24 notable alumni

Notable Alumni of University of Central Missouri

Notable alumni of University of Central Missouri include David Cook (Rock singer-songwriter, American Idol season 7 winner), Carry Nation (Temperance activist known for hatchet attacks on taverns) and Vicky Hartzler (Former US Representative from Missouri).

College data and admissions

Alumni list

Politics and law

Vicky Hartzler 1960–

Former US Representative from Missouri

Master of Science · Class of 1992

Also attended: University of Missouri-Columbia
Gerd Leers 1951–

Dutch CDA politician and former minister
Glen D. VanHerck 1962–

Retired Air Force general, former NORTHCOM commander

Master of Science

Also attended: University of Missouri-Columbia
Pat Ward 1957–2012

Iowa state senator
Tim Van Zandt 1963–

First openly gay member of Missouri General Assembly

Business

James O. McKinsey 1889–1937

Founder of McKinsey & Company

Also attended: University of Arkansas, Saint Louis University

Science and academia

Thomas H. Kunz 1938–2020

Biologist specializing in the study of bats

Also attended: Drake University, University of Kansas

Arts and media

David Cook 1982–

Rock singer-songwriter, American Idol season 7 winner
Kiersten Warren 1965–

Former actress known for Desperate Housewives

Also attended: Simpson College

Spouse: Kirk Acevedo (SUNY at Purchase College)

Child: Misti Traya (Sarah Lawrence College)
Tolga Çevik 1974–

Turkish actor
Brian Thomas Smith 1977–

Actor and comedian, Zack in The Big Bang Theory
Allan Kayser 1963–

Film and television actor
Grant Curtis 1972–

Film producer of the Spider-Man films
David Holsinger 1945–

Composer and conductor for concert band

Also attended: University of Kansas, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sports

Chuck Palumbo 1971–

Retired pro wrestler formerly of WCW and WWE
Erika Kinsey 1988–

Swedish high jumper, 2007 European Junior Champion
Michael Hicks 1983–

Basketball player who represented Poland at Olympics
Butch Reed 1954–2021

Professional wrestler and football player
Katie Sowers 1986–

First female coach in Super Bowl history

Also attended: Hesston College
Sean Bentivoglio 1985–

Canadian-Italian ice hockey forward
Don Martin 1920–1997

Professional basketball player
Josh Outman 1984–

Former MLB pitcher, played for the Athletics

Other fields

Carry Nation 1846–1911

Temperance activist known for hatchet attacks on taverns
Jeffrey Lundgren 1950–2006

Cult leader and mass murderer

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

Alumni network

Colleges that share the most alumni with University of Central Missouri (people who attended both).