Notable Alumni of Principia College

Chris Shays 1945–

Former US Representative from Connecticut

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1968

Also attended: New York University

Jocelyn Burdick 1922–2019

First woman US senator from North Dakota

Also attended: Northwestern University

Spouse: Quentin Burdick (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of North Dakota)

Egil Krogh 1939–2020

Nixon administration official imprisoned over Watergate

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: University of Washington-Seattle Campus

John H. Rousselot 1927–2003

U.S. Representative from California

Bruce Jacob 1935–

Former Florida assistant attorney general in Gideon v. Wainwright

Also attended: Florida State University, University of Florida, Stetson University

Sara Nelson 1973–

International president of Association of Flight Attendants

Joe Fitzgibbon 1986–

Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives

Arend Lijphart 1936–

Political scientist and professor emeritus at UC San Diego

Also attended: Yale University

Robert Duvall 1931–2026

Actor and director

Attended until 1953

Also attended: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

Peter Horton 1953–

Actor and director of Thirtysomething fame

Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Santa Barbara

Spouse: Michelle Pfeiffer (Golden West College)

Terry Melcher 1942–2004

Record producer who produced the Byrds' first albums

Ketti Frings 1909–1981

Playwright and screenwriter, 1958 Pulitzer Prize winner

Candy Crowley 1946–

Former CNN chief political correspondent

Also attended: Randolph College

Chandler Burr 1963–

Journalist, author and museum curator

David Rowland 1924–2010

Industrial designer who invented the 40/4 Chair

Stephanie Trick 1987–

Stride, ragtime and jazz pianist

Also attended: University of Chicago

Emily Fridlund 1979–

Author of the novel History of Wolves

Also attended: University of Southern California, Washington University in St Louis

Joy Osmanski 1975–

Actress in Samantha Who? and Devious Maids

Also attended: University of California-San Diego

Ann Dunnigan 1909–1997

Translator of Russian literature, actress and teacher

Larry Groce 1948–

Singer-songwriter and Mountain Stage radio host

Ron Charles 1962–

Former Washington Post book critic

Garner Tullis 1939–2019

Painter and sculptor

Also attended: University of Pennsylvania

Mindy Jostyn 1956–2005

Singer and multi-instrumentalist

Ngozi Mwanamwambwa 1971–

Zambian sprinter who competed at the 1992 Olympics

Spouse: Tommy Asinga (Eastern Michigan University)