List of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni


This is a list of notable alumni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Academia

University leaders

NameClassMajorNotability
Edwin Alderman1882Former president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tulane University and University of Virginia
William Brantley AycockGradLawFormer chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kemp P. Battle1848Former president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Erskine Bowles1967Business administrationFormer president of the University of North Carolina; former U.S. Senate candidate; former White House Chief of Staff; co-chair president of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
Mary Sue ColemanGrad.BiochemistryFormer president of the University of Michigan
James DanieleyGrad.Organic chemistryFormer president of Elon University
B.B. Dougherty1899PhilosophyCo-founder and first president of Appalachian State University
Adam Falk1987PhysicsPresident of Williams College
Elson S. Floyd1978 / Grad.Higher and adult educationFormer president of Washington State University
Porter Lee Fortune, Jr.1941 / Grad.HistoryFormer chancellor of the University of Mississippi
Julius Isaac Foust1890PhilosophyFormer president of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
William C. FridayGrad.LawFormer president of the University of North Carolina
Carol Garrison1974 / Grad.EpidemiologyFormer president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham
R. Barbara GitensteinGrad.EnglishCurrent president of The College of New Jersey
Edward Kidder Graham1898Former president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Frank Porter Graham1909Former president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and United States Senator from North Carolina
Gordon Gray1930Former president of the University of North Carolina, Secretary of the Army, and National Security Advisor
Michael Hooker1969PhilosophyFormer chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Charles Duncan McIver1881Founder of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Heather Monroe-BlumGrad.EpidemiologyFormer principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University
Robert Hall Morrison1818First president of Davidson College
Joseph S. MurphyGrad.Former president of Queens College and of Bennington College, and chancellor of the City University of New York
J. Michael OrtizGrad.EducationFormer president of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
William L. PollardGrad.Social workFormer president of Medgar Evers College and the University of the District of Columbia
Thomas RossGrad.LawFormer president of the University of North Carolina, former president of Davidson College
Terry Sanford1939 / Grad.LawFormer president of Duke University; Senator from and Governor of North Carolina
Albert Micajah Shipp1840Former president of Wofford College and Greensboro College
J. Carlyle Sitterson1931 / Grad.HistoryFormer chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Holden Thorp1986ChemistryFormer chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tony Waldrop1974 / Grad.Political science / physiologyPresident of the University of South Alabama; gold medalist, 1975 Pan American Games
George T. WinstonFormer president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Professors

NameClassMajorNotability
Dan ArielyGrad.Cognitive PsychologyProfessor of behavioral economics at Duke University
Valerie AshbyGrad.ChemistryDean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke University
Donald H. Baucom1971 / Grad.PsychologyProfessor of psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Volker BerghahnGrad.HistoryProfessor of history at Columbia University
Lewis Binford1954Arts & sciencesArchaeologist
Andrew C. BoyntonGrad.BusinessDean of Carroll School of Management at Boston College
Li CaiGrad.Statistics & Quantitative PsychologyProfessor of education and psychology at UCLA and director of the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
Dan T. CarterGrad.HistoryProfessor of history at the University of South Carolina
W. H. ClatworthyGrad.StatisticsProfessor of mathematics at the University at Buffalo
Albert Coates1918Arts & SciencesFounder and director of the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Robert Digges Wimberly Connor1899PhilosophyUNC professor, historian, and Archivist of the United States
Frederick A. de ArmasGrad.Comparative literatureProfessor in Spanish and comparative literature at the University of Chicago
Scott DeRue1999Business administrationCurrent dean of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan
David L. DownieGrad.Political scienceProfessor of politics and environment policy at Fairfield University
Carol Fowler DurhamGrad.NursingProfessor of nursing and medical simulation leader at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Charles Engel1977Economics and Political ScienceProfessor of economics at the University of Wisconsin
Christine Blasey Ford1988PsychologyProfessor of psychology at Palo Alto University and for testifying against Brett Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing
Glenda GilmoreGrad.HistoryProfessor of history at Yale University
Bud GoodallGrad.SpeechProfessor of communication at Arizona State University
William A. Graham1966Former dean of Harvard Divinity School
James HaarGrad.MusicologyW.R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Peter Blair Henry1991EconomicsDean of New York University Stern School of Business
Robert HobbsGrad.Art historyProfessor of art at Virginia Commonwealth University
C. Hugh HolmanGrad.EnglishProfessor of English and Provost at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
E. Philip HowreyGrad.EconomicsProfessor of economics at University of Michigan
Rafat HussainGrad.Public healthDeputy head of the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England
John D. Kasarda1971SociologyDirector, Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; developer of the aerotropolis concept
Jack Knight1974 / Grad.English & religious studies / lawProfessor at Duke University School of Law
E. Christian KopffGrad.ClassicsDirector of the Center for Western Civilization, and associate director of the honors program at the University of Colorado Boulder
Christina KramerGrad.Slavic languages and literatureProfessor of Slavic and Balkan languages at University of Toronto
Leo MoserGrad.MathematicsProfessor of mathematics at University of Alberta
Charles NamGrad.SociologyProfessor of sociology at Florida State University
Kai Nielsen1949Professor of philosophy at Concordia University
Arthur F. Raper1924 / Grad.SociologyProfessor at Agnes Scott College
Dwijendra Kumar Ray-ChaudhuriGrad.MathematicsProfessor of mathematics at Ohio State University
D. W. Robertson, Jr.1935 / Grad.EnglishProfessor of medieval English at Princeton University
GradFrench LiteratureAssociate Professor of the Practice in French at Duke University
Caryl RusbultGrad.PsychologyProfessor of psychology at Vrije Universiteit
Douglas A. Shackelford1980Dean of the UNC Kenan–Flagler Business School
Scott Silliman1965 / Grad.Philosophy / lawProfessor of the practice of law at Duke Law School
Susanne SreedharGrad.PhilosophyAssistant professor of philosophy at Boston University
Carol Miller SwainGrad.Political scienceProfessor of law at Vanderbilt Law School
William Y. ThompsonGrad.HistoryProfessor of history at Louisiana Tech University
Valerie TiberiusGrad.PhilosophyProfessor of philosophy at University of Minnesota
Greg TurkGrad.Computer scienceProfessor of computer science at Georgia Institute of Technology
Bruce WallerGrad.PhilosophyProfessor of philosophy at Youngstown State University
Odd Arne WestadGrad.HistoryProfessor of international history at the London School of Economics
Ross T. WhitakerGrad.Computer scienceDirector of the University of Utah School of Computing
Walter Lee Williams1974History and AnthropologyProfessor of anthropology, history, and gender studies at the University of Southern California. Former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive arrested for sexual acts with underage boys and possession of erotic paraphernalias related to child pornography.
C. Vann WoodwardGrad.HistorySterling Professor of History at Yale and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University, recipient of Pulitzer Prize for History

Arts and literature

Artists

NameClassMajorNotability
Richard Adler1943Dramatic artComposer and lyricist
Richard Kern1977ArtPhotographer
Howard LittleArtist
Ben Long1967Did not graduateArtist

Playwrights

NameClassMajorNotability
Paul Green1921Dramatic artPlaywright and Pulitzer Prize winner
Kermit HunterGrad.Dramatic art / EnglishPlaywright
Amon Liner1965Dramatic artPoet and playwright

Poets

NameClassMajorNotability
Edgar Bowers1950Poet
Hayden Carruth1943JournalismPoet and winner of the National Book Award
Cid CormanPoet and translator
Lawrence Ferlinghetti1941JournalismPoet and publisher
Kerri French2003EnglishPoet
Donald JusticeGrad.EnglishPoet
Amon Liner1965Dramatic artPoet and playwright
William MatthewsGrad.EnglishPoet
Michael McFee1976 / Grad.EnglishPoet
Michael Rothenberg1973EnglishPoet and editor

Writers

NameClassMajorNotability
Daphne Athas1943Arts & sciencesWriter
Russell Banks1967EnglishNovelist and poet
Brian BlanchfieldEssayist and poet
Will Blythe1979EnglishWriter and author
Taylor Branch1968Author and historian
Poppy Z. BriteNovelist
Don Brown1983Political scienceNovelist and author
Blake Crouch2000English, Creative WritingNovelist
Sarah Dessen1993EnglishWriter and author
Clyde Edgerton1966 / Grad.EnglishNovelist
L. M. ElliottGrad.JournalismYoung adult novelist
Thomas FlemingGrad.ClassicsWriter and founding editor of neo-confederate journal Southern Partisan
Shelby Foote1992HonoraryHistorian and novelist
Ben Fountain1980EnglishWriter and author
Charles Frazier1973Novelist
Kaye Gibbons1984Novelist
Gail Godwin1960JournalismNovelist
Jenny Han2002Writer
Randall Kenan1985EnglishWriter
Leah Konen2007JournalismNovelist
Armistead Maupin1966EnglishNovelist
Richard McKenna1956Arts & sciencesNovelist
Lydia Millet1990Interdisciplinary studiesNovelist
Joseph MitchellWriter for The New Yorker
Lawrence Naumoff1969Arts & sciencesNovelist
Jenny OffillNovelist
Mary Pope Osborne1971Religious studiesAuthor
Walker Percy1937Arts & sciencesNovelist
Charles F. PriceGrad.Urban planningNovelist
Melanie Sumner1986Religious studiesNovelist
Rysa WalkerGrad.Political scienceNovelist
Daniel Wallace2008EnglishNovelist and teacher
Brandon Wilson1973Theatre, radio, television & motion picturesAuthor and explorer
Thomas Wolfe1920Arts & sciencesNovelist

Other

NameClassMajorNotability
Brent GlassGrad.HistoryDirector of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Alexander Julian1969Fashion designer
Paul R. LairdGrad.MusicMusicologist
Claude McKinney1951painting and designchief contributor to the designof Research Triangle Park
Robert SpencerGrad.Religious studiesAuthor and blogger, known for critiques of Islam and research of Islamic terrorism and jihad
C. Vann WoodwardGrad.HistoryHistorian

Business

NameClassMajorNotability
John Allison1971Business administrationFormer CEO and president of Cato Institute; former chairman of BB&T Corporation/Branch Banking & Trust Co
Robert J. Bach1984EconomicsAmerican Business Executive; former President of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft
Eduardo Belmont AndersonBusiness administrationPeruvian billionaire, owner of Belcorp
Michele Buck1987Business administrationPresident and CEO of The Hershey Company
Julian Carr1860sIndustrialist; Carrboro, North Carolina named for him
Max C. Chapman1966EconomicsFormer president and CEO of Kidder, Peabody & Co
Warren Grice Elliott1867President of Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
David Gardner1988EnglishCo-founder of The Motley Fool
Peaches Golding1976BiologyHigh Sheriff of Bristol, England, 2010–11
Peter Grauer1968EnglishChairman of Bloomberg L.P.
Bowman Gray, Sr.1890Did not graduateFormer president and chairman of R.J. Reynolds
J. Frank Harrison III1977Business administrationCEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
William B. Harrison, Jr.1966EconomicsFormer CEO and chairman of JPMorgan Chase
George Watts Hill1922 / Grad.Commerce / lawBanker and philanthropist
John Sprunt Hill1889PhilosophyBanker and philanthropist
Walter E. Hussman, Jr.1969JournalismPublisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Richard "Dick" Jenrette1951Founder of the Wall Street firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and former chairman and CEO of The Equitable
William JohnsonGrad.LawPresident and CEO of Tennessee Valley Authority
Jason Kilar1993Journalism / business administrationIncoming CEO of WarnerMedia; former CEO of Hulu
Paul Kolton1944JournalismFormer chairman of the American Stock Exchange
Sallie Krawcheck1987JournalismCEO and co-founder, Ellevest; former Chairman and CEO of Citigroup Global Wealth Management; former CFO of Citigroup Inc.
Howard R. Levine1981Business administrationformer Chairman of the board and CEO of Family Dollar
Scott Livengood1974Industrial relationsOwner and CEO of Dewey's Bakers; former CEO of Krispy Kreme
Hugh McColl1957Business administrationFormer CEO of Bank of America
John Medlin1956Business administrationFormer CEO of Wachovia
Allen B. Morgan, Jr.1965HistoryFounder and former CEO of Morgan Keegan & Company
Gary Parr1979Business administrationVice chairman of Lazard
Mercer "Merce" Reynolds III1967Business administrationFinance chair of U.S. President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign and a U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Chuck Robbins1987Mathematical sciencesCEO of Cisco Systems
Julian Robertson1955Business administrationFounded the investment firm Tiger Management Corp.
William H. Rogers, Jr.Business administrationChairman and CEO of SunTrust Banks
Bill Ruger1940Did not graduateFounded firearms manufacturer Sturm, Ruger
Pete Rummell1967Chemistry / English literatureFormer Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney Imagineering and St. Joe Company
John Skipper1978English literatureExecutive chairman of Perform Group and former president of ESPN
Marcus G. SmithDid not graduateJournalismCEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Mitchell S. Steir1977EconomicsChairman and CEO of Studley, Inc.
Ken Thompson1973American studiesFormer chairman and CEO of Wachovia
Hubertus van der Vaart1977Politics / economicsCo-founder and chairman of SEAF
Thomas H. WeidemeyerSenior vice president and COO of the United Parcel Service; director of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
James M. Wells IIICEO of SunTrust Banks from 2007 to 2011

Entertainment and broadcasting

Actors

Broadcasters

NameClassMajorNotability
Andrew Ballen1995Political scienceTV personality, producer, A&R executive in Mainland China
Howie Carr1973JournalismRadio personality
Rick Dees1972Radio, television and motion pictureRadio personality and composer of novelty song "Disco Duck"
Barry Farber1952JournalismConservative radio talk show host
Ashlan Gorse2002JournalismE! television network personality
Kit Hoover1992SpeechTelevision personality
Bomani JonesGrad.EconomicsRadio and television personality
Chris MatthewsGrad.Did not graduateTelevision personality and speechwriter for President Carter
Wes Moss1998EconomicsContestant on The Apprentice 2
Elyse Ribbons2003Asian StudiesActress, writer and popular radio host on CRI
Rick Sebak1975EnglishWQED personality
David Venable1987Radio, television and motion pictureHost on QVC and cookbook author

Musicians

NameClassMajorNotability
Richard Adler1943Composer, lyricist, writer and producer ; Songwriters Hall of Fame; UNC Lifetime Achievement Award
Emanuel Ayvas2005Lead singer and guitarist for Emanuel and the Fear
Laura Ballance1990AnthropologyBassist in the rock band Superchunk and co-founder of Merge Records
Meg Christian1968MusicSinger and founder of lesbian record company, Olivia
Anoop Desai2008Political science / American studiesAmerican Idol 6th place finalist, singer
Lisa Furukawa1999Music / Asian studiesPianist, singer, and songwriter
George HamiltonCountry music singer
Wayne Handy1962Business administrationRockabilly singer
Brendan James2002CommunicationsSinger and songwriter
Kay Kyser1928EconomicsBandleader, radio personality, and movie actor
Lachi2005Economics, management and societyAlternative rock artist, author
Tift Merritt2000Singer
Oliver1967Radio, television and motion picturePop singer
David OlneyDid not graduateMusician
Chase Rice2009Country music singer and songwriter
Scott Routenberg2001Music and communicationsComposer
Rick Seibold2005Singer, songwriter, and producer
Bud Shank1947Musician

Writers, producers, directors

NameClassMajorNotability
Andy Griffith1949Dramatic artActor, comedian, writer, and producer
Brian Hargrove1977Dramatic artTV writer and producer
Jeffrey Hayden1948?Stage and TV director and writer. Director of Omnibus and episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Leave it to Beaver, Route 66, Mannix, etc.
Robert Klane1963Screenwriter, Where's Poppa? and Weekend at Bernie's
Josh Pate1992EnglishScreenwriter, director and producer
Larry Peerce1951Film and television director
Michael Piller1970Radio, television and motion pictureWriter and co-creator of ' and '
Peyton Reed1986Radio, television and motion pictureDirector of Bring It On, The Break-Up and Ant-Man
Hughes Winborne1975HistoryAcademy Award-winning film editor

Other

NameClassMajorNotability
Lewis Black1970Dramatic artComedian and playwright
Wyatt Cenac1994Did not graduateComedian and producer
Mamrie HartDramatic artComedian
Jeff MacNelly1969ArtThree-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Political Cartooning; creator of Shoe comic strip
James D. BissellGrad.TheaterAcademy Award Nominated Production Designer

Journalism

NameClassMajorNotability
Jones Angell2001JournalismSportscaster and voice of the Tar Heels
Dan Ashley1985English and Speech CommunicationTelevision news anchor, columnist, commentator
Brooke Baldwin2001Journalism and SpanishTelevision journalist and anchor for CNN
Jack Betts1968JournalismEditor and columnist for the Charlotte Observer
Furman Bisher1938JournalismSportswriter and editor
Marty Brennaman1965Radio, television and motion pictureSportscaster
David BrinkleyDid not graduateTelevision journalist
Pamela Ashley Brown2006JournalismTelevision journalist, CNN.
Frank Bruni1986EnglishRestaurant critic and op-ed columnist for The New York Times
Heather Childers1991EnglishOn-air personality for Fox News Channel
Helene Cooper1987JournalismNew York Times correspondent
Laurie Dhue1990Political scienceTV news anchor, reporter
Woody Durham1963Radio, television and motion pictureSportscaster and voice of the Tar Heels
Joseph Egemonye1970JournalismJournalist; co-founder of the Winston-Salem Chronicle
Samuel T. FrancisGrad.HistorySyndicated conservative columnist
Peter Gammons1967Sportswriter and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Gail Gregg1975JournalismArtist, photographer and journalist
Carl Kasell1956NPR newscaster
Charles Kuralt1965Radio, television and motion pictureJournalist
Jim Lampley1971EnglishSportscaster
Tristan Louis1993JournalismAuthor, journalist, and entrepreneur
Monica Malpass1983JournalismNews anchor and reporter for WPVI
John ManuelAuthor; editor-in-chief of Baseball America
Philip MeyerGrad.Political scienceJournalist and professor of journalism
Mick Mixon1980Radio, television and motion pictureSportscaster and voice of the Carolina Panthers
Roger MuddGrad.HistoryJournalist and broadcaster
Rob Nelson2000JournalismTelevision journalist
Karen L. Parker1965JournalismFirst African-American female undergraduate; journalist for the Winston-Salem Journal
Sophie Pyle2009JournalismNew media entrepreneur
Don Robertson1950CommunicationSportscaster
Robert Ruark1935JournalismSyndicated columnist and author
Reed Sarratt1937JournalismExecutive Director of the Southern Education Reporting Service and the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association
Stuart Scott1987Radio, television and motion pictureSportscaster
Lloyd Shearer1936EnglishAuthor of "Walter Scott's Personality Parade" column in Parade
James Surowiecki1988HistoryJournalist for The New Yorker; author of The Wisdom of Crowds
David SwerdlickGrad.LawJournalist for Washington Post
Kayla Tausche2008JournalismReporter for CNBC
Ami Vitale1994International studiesPhotographer and journalist
Tom Wicker1948JournalismAuthor and New York Times journalist
Cleve Wootson2005JournalismWashington Post journalist
Perry Deane Young1993JournalismJournalist and author

Pulitzer Prize winners

NameClassMajorNotability
Joel Brinkley1975JournalismPulitzer Prize winner for International Reporting
W. Horace Carter1949JournalismPulitzer Prize winner for public service, owner and publisher of the Tabor City Tribune
Lenoir Chambers1914Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing; editor of The Virginian-Pilot
Sarah Cohen1979EconomicsPulitzer Prize winner for investigative reporting
Nikole Hannah-JonesGrad.JournalismPulitzer Prize winner for commentary
Jeff MacNellyThree-time Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial cartoons
Gene Roberts1954JournalismPulitzer Prize–winning author; former executive editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer; former managing editor of The New York Times; professor of journalism at the University of Maryland
Vermont C. Royster1935JournalismPulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing; former editor of The Wall Street Journal
Emily Steel2005JournalismPulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter
Jim Yardley1986HistoryPulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter
Jonathan Yardley1961EnglishAuthor and Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic for The Washington Post
Edwin Yoder1956EnglishPulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing

Politics and public life

President of the United States

NameClassMajorNotability
James K. Polk1818 / Grad.11th President of the United States

Vice President of the United States

NameClassMajorNotability
William R. King180313th Vice President of the United States

Governors

NameClassMajorNotability
Charles B. Aycock1880Oratory and essay writingFormer governor of North Carolina and leader of the 1898 Wilmington Coup
John Branch1801Arts & sciencesFormer governor of and U.S. Senator from North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy
Aaron V. Brown1814Former governor of and U.S. Representative from Tennessee; Postmaster General
Tod Robinson Caldwell184019th-century governor of North Carolina
Gaston Caperton1963Business administrationFormer governor of West Virginia
Elias Carr185919th-century governor of North Carolina
Henry Toole Clark1826 / Grad.19th-century governor of North Carolina
Roy Cooper1979 / Grad.Psychology and political science / lawCurrent Governor of North Carolina and former North Carolina Attorney General
Steve Cowper1960 / Grad.History / lawFormer governor of Alaska
Locke Craig1880Former governor of North Carolina
Mike Easley1972Political scienceFormer governor of North Carolina
John C. B. Ehringhaus1902Former governor of North Carolina
John Willis Ellis184119th-century governor of North Carolina
Oliver Max GardnerGrad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
William Alexander Graham1824 / Grad.19th-century US Senator and governor of North Carolina; Secretary of the Navy; Vice-Presidential Candidate; CSA Senator
Luther H. Hodges1919Former governor of North Carolina
Clyde R. HoeyGrad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
James HolshouserGrad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
Thomas Michael HoltDid not graduate19th-century governor of North Carolina
Jim HuntGrad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
William Walton KitchinGrad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
Charles Manly181419th-century governor of North Carolina
Angus Wilton McLean1892 / Grad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina
William MillerDid not graduate19th-century governor of North Carolina
Dan K. Moore1927 / Grad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina, former justice of N.C. Supreme Court
John Motley Morehead181719th-century governor of North Carolina
William Dunn Moseley1818Arts & sciencesFirst governor of the State of Florida
John OwenDid not graduateFormer governor of North Carolina
Daniel Lindsay RussellDid not graduate19th-century governor of North Carolina
Terry Sanford1939 / Grad.LawFormer senator from and governor of North Carolina; president of Duke University
Alfred Moore ScalesDid not graduate19th-century governor of North Carolina
Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr.181519th-century governor of North Carolina, governor of Florida, and U.S. representative from North Carolina
David Lowry SwainDid not graduate19th-century governor of North Carolina
John SwainsonGrad.LawFormer governor of Michigan
William B. Umstead1916Former governor of North Carolina, U.S. representative from North Carolina
Zebulon Baird VanceFormer governor of North Carolina
Warren Winslow19th-century governor of North Carolina; U.S. representative from North Carolina

U.S. Senators

NameClassMajorNotability
Thomas Hart BentonDid not graduateFormer senator from Missouri
John Branch1801Former governor of and U.S. senator from North Carolina; Secretary of the Navy
Thomas Lanier Clingman1832Former U.S. senator and U.S. representative from North Carolina
John EatonGrad.Senator from Tennessee and Secretary of War
John EdwardsGrad.LawFormer U.S. Senator from North Carolina; 2004 Democratic candidate for vice president; 2004 and 2008 Democratic primary candidate for presidential nomination
Samuel James Ervin Jr.1917Former senator from North Carolina
William Alexander Graham1824 / Grad.19th-century US senator and governor of North Carolina; Secretary of the Navy; vice-presidential candidate, and CSA Senator
William Henry Haywood, Jr.1819 / Grad.Former senator from North Carolina
Willie Person Mangum1815 / Grad.Former senator from North Carolina
Alfred O. P. Nicholson1827Former senator from Tennessee
John Pool1847Former senator from North Carolina
Terry Sanford1939 / Grad.LawFormer senator from and governor of North Carolina; president of Duke University
William R. Webb1867 / Grad.Former senator from Tennessee
Paul Wellstone1965 / Grad.Political scienceFormer senator from Minnesota

U.S. Representatives

NameClassMajorNotability
Charles Laban AbernethyGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Hugh Quincy AlexanderGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Sydenham Benoni Alexander1860U.S. representative from North Carolina
Ike Franklin Andrews1950 / Grad.Business / lawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Thomas Samuel Ashe1832U.S. representative from North Carolina
Cass Ballenger1948U.S. representative from North Carolina
Michael D. Barnes1965U.S. representative from Maryland
Daniel Moreau Barringer1826U.S. representative from North Carolina
James Jefferson BrittGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Robin Britt1963 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Aaron V. Brown1814Former U.S. representative from and governor of Tennessee; Postmaster General
Jim Broyhill1950Business administrationU.S. representative from North Carolina
Alfred L. BulwinkleGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Frank Ertel CarlyleU.S. representative from North Carolina
Henry Selby Clark1828U.S. representative from North Carolina
J. Bayard ClarkLawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Thomas Lanier Clingman1832U.S. representative from North Carolina
Howard CobleGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Jim Cooper1975History & economicsU.S. representative from Tennessee
Francis Burton Craige1829 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
William C. Cramer1946U.S. representative from Florida
William T. CrawfordGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
John Reeves Jones Daniel1821 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Susan DavisGrad.Social workU.S. representative from California
James C. Dobbin1832U.S. representative from North Carolina and Secretary of the Navy
Richard Spaight Donnell1839U.S. representative from North Carolina
Joseph Wilson Ervin1921U.S. representative from North Carolina
Samuel James Ervin Jr.1917U.S. representative and senator from North Carolina
Alonzo Dillard Folger1912 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
John Hamlin FolgerGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Daniel Munroe Forney1808U.S. representative from North Carolina
Lawrence H. Fountain1934 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Virginia Foxx1968 / Grad.English / educationU.S. representative from North Carolina elected in 2004
Hannibal Lafayette GodwinGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Gwen Graham1984U.S. representative from Florida
James Graham1814U.S. representative from North Carolina
V. Lamar Gudger1940 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
William C. HammerGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Micajah Thomas Hawkins1807U.S. representative from North Carolina
David N. HendersonGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
John S. Henderson1865LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
John Hill1816U.S. representative from North Carolina
Charles R. Jonas1925 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Ben JonesDid not graduateFormer U.S. representative from Georgia and actor
Hamilton C. Jones1906LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
William Carter Love1806Former U.S. representative from North Carolina
Allard Lowenstein1949Former U.S. representative from New York
Willie Person Mangum1815 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
John Y. Mason1816Former U.S. representative from Virginia; United States Attorney General; Secretary of the Navy
Mike McIntyre1978 / Grad.Political science / lawFormer U.S. representative from North Carolina
Alex McMillan1954HistoryFormer U.S. representative from North Carolina
Brad Miller1975Former U.S. representative from North Carolina
Anderson Mitchell1821 / Grad.Former U.S. representative from North Carolina
James Turner Morehead1819U.S. representative from North Carolina
Mick MulvaneyGradLawU.S. representative from South Carolina
William H. MurfreeU.S. representative from North Carolina
David Outlaw1824U.S. representative from North Carolina
Ebenezer PettigrewU.S. representative from North Carolina
David Price1961Arts & sciencesU.S. representative from North Carolina
George M. Pritchard1907U.S. representative from North Carolina
Abraham Rencher1822 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Sion Hart Rogers1846 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Charlie RoseGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Thomas Hart RuffinU.S. representative from North Carolina
Romulus Mitchell SaundersU.S. representative from North Carolina
Samuel Tredwell SawyerU.S. representative from North Carolina
Charles Biddle ShepardU.S. representative from North Carolina
William Crawford SherrodU.S. representative from Alabama
Francis Edwin Shober1851 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Richard Dobbs Spaight Jr181519th-century governor of North Carolina; governor of Florida; U.S. representative from North Carolina
Charles Manly Stedman1861 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Walter Leak Steele1844 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Jacob Thompson1831U.S. representative from Mississippi; Secretary of the Interior
William B. Umstead1916Former governor of North Carolina; U.S. representative from North Carolina
Tim ValentineGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Alfred Moore WaddellU.S. representative from North Carolina
Hallett Sydney WardGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Lindsay Carter Warren1906 / Grad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Mel Watt1967Business AdministrationFormer U.S. representative from North Carolina
Zebulon WeaverGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Edwin Y. WebbGrad.LawU.S. representative from North Carolina
Lewis Williams1808 / Grad.U.S. representative from North Carolina
Warren Winslow182719th-century governor of and U.S. representative from North Carolina
Bartlett YanceyU.S. representative from North Carolina

U.S. cabinet members and other executive officers

NameClassMajorNotability
Claude Allen1982Political scienceDirector of the Domestic Policy Council for the George W. Bush administration
Melody Barnes1986HistoryDirector of the Domestic Policy Council for the Obama administration
James Crawford Biggs1893 / Grad.Philosophy / lawFormer Solicitor General of the United States
John Branch1801Former governor of and U.S. Senator from North Carolina; Secretary of the Navy
Jonathan W. Daniels1921 / Grad.Former White House Press Secretary
James C. Dobbin1832U.S. representative from North Carolina and Secretary of the Navy
John EatonGrad.Senator from Tennessee and Secretary of War
William Alexander Graham1824 / Grad.19th-century US senator and governor of North Carolina; Secretary of the Navy; vice-presidential candidate, and CSA Senator
C. Boyden GrayGrad.LawFormer White House counsel; former ambassador to the EU
Gordon Gray1930Secretary of the Army; National Security Advisor; president of the University of North Carolina
Kevin Martin1989Political ScienceFormer chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
John Y. Mason1816Former United States Attorney General and Secretary of the Navy
H. R. McMasterGrad.HistoryNational Security Advisor in the Trump administration
Colin R. McMillan1957GeologyFormer assistant Secretary of the Navy; nominee for Secretary of Defense
Kenneth Claiborne Royall1914Former Secretary of War and Secretary of the Army
Jacob Thompson1831U.S. representative from Mississippi; Secretary of the Interior

Federal judges

NameClassMajorNotability
Lance M. Africk1973 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
James A. Beaty, Jr.Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
J. Spencer BellGrad.LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Frank William Bullock, Jr.1961 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
Algernon Lee ButlerJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Eric L. Clay1969LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Robert Hardy ClelandGrad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Max O. Cogburn, Jr.1973Political scienceJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Robert P. Dick1843 / Grad.Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Franklin Taylor Dupree Jr.1933 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
James Carroll Fox1950 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Donnell Gilliam1909 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Leo M. Gordon1973Judge of the United States Court of International Trade
Peter W. Hall1971 / Grad.English / educationJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
David Ezekiel Henderson1904Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Karen L. HendersonGrad.LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Truman McGill Hobbs1942Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
Algenon L. Marbley1976Political scienceJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
John Young Mason1816Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Harold Brent McKnight1974 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
James Bryan McMillan1937Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
James Ward Morris1912Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
William Lindsay Osteen, Jr.1983 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
William Lindsay Osteen, Sr.Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
John J. Parker1907 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
James Dickson Phillips, Jr.Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
S. Jay Plager1952Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Martin Karl Reidinger1981 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
David B. Sentelle1965 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Thomas Settle1850Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
William Bostwick Sheppard1881Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Lacy Thornburg1952 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Richard Lesley VoorheesGrad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Wilson Warlick1911 / Grad.LawJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
David Dortch Warriner1951Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Frank DeArmon WhitneyGrad.Law / businessJudge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
James A. Wynn, Jr.1975JournalismJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Law

NameClassMajorNotability
Thomas Samuel Ashe1832Former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; U.S. representative from North Carolina
M.V. BarnhillGrad.lawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
William Horn BattleFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
William H. BobbittFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Peter Carlisle1974PsychologyMayor of Honolulu; former Prosecuting Attorney of Honolulu
J. Phil CarltonGrad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Walter Clark1864Former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Joseph J. DavisGrad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; U.S. representative from North Carolina
Walter E. Dellinger III1963Political scienceFormer United States Solicitor General
William A. DevinGrad.LawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Robert P. Dick1843Former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Robert H. Edmunds, Jr.Grad.LawCurrent justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
James G. Exum1957Former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Stormie Forte1993 / Grad.sociology, psychologyLawyer, First black woman and first openly LGBTQ woman to serve on the Raleigh City Council
Franklin FreemanGrad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Henry E. FryeGrad.LawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; first African American chief justice
Robin E. HudsonGrad.LawCurrent justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Robert N. Hunter, Jr.1969 / Grad.History / lawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
J. Frank Huskins1930 / Grad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Barbara Jackson1984 / Grad.Interdisciplinary studies / lawJustice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
James F. Lawrence Jr.1941First Marine Corps lawyer to be promoted to brigadier general, Navy Cross recipient
Matthias Evans Manly1824Former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Steve Marshall1987American studiesCurrent Attorney General of Alabama
Mark MartinGrad.LawCurrent chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
John Y. Mason1816Former United States Attorney General and Secretary of the Navy
Burley MitchellGrad.LawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Dan K. Moore1927 / Grad.LawFormer governor of North Carolina, former justice of N.C. Supreme Court
Paul Martin NewbyGrad.LawCurrent justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Mike Nifong1978LawDistrict attorney for Durham County, North Carolina; disbarred for his handling of the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case
Robert F. Orr1968 / Grad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Susan OwensGrad.LawCurrent justice of the Washington Supreme Court
Sarah ParkerGrad.LawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
William B. Rodman1836Former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Aaron A. F. Seawell1884Former justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Susie SharpGrad.LawFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, first female chief justice
James E. ShepherdFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Reggie Shuford1991LawExecutive Director, ACLU of Pennsylvania
Clive Stafford SmithLawyer; founder of Reprieve
Walter P. Stacy1908Former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Patricia Timmons-Goodson1976 / Grad.Speech / lawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Earl W. Vaughn1950 / Grad.LawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, former chief justice of the North Carolina Court of Appeals
John WebbFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Willis Whichard1962 / Grad.History / lawFormer justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
J. Wallace WinborneFormer chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court

Religious leaders

NameClassMajorNotability
Clifton Daniel III1969EducationEpiscopal bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania; former bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina
Thomas F. Davis1822Episcopal bishop of South Carolina
Sam Dixon1971Political scienceHead of the United Methodist Committee on Relief
William Mercer Green1818Episcopal bishop of Mississippi
Reid Larkin NeilsonGradReligious historyManaging director church history The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
James Hervey Otey1820 / GradFirst Episcopal bishop of Tennessee
Lon Solomon1971ChemistryMegachurch evangelist; former member of President's Committee on Intellectual Disabilities
John Shelby Spong1952Arts & sciencesEpiscopal bishop and progressive theologian
Ruth Carter StapletonEvangelist, sister of Jimmy Carter
G. Porter Taylor1972EnglishEpiscopal bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina
Charles G. vonRosenberg1969Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee
Ben Witherington III1974EnglishUnited Methodist Church minister and New Testament scholar

Other

NameClassMajorNotability
James H. "Jim" Brown1963Political scienceFormer Louisiana state senator; secretary of state; insurance commissioner; father of journalist Campbell Brown
Garry ConilleGrad.Public healthFormer Prime Minister of Haiti
Walter H. Dalton1971 / Grad.LawFormer Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
Charles Dean1972executed in Laos-
Elizabeth Edwards1971 / Grad.English / LawAttorney, author and wife of John Edwards
Thad A. Eure1921LawNorth Carolina Secretary of State
Patricia Horoho1982NursingSurgeon General of the United States Army
Jonathan HowesGradCity & regional planningFormer Mayor of Chapel Hill; Former secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Rashad Hussain1999Philosophy / political scienceUnited States special envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
John Brennan Hussey1955Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana
Karl Inderfurth1968Political scienceFormer Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs; former U.S. representative for special political affairs to the United Nations
Perrin JonesMember of the North Carolina House of Representatives
Jim JordanGrad.LawPolitical consultant
Moushira KhattabGrad.International relationsEgyptian politician and diplomat
Thomas KrajeskiGrad.Russian literatureU.S. Ambassador to Bahrain; former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen
Howard Nathaniel LeeGrad.Social workChairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education
Mary J. MillerGrad.City and regional planningAssistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Markets
Paul V. NolanGrad.Two year medical programMember Tennessee General Assembly, 1969-1970
Erica Payne1991Radio, television and motion pictureFounder of the Agenda Project
Thomas J. Pearsall1927LawSpeaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1947
Otto Reich1966International studiesFormer ambassador to Venezuela
Matt Sherman1994 / Grad.History/LawLongest serving U.S. government official to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Robert SpragueGrad.BusinessMember of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ivy TaylorGrad.City and regional planningMayor of San Antonio
Don Vaughan1974former member of the North Carolina State Senate
Shari Villarosa1972International studiesCurrent ambassador to Mauritius and to the Seychelles
Richard Vinroot1963 / Grad.Business / lawMayor of Charlotte
Daniel WerfelGrad.LawActing commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service

Sciences

NameClassMajorNotability
Eben Alexander III1975ChemistryNeurosurgeon and author
Richard BohannonGrad.Physical TherapyPhysiotherapist, author, and professor
Francis CollinsGrad.MedicineDirector of National Human Genome Project; director of National Institutes of Health
Kizzmekia CorbettGrad.Microbiology and ImmunologyViral immunologist at the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
Robert F. Furchgott1937ChemistryChemist; Nobel Prize winner in 1998
Seymour GeisserGrad.StatisticsStatistician and DNA evidence expert
Ma Haide1932Pre-medicineDoctor and public health official in China
Nancy HaigwoodGrad.HIV/AIDS researcher; director of the Oregon National Primate Research Center
Howard T. Odum1947ZoologyEcosystem ecologist
Tamara SherGrad.PsychologyNIH researcher and IIT professor
Kevin R. StoneGrad.MedicineOrthopedic surgeon
Charles TartGrad.PsychologyPsychologist
Thomas A. WaddenGrad.PsychologyClinical psychologist and educator

Sports

Baseball

NameClassMajorNotability
Dustin AckleyProfessional baseball player
Russ AdamsProfessional baseball player
Daniel Bard2006Professional baseball player
Mike Fox1978Physical educationCollege baseball coach
Moonlight GrahamProfessional baseball player
Adam GreenbergProfessional baseball player
Matt HarveyProfessional baseball player
Gary HillProfessional baseball player
Chris IannettaProfessional baseball player
Michael Jordan1986GeographyFormer professional baseball and basketball player; member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Mark Kingston1995CommunicationsProfessional baseball player, college baseball coach
Andrew MillerProfessional baseball player
Mike MorinProfessional baseball player
R. C. OrlanProfessional baseball player
Brian RobertsTransferred to USCProfessional baseball player
Kyle SeagerProfessional baseball player
Paul ShueyProfessional baseball player
Kyle SnyderProfessional baseball player
B.J. SurhoffFormer professional baseball player
Walt WeissFormer professional baseball player
Brad WoodallProfessional baseball player

Basketball players

NameClassMajorNotability
Harrison BarnesBusiness administrationProfessional basketball player
Dudley Bradley1979Recreation administrationProfessional basketball player
Joel Berry2018exercise & sport scienceprofessional basketball player
Pete Brennan1958Industrial relationsProfessional basketball player
Larry Brown1963HistoryCollege and professional basketball coach; member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Tony BradleyProfessional basketball player
Steve Bucknall1989Radio, television and motion pictureProfessional basketball player and coach
Reggie BullockProfessional basketball player
Vince Carter2001African-American studiesProfessional basketball player
Pete Chilcutt1991Industrial relations / psychologyProfessional basketball player
Ed CotaProfessional basketball player
Sylvia Crawley1994Radio, television and motion pictureProfessional basketball player
Billy Cunningham1971HistoryProfessional basketball player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Brad Daugherty1986Radio, television and motion pictureFormer professional basketball player and sportscaster
Ed DavisProfessional basketball player
Hubert Davis1992Criminal justiceProfessional basketball player
Walter Davis1988Recreation administrationProfessional basketball player
John Dillon1948Professional basketball player
Wayne EllingtonProfessional basketball player
Darrell Elston1974HistoryProfessional basketball player
Cecil Exum1984Professional basketball player
Jalek FeltonAttended; Later withdrewProfessional basketball player
Raymond FeltonProfessional basketball player
Phil Ford1978Business administrationProfessional basketball player
Joseph ForteProfessional basketball player
Rick Fox1994Radio, television and motion pictureProfessional basketball player and actor
George GlamackProfessional basketball player
Danny Green2009CommunicationsProfessional basketball player
Tyler Hansbrough2009CommunicationsProfessional basketball player
Brendan Haywood2001CommunicationsProfessional basketball player
PJ HairstonProfessional basketball player
Cameron JohnsonProfessional basketball player
John HensonProfessional basketball player
Antawn JamisonProfessional basketball player
Brice Johnson2016Excerise & Sport ScienceProfessional basketball player
Justin JacksonProfessional basketball player
Bobby Jones1974PsychologyProfessional basketball player
Marion JonesProfessional basketball player; former track and field athlete
Michael Jordan1986GeographyFormer professional baseball and basketball player; member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
George KarlProfessional basketball player and coach
Tommy Kearns1958HistoryProfessional basketball player
Mitch Kupchak1976Political science / psychologyProfessional basketball player and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers
York Larese1961SociologyProfessional basketball player and coach
Ivory Latta2007Exercise / sports scienceProfessional basketball player
Ty LawsonProfessional basketball player
Nassir LittleProfessional basketball player
George Lynch1993African studiesProfessional basketball player
Luke Maye2019Business AdministrationProfessional basketball player
Sean May2009African-American studiesProfessional basketball player
Bob McAdooProfessional basketball player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
James Michael McAdooprofessional basketball player
Rashad McCantsProfessional basketball player
Rashanda McCants2009Professional basketball player
Jeff McInnisProfessional basketball player
Horace McKinney1948Professional basketball player and coach, college coach
Larry Miller1968Business administrationProfessional basketball player
Kendall Marshallprofessional basketball player
Doug MoeProfessional basketball player and coach
Eric Montross1994Professional basketball player
David Noel2006African-American studiesProfessional basketball player
Mike O'Koren1980Professional basketball player
Ademola Okulaja1999International studiesProfessional basketball player
Theo Pinson2018communication studiesprofessional basketball player
Sam Perkins1984Radio, television and motion pictureProfessional basketball player
Dave Popson1987GeographyProfessional basketball player
J.R. Reid1992Radio, television and motion pictureProfessional basketball player
Henrik Rödl1993BiologyProfessional basketball player and coach
Lennie Rosenbluth1957Professional basketball player
Clifford RozierProfessional basketball player
Tierra Ruffin-PrattProfessional basketball player
Charlie ScottProfessional basketball player
Lee Shaffer1960Business administrationProfessional basketball player
Charlotte Smith1999SociologyProfessional basketball player
Kenny SmithProfessional basketball player and basketball analyst
Jerry Stackhouse1999African-American studiesProfessional basketball player
Coby WhiteProfessional basketball player
Rasheed WallaceProfessional basketball player
Marvin Williams2014African-American studiesProfessional basketball player
Scott WilliamsProfessional basketball player
Shammond WilliamsProfessional basketball player
Joe Wolf1987Industrial relationsProfessional basketball player
Al Wood1988Recreation administrationProfessional basketball player
James Worthy1985Recreation administrationProfessional basketball player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Brandan WrightProfessional basketball player
Tyler Zeller2012Business administrationProfessional basketball player
Marcus Paige2016Journalism/HistoryProfessional basketball player
Kennedy Meeks2017Communication StudiesProfessional basketball player
Isaiah Hicks2017Exercise & sport scienceProfessional basketball player
J.P. TokotoProfessional basketball player
Dexter Stricklandprofessional basketball player
Leslie McDonaldprofessional basketball player

Basketball coaches

NameClassMajorNotability
Larry Brown1963HistoryCollege and professional basketball coach; member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Jason Capel2002CommunicationsCollege basketball coach
Scott Cherry1993Business administrationCollege basketball coach
Billy Cunningham1971HistoryProfessional basketball coach and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Matt Doherty1984Business administrationCollege basketball coach
Eddie Fogler1970 / Grad.Mathematics / physical educationCollege basketball coach
George KarlProfessional basketball player and coach
John Kuester1977HealthProfessional and college coach
Jeff Lebo1990Business administrationCollege basketball coach
Monk McDonald1923 / Grad.MedicineCollege basketball player and coach
Wes Miller2007Political scienceCollege basketball coach
Doug MoeProfessional basketball player and coach
Mike O'Koren1980Recreation administrationProfessional basketball player and coach
Buzz Peterson1986GeographyCollege basketball coach
King Rice1992Radio, television and motion pictureCollege basketball coach
Henrik Rödl1993BiologyProfessional basketball player and coach
Tony Shaver1976 / Grad.Business administration / educationCollege basketball coach
Roy Williams1972 / Grad.EducationCollege basketball coach; member of the Basketball Hall of Fame

Football players

NameClassMajorNotability
Sam AikenProfessional football player
Ethan AlbrightProfessional football player
Frank AschenbrennerProfessional football player
Matthew BakerProfessional football player
Connor Barth2007Communications studiesProfessional football player
Harris BartonFinanceProfessional football player
Giovani BernardProfessional football player
Dré BlyProfessional football player
Brian BollingerProfessional football player
Omar BrownProfessional football player
Jonathan CooperProfessional football player
Quinton CoplesProfessional football player
Alge CrumplerProfessional football player
Ronald CurryProfessional football player
Paul DavisProfessional football player
Dave DrechslerProfessional football player
Darian DurantProfessional football player
Greg EllisProfessional football player
Brooks Foster2008Management & societyProfessional football player
Jeff HayesProfessional football player
William HendersonProfessional football player
Nate Hobgood-ChittickProfessional football player
Jesse HolleyProfessional football player
Mack HollinsProfessional football player
James HurstProfessional football player
Charlie JusticeProfessional football player and member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Kivuusama MaysProfessional football player
Don McCauleyProfessional football player and member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Tom McCauleyProfessional football player
Natrone MeansProfessional football player
Hakeem NicksProfessional football player, New York Giants
Willie ParkerProfessional football player
Julius PeppersProfessional football player
Jeff ReedProfessional football player
Dexter ReidProfessional football player
Jeff SaturdayProfessional football player
Brian SimmonsProfessional football player
Dave SimmonsProfessional football player
Lawrence TaylorProfessional football player and member of the Football Hall of Fame
Mitchell Trubiskyprofessional football player
David ThorntonProfessional football player
Art WeinerCollege Football Hall of Fame
Brennan WilliamsProfessional football player
T. J. YatesProfessional football player

Football coaches

NameClassMajorNotability
Charlie BaggettCollege and professional football coach
Rod BroadwayCollege football coach
Scot DappGrad.Physical educationCollege football coach
Jim Tatum1939Business administrationCollege football coach
Kevin Wilson1984 / Grad.Mathematics / physical educationCollege football coach

Golfers

NameClassMajorNotability
Donna Andrews1989Business administrationProfessional golfer
Raymond FloydProfessional golfer
Meaghan Francella2005CommunicationsProfessional golfer
Casey GriceProfessional golfer
Cathy JohnstonProfessional golfer
Davis Love IIIProfessional golfer
Ashley PrangeProfessional golfer
Harvie Ward1951EconomicsAmateur golfer
Mark Wilson1997MathematicsProfessional golfer

Soccer

NameClassMajorNotability
Ryan Adeleye2008Israeli-American professional soccer player
Yael Averbuch2008PsychologyU.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Gregg BerhalterProfessional soccer player
Chris CarrieriProfessional soccer player
Lori Chalupny2006U.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Matt Crawford2003BiologyProfessional soccer player
Crystal Dunn2013SociologyU.S Women's National Team soccer player
Whitney Engen2010U.S Women's National Team soccer player
Lorrie FairU.S Women's National Team soccer player
Michael FarfanProfessional soccer player
Robyn Gayle2008Canada Women's National Team soccer player
Jordan Graye2010Professional soccer player
Mia Hamm1993Political scienceU.S Women's National Team soccer player
Ashlyn Harris2009CommunicationsU.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Tobin Heath2010CommunicationsU.S. Women's National Team soccer player
April Heinrichs1986Radio, television and motion pictureU.S Women's National Team soccer player
Meghan Klingenberg2011U.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Chris LeitchProfessional soccer player
Eric LichajProfessional soccer player
Kristine Lilly1992U.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Allie Long2009U.S. Women's National Team Soccer player
Kealia Ohai2013Professional soccer player
Heather O'Reilly2006U.S. Women's National Team soccer player
Cindy Parlow ConeU.S. Women's National Team soccer player; soccer coach
Logan Pause2007EconomicsProfessional soccer player
Eddie PopeProfessional soccer player
Eddie RobinsonProfessional soccer player
David Stokes2009CommunicationsProfessional soccer player
Carey TalleyProfessional soccer player
Lindsay Tarpley2005U.S. Women's National Team soccer player
David Testo2009Management & societyProfessional soccer player
Nikki Washington2011CommunicationsProfessional soccer player
Cat Whitehill2003United States Women's National Team soccer player
Sheanon WilliamsProfessional soccer player
Kerry Zavagnin2000Exercise & sports scienceProfessional soccer player

Sports administrators

NameClassMajorNotability
James Delany1970 / Grad.Political science / lawCommissioner of the Big Ten
Rick Hart1994Physical education, health and sport scienceAthletic Director at Southern Methodist University
Mike Hill1990Athletic Director at UNC Charlotte
Mitch Kupchak1976Political science / psychologyProfessional basketball player and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers
Ryan McDonough2002JournalismGeneral manager of the Phoenix Suns
Danny MorrisonGrad.Education administration & supervisionPresident of the Carolina Panthers
John Swofford1971PsychologyCommissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Norwood Teague1988Political scienceFormer athletic director at the University of Minnesota
Malcolm TurnerBusinessAthletic Director at Vanderbilt University
Travis Tygart1993PhilosophyCEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency
Donnie Walsh1962 / Grad.Political science / lawFormer president of New York Knicks, former CEO of Indiana Pacers

Track and field

NameClassMajorNotability
Jim BeattyFirst person to run a four-minute mile indoors
LaTasha Colander1998CommunicationsFormer track and field athlete
Dominic Demeritte1999EconomicsFormer track and field athlete
Vikas Gowda2006Gold medalist 2014 Commonwealth Games in discus throw
Allen JohnsonFormer track and field athlete
Marion JonesFormer track and field athlete and professional basketball player
Earl OwensProfessional runner and triathlete
Alice Schmidt2004Middle distance runner
Ola Sesay2001Long jumper
Tony Waldrop1974 / Grad.Political science / physiologyGold medalist, 1975 Pan American Games in the 1500 meter; president of the University of South Alabama
Samuel Bryan2010Steeplechase

Other sports

NameClassMajorNotability
Rachel Dawson2007Field hockey
Katelyn Falgowski2011Field hockey
Shalane Flanagan2004Distance runner
John Friedberg1984Olympic fencer; NCAA champion
Rob Koll1989SpeechCollege wrestling coach
Jamie LoebSports administrationNCAA singles champion; Professional tennis player
Sanaz Marand2010PsychologyProfessional tennis player
Richie Meade1976 / Grad.College lacrosse coach
Nick MonroeProfessional tennis player
Bill RoyGrad.U.S. Olympic and world champion skeet shooter; professor of English at United States Air Force Academy
Vic Seixas1949Tennis player, International Tennis Hall of Fame
Amy Swensen2002Field hockey
Peter Warfield1971Rugby player; England national team
Cindy WerleyU.S. Olympic field hockey player

Miscellaneous

NameClassMajorNotability
Robert D. AtkinsonGrad.City and regional planningPresident of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Rye Barcott2001Peace, war, and defenseFounder of Carolina for Kibera
Caleb Bradham1890Pharmacist and inventor of Pepsi-Cola
Charles E. Brady, Jr.1971Pre-medicineAstronaut
Eve Carson2008Biology and political scienceStudent Body President; murdered in 2008
Hinton James1798Arts & sciences
Jerry M. LinengerGrad.Public healthAstronaut
Julia Compton Moore1950Wife of Hal Moore
Charles Moose1975HistoryFormer police chief of Montgomery County, Maryland; investigated Beltway snipers in 2002
Johnston Pettigrew1847Arts & sciencesConfederate General in the American Civil War who participated in Pickett's Charge
Jonathan ReckfordPolitical scienceCEO of Habitat for Humanity International
Hunter Scott2007Economics / physicsResearcher on history of
William E. Thornton1952 / Grad.Physics / medicine
George D. Webster1940 / Grad.Arts & sciencesBrigadier general in the Marine Corps