Notable Alumni of Drake University

Terry Branstad 1946–

Former Iowa governor and US ambassador to China

Also attended: University of Iowa

Chet Culver 1966–

41st Governor of Iowa

Also attended: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Father: John Culver (Harvard University)

Carol Hanisch 1942–

Radical feminist activist and writer

Licentiate · Journalist

Robert D. Ray 1928–2018

38th Governor of Iowa

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts · Law, Business science · Class of 1954

Abby Finkenauer 1988–

Former US representative from Iowa and global youth envoy

Bachelor of Arts · Public relations · Class of 2011

Neal Edward Smith 1920–2021

Iowa congressman, served in the House 1959–1995

Also attended: University of Missouri-Columbia

Jim Nussle 1960–

Former U.S. representative and credit union association CEO

Also attended: Luther College

David Young 1968–

Iowa legislator and former U.S. Representative

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1991

Zach Nunn 1979–

US representative for Iowa's 3rd district

Guy Gillette 1879–1973

US senator from Iowa and lawyer

Attended until 1900

Merwin Coad 1924–2025

Former U.S. Representative from Iowa

Also attended: Peru State College, Texas Christian University

Robert D. Blue 1898–1989

30th governor of Iowa

Also attended: Iowa State University

Darrell R. Lindsey 1919–1944

WWII bomber pilot, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient

Also attended: Buena Vista University

Adam Gregg 1983–

Former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

Also attended: Central College

Joe Crail 1877–1938

Former U.S. Representative from California

Also attended: University of Iowa

Hugh Wade 1901–1995

First secretary of state of Alaska

Also attended: University of Iowa

Russell C. Davis 1938–

Air Force lieutenant general, ex-National Guard chief

Also attended: Harvard University, University of Nebraska--Omaha

George Cohon 1937–2023

Founder of McDonald's Canada and McDonald's Russia

Also attended: Northwestern University

Fred L. Turner 1933–2013

Former chairman and CEO of McDonald's

Seth Barnes Nicholson 1891–1963

Astronomer who discovered moons of Jupiter

J. Howard Moore 1862–1916

Zoologist, philosopher and animal ethics writer

Also attended: University of Chicago

Thomas H. Kunz 1938–2020

Biologist specializing in the study of bats

Also attended: University of Kansas, University of Central Missouri

Bill Bryson 1951–

Author of travel, language and science books

Ira Levin 1929–2007

Novelist and playwright, author of Rosemary's Baby

Also attended: New York University

Michael Emerson 1954–

Actor known for Lost and Person of Interest

Spouse: Carrie Preston (University of Evansville, The Juilliard School)

Jeremy Piven 1965–

Actor best known as Ari Gold in Entourage

Also attended: New York University

Mother: Joyce Piven (University of Chicago)

Sibling: Adam McKay (The Pennsylvania State University, Temple University)

Steve Allen 1921–2000

Television host, comedian, musician and actor

Also attended: Arizona State University-Tempe

Susan Glaspell 1876–1948

Playwright and Provincetown Players co-founder

Also attended: University of Chicago

Spouse: George Cram Cook (Harvard University)

Carol Morris 1936–

Miss Universe 1956

Julee Cruise 1956–2022

Singer and actress who worked with David Lynch

John August 1970–

Screenwriter of Big Fish and Charlie's Angels

Also attended: University of Southern California

Sam Wanamaker 1919–1993

Actor and director who worked mainly in the UK

Sherrill Milnes 1935–

Dramatic baritone of the Metropolitan Opera

Also attended: North Central College, Northwestern University

Syleena Johnson 1976–

R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress

Also attended: Illinois State University

Matthew Stover 1962–

Fantasy and science fiction novelist

Roger Williams 1924–2011

Pianist known for Autumn Leaves

Also attended: Idaho State University, The Juilliard School

Mark Doty 1953–

Poet, 2008 National Book Award for Poetry winner

Also attended: Goddard College

Mark DeCarlo 1962–

Actor and television host

Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles

Rose Bampton 1908–2007

Opera soprano

Also attended: Curtis Institute of Music

Jim Uhls 1957–

Screenwriter of Fight Club

Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles

Steve Bannos 1960–

Actor and writer

Goli Taraqqi 1939–

Iranian novelist and short story writer

Bridget Flanery 1970–

Actress and screenplay writer

Also attended: Yale University

Zach Johnson 1976–

Pro golfer, 2007 Masters and 2015 Open champion

Ezra Hendrickson 1972–

Vincentian football coach, former Chicago Fire head coach

Willie Wise 1947–

ABA All-Time Team basketball player

Kevin Little 1968–

Sprinter, 1997 World Indoor 200m champion

Bob Netolicky 1942–

ABA power forward and center

Wayne Kreklow 1957–

Former basketball player on the 1981 NBA champion Celtics

Dani Tyler 1974–

Softball player and Olympic champion

Dennis Bell 1951–

Former professional basketball player

Also attended: Gulf Coast State College

Rayvonte Rice 1992–

American professional basketball guard

Liam Robbins 1999–

Professional basketball player in the NBA G League

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Donald Pettie 1927–2017

Canadian sprinter at the 1948 Olympics

Dominik Olejniczak 1996–

Polish professional basketball player

Also attended: Florida State University

McCoy McLemore 1942–2009

Former NBA basketball player

Richard Stearns 1927–2022

Sailor and Olympic medalist

Jeff Halliburton 1949–

Former NBA basketball player

Lewis Lloyd 1959–2019

Basketball player for the Houston Rockets

Also attended: New Mexico Military Institute

Willie McCarter 1946–2023

Former basketball player and coach

Also attended: University of Detroit Mercy