulls and Pistons

Caron Butler 1980–

Former NBA player, Miami Heat assistant coach

Hasheem Thabeet 1987–

Tanzanian basketball player, 2009 NBA No. 2 pick

Andre Drummond 1993–

NBA center, ninth pick in the 2012 draft

Breanna Stewart 1994–

WNBA player for the New York Liberty

Attended until 2016

Tina Charles 1988–

Basketball player, first overall pick in 2010 WNBA draft

Maya Moore 1989–

Former pro basketball player and social justice advocate

Charlie Villanueva 1984–

Former NBA player for the Bucks, Pistons and others

Stephanie Labbé 1986–

Canadian goalkeeper, 2020 Olympic gold medalist

Shabazz Napier 1991–

Basketball player, 24th pick in 2014 NBA draft

Paige Bueckers 2001–

Basketball player for the Dallas Wings

Bachelor's degree · Class of 2025

Svetlana Abrosimova 1980–

Russian women's basketball player

Swin Cash 1979–

Hall of Fame WNBA basketball player

Spouse: Steve Canal (Fordham University)

Andre Blake 1990–

Jamaican goalkeeper and national team captain

Rebecca Lobo 1973–

Former WNBA center and basketball analyst

Attended until 1995

Spouse: Steve Rushin (Marquette University)

Kaitlyn Chen 2002–

Basketball player for WNBA's Golden State Valkyries

Also attended: Princeton University

Fatima Jibrell 1947–

Somali-American environmental activist