180+ notable achievers who attended the University of Arizona
Arizona Daily Star
From renowned actors to Olympic athletes and even the director of the recent blockbuster horror movie "Scream VI," we're looking back at some notable people who have ties to the U of A.
Know anyone on the list and have a story to tell? Email eds@tucson.com or leave a comment.
Linda Ronstadt
This Sept. 17, 2013 photo shows American musician Linda Ronstadt posing in New York to promote the release of her memoir "Simple Dreams." (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
Amy Sussman
Began at UA in: 1965
Why she's famous: Arts — music
Notable accomplishment: Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. She has also earned 11 Grammy Awards during her career.
In July 2014, Obama presented Ronstadt with one of 12 2013 National Medals of Arts and Humanities.
One of Ronstadt's most well-known albums is "Heart Like a Wheel," released in 1974.
Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie, Amphitheater High School and UA grad and “Today” show host, born Dec. 27, 1971.
Charles Sykes / Invision
Graduated from UA in: 1993
Why she's famous: Journalism — TV personality
Notable accomplishment: Guthrie is known for her role as a co-anchor on the TV news show "Today."
Greg Kinnear
Actor Greg Kinnear participates in a press conference for "The Matador" during the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 15, 2005 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Evan Agostini
Graduated from UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Kinnear is known for his roles in "Little Miss Sunshine," "As Good As It Gets" and "You've Got Mail."
Richard Carmona
FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2008, file photo, former Surgeon General Richard Carmona speaks during a news conference in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck, file)
Harry Cabluck
Graduated from UA in: 1998 — Master's degree in public health
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Surgeon General
Notable accomplishment: Carmona served as the 17th Surgeon General of the U.S. from 2002-06.
Linda McCartney
FILE--Paul and Linda McCartney perform during a Wings show in London in this Oct. 1976 file photo. (AP Photo/J. Glanvill)
J. Glanvill
Began at UA in: 1961
Why she's famous: Arts — music, photography
Notable accomplishment: McCartney was married to Paul McCartney of the Beatles.
McCartney's portrait of Eric Clapton appeared on the cover of the May 1968 edition of the Rolling Stone magazine, making her the first woman ever to have one of her photographs appear on the front cover of the magazine.
Six years later, McCartney appeared on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine with her husband, Paul McCartney. This made her the only person to have one of her photographs featured on the front cover, as well as have a photograph of her be featured on the front cover.
Rob Gronkowski
NFL player Rob Gronkowski.
AP
Left UA in: 2010
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Gronkowski, or "Gronk," set the NFL records for most touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season and most receiving yards by a tight end in a season, both in 2011.
In 2021, he set a Guinness World record for "highest altitude catch of an American football" at Arizona Stadium.
Former Wildcat Rob Gronkowski set the Guinness record for the highest altitude catch of an American football at the University of Arizona Friday. Video courtesy University of Arizona Athletics.
Courtesy University of Arizona Athletics
Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera is shown in a November, 1988 file photo. Rivera taped the 2,163rd and last episode of his daytime talk show May 7, 1998, giving it up as part of his agreement to take on a larger role at NBC News. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Mark Lennihan
Graduated from UA in: 1965
Why he's famous: Arts — film; Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Rivera was the host of the TV talk-show "Geraldo."
John Hughes
FILE - This 1984 file photo shows director John Hughes. Hughes is the man who wrote "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Mr. Mom" and "Natonal Lampoon's European Vacation." He also wrote and directed "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," and "Weird Science." Hughes, who was 59, died in New York on Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
Began at UA in: 1968
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Hughes wrote and directed classic films such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles." He also wrote many more films such as "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."
Abdi Abdirahman
Abdi Abdirahman celebrates after finishing third in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. Phillip
Graduated from UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — running
Notable accomplishment: Abdirahman was named as the Pac-10 Conference Cross Country Male Athlete of the Year in 1998.
Richard Kleindienst
Office of the Attorney General
Attended UA in: 1941-1942
Why he's famous: Politics
Notable accomplishment: Served as Attorney General under President Richard Nixon and resigned due to the Watergate incident.
Joseph Acaba
Astronaut mission specialist Joseph Acaba, a crew member on Space shuttle Discovery, leaves the Operations and Checkout building at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 15, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
John Raoux
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why he's famous: Science — NASA astronaut
Notable accomplishment: Acaba spent a total of 137 days in space during his career.
Frank Sotomayor
Frank Sotomayor and Cecilia Martinez Estrada, at Tucson High School's 50th reunion in November, 2012. The two were classmates from first grade through high school.
Submitted photo / Desert Photo Booth
Graduated from UA in: 1966
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Sotomayor and a team of reporters at the Los Angeles Times won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1984.
Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig arrives at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Matt Sayles
Began at UA in: 1995
Why she's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Wiig is most well known for her role on the television show "Saturday Night Live" and the film "Bridesmaids."
Gordon Gordon
Gordon and Mildred Gordon with their cat.
Tucson Citizen, 1969
Attended UA in: 1930
Why they are famous: Crime FictionAuthor
Notable accomplishment: The Gordon's wrote 20 novels that sold over 16 million copies worldwide, and he wrote for the Tucson Citizen.
"Experiment in Terror," a movie produced by Columbia Pictures was based on their book Operation Terror and the Walt Disney production of "That Darn Cat" was based on their novel Undercover Cat.
Mildred Gordon
Attended UA in: 1930
Why they are famous: Crime FictionAuthor
Notable accomplishment: The Gordon's wrote 20 novels that sold over 16 million copies worldwide, and she wrote for a magazine that would later become Arizona Highways.
"Experiment in Terror," a movie produced by Columbia Pictures was based on their book Operation Terror and the Walt Disney production of "That Darn Cat" was based on their novel Undercover Cat.
Hassan Adams
Arizona's Hassan Adams came up with this huge slam to fire up the crowd in the first half as UA went on to beat ASU 68-47.
Francisco Medina / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 2006
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Adams was selected as a member of the All-Pac-10 First Team in 2006.
Brian Anderson
Chicago White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson dives to catch a ball in the second inning.
Francisco Medina
Left UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Anderson led the MLB in fielding percentage in 2008.
Craig T. Nelson
Actor Craig T. Nelson, one of the voice talents in the new Pixar Animation Studios film "The Incredibles" poses for photographers at the film's premiere, in Hollywood, Oct. 24, 2004. (REUTERS/Fred Prouser)
Fred Prouser
Began at UA in: 1965
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Nelson is known for movies such as "Poltergeist" and "The Incredibles," as well as the sports sitcom "Coach."
Gilbert Arenas
Arizona's Gilbert Arenas (0) has plenty of space to put the ball up after driving for the basket during second half action.
Tricia McInroy / Tucson Citizen
Left UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Arenas is a three-time NBA All-Star in 2006-08.
Denise Austin
Image from Denise Austin's Daily Workout, Feb. 21, 1997.
Handout photo
Began at UA in: 1975
Why she's famous: Sports — fitness; Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Austin is a former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
J.A. Jance
Author photo, J.A. Jance.
Mary Ann Halpin Studios
Graduated from UA in: 1966
Why she's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: When Jance appears at a book-signing event for her different series such as "Johanna Brady," a series set in Southern Arizona, she asks the bookstore hosting the event to donate a percentage of their earnings to various charities. In the last 10 years she has raised about $250,000 for charities.
Marisa Baena
Marisa Baena during the Pac-10 Women's Golf Championship at Raven Golf Club. Baena won the event.
Linda Seeger Salazar
Began at UA in: 1995
Why she's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Baena was a standout golfer at UA and won the individual NCAA title in 1996. She was also a three-time All-American and All-Pac-10 selection. She's been a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour since 1999.
Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie arrives at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jordan Strauss
Began at UA in: 1999
Why she's famous: Arts — Television personality
Notable accomplishment: Richie is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie and has been a prominent figure in reality television for more than a decade since her first show, "The Simple Things," aired in 2003.
Jonathan Van Ness
Matt Winkelmeyer // Getty Images
Attended UA: 2004
Why they're famous: TV personality
Notable Accomplishment: Best known for the show "Queer Eye."
Vinessa Vidotto
Graduated from UA in: 2018
Why she's famous: Actress
Notable accomplishments: Plays Cameron Vo in CBS's "FBI: International" and also had roles in "Lucifer" on Netflix and the HBO Max series "Hacks."
Caroline Rhea
From left, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Melissa Joan Hart, in an episode of "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," Sept. 22, 1998.
Randy Holmes
Began at UA in: 1985
Why she's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Rhea played Hilda Spellman on the TV show "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."
Bob Baffert
Trainer Bob Baffert shows Triple Crown winner American Pharoah to members of the media at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig
Graduated from UA in: 1977
Why he's famous: Sports — horse racing
Notable accomplishment: Baffert's horses have won four Kentucky Derbies . — Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, War Emblem in 2002, American Pharoah in 2015, and Justify in 2018.
Baffert won the Triple Crown with two-year-old colt American Pharoah. It's the first time this achievement has been made since 1973.
Lewis "Lew" Murphy
Tucson Mayor Lew Murphy chuckles during the announcement of the parade Grand Marshal for La Fiesta de los Vaqueros on Feb. 22, 1984.
Arizona Daily Star file
Graduated from UA in: 1955
Why he's famous: Served as Tucson's mayor, 1971-1987
Notable accomplishments: Guided Tucson through many changes, including bringing water from the Central Arizona Project to Tucson, starting the Community Food Bank and building a route to the airport along Kino Parkway.
Ron Barber
Democrat Ron Barber addresses a forum question in the final Congressional District 2 debate against Republican Martha McSally (not pictured) on Oct. 23, 2012.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1967
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. House of Representatives
Notable accomplishment: Barber was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona.
Adia Barnes
Arizona forward Adia Barnes skips rope during practice March 20, 1998, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Al Behrman
Graduated from UA in: 1998
Why she's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Barnes played seven seasons in the WNBA and is now the women's basketball coach at the University of Arizona. She was inducted into the UA Hall of Fame in 2003.
Ricky Barnes
Ricky Barnes chips onto the 15th green from a sand trap during the second round of the Quicken Loans National PGA golf tournament, Friday, June 27, 2014, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Patrick Semansky
Left UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Barnes was selected as a first-team All-American in 2003.
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian attends a book signing for "Dollhouse", the novel she co-wrote with her sisters, at Barnes & Noble in New York, Nov. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Charles Sykes
Graduated from UA in: 2002
Why she's famous: Arts — television personality
Notable accomplishment: Kardashian's television shows, clothing lines and stores have made her worth above $65 million.
Brigetta Barrett
United States' Brigetta Barrett clears the bar in the women's high jump final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Matt Dunham
Graduated from UA in: 2013
Why she's famous: Sports — high jump
Notable accomplishment: Barrett won a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
Michael Bates
UA's Michael Bates in the 200 meter at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Handout photo
Began at UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Sports — football, track and field
Notable accomplishment: Bates won a bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He is also a five-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL.
Betsey Bayless
Betsey Bayless, Feb. 14, 2002.
Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1966
Why she's famous: Politics — Secretary of State
Notable accomplishment: Bayless was the Secretary of State of Arizona from late 1997-early 2003.
Amanda Beard
Amanda Beard is a multiple Olympic gold medalist and won the 2001 NCAA title in the 100 breaststroke.
Aaron J. Latham / Daily Star 2003
Graduated from UA in: 2003
Why she's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Beard is a seven-time Olympic medalist including two gold medals. She's been named American Swimmer of the Year twice — in 2003 and '04.
Tyler Gillett
Graduated from UA in: 2004
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Gillett co-directed "Scream" (2022) and its following installment, "Scream VI." Other horror films he's known for include "Ready or Not," "V/H/S" and "Devil's Due."
Mike Bell
Arizona's Mike Bell celebrates his team's first touchdown after he ran it in during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium, Sept. 10, 2005.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 2002
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Bell won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
Gary Mauer
courtesy of UA Presents
Graduated from UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Arts — theater
Notable accomplishment: Mauer has landed roles in some of Broadways biggest shows, including Enjolras in "Les Misérables" and both Raoul and the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera."
Kathryn Bertine
Kathryn Bertine talks about her experience as a rider and activist focused on women in professional bicycle racing during the Tucson Storytellers Project at The Loft Cinema, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2000
Why she's famous: Sports — cycling
Notable accomplishment: Bertine co-founded Le Tour Entier, a company working to re-establish the Tour de France Féminin.
Mike Bibby
Arizona's Mike Bibby dunks against Kentucky during the first quarter of their semifinal game in the Maui Invitational, Nov. 25, 1997, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Bob Galbraith
Began at UA in: 1996
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Bibby was selected as the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1998 and was part of the UA's 1997 NCAA champion team. His number, 10, was also retired by the UA.
Michael Biehn
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN ride again! The western series based on the classic film, starring Michael Biehn as Chris, the fearless leader of the group, returns for its second season.
Monty Brinton
Graduated from UA in: 1974
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Biehn is most well known for his role as Kyle Reese in "The Terminator."
Cheri Blauwet
Cheri Blauwet of California kisses the champion's trophy after winning the women's wheelchair division of the 108th Boston Marathon with a time of 1:39:53 in Boston April 19, 2004. (REUTERS/Jim Bourg)
Jim Bourg
Graduated from UA in: 2002
Why she's famous: Sports — wheelchair racing
Notable accomplishment: Blauwet won a gold medal in the 2004 Summer Paralympics.
Lynn Borden
Graduated from UA in: 1959
Why she's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Borden is known for her role in the film "Frogs." She was also named Miss Arizona in 1957.
Terry Bracy
Terry Bracy.
Submitted photo
Graduated from UA in: 1966
Why he's famous: Politics
Notable accomplishment: Bracy worked as an aide to Congressman Morris K. Udall between 1966-76. He also served under four U.S. presidents.
Lance Briggs
UA's Lance Briggs turns toward the crowd and Arizona fans in disbelief after Cal's score late in the fourth quarter Nov. 3, 2001.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 1999
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Briggs has made seven NFL Pro Bowl appearances.
Jerry Bruckheimer
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer waves as celebrities leave the red carpet before the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May, 3, 2014. (Charles Bertram/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT)
Charles Bertram
Graduated from UA in: 1965
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Bruckheimer's notable works include TV's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series.
Tedy Bruschi
New Mexico State QB Cody Ledbetter gets sacked by Arizona's Tedy Bruschi on Sept. 11, 1994.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 1996
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Bruschi was selected as a member of the All-Pac-10 first-team in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Chase Budinger
Arizona's #34 Chase Budinger uses the body of Utah's #50 Luke Nevill, left, to push off and shoot in the second half. Budinger had eight rebounds and 20 points as the UA defeated Utah 84-71 in the first round of the NCAA game at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, March 20, 2009.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 2006
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Budinger was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2007 and a member of the All-Pac-10 First Team in 2009.
David Foster Wallace
Graduated from UA in: 1987 — Master
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Wallace's novel "Infinite Jest" was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels published between 1923 and 2005.
Kate Walsh
Kate Walsh arrives at the 2nd Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 18, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Began at UA in: 1988
Why she's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Walsh is best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the TV shows "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice." She is also in the Netflix series "The Umbrella Academy."
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch gets high-fives from fans after arriving for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Coca-Cola 600 auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 25, 2014. Busch finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 race earlier. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chuck Burton
Graduated from UA in: 1996
Why he's famous: Sports — NASCAR
Notable accomplishment: Busch has 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins during his career. He won one Cup Series Championship in 2004.
Ka'Deem Carey
Began at UA in: 2011
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Carey holds many UA football records — the UA's single-season record for rushing yards with 1,929 and the UA's single-season record for rushing touchdowns with 23.
Some other UA football records Carey holds:
Most individual rushing attempts in a game with 48.
Most individual rushing attempts in a season with 349.
Most net yards gained in a game with 366.
Most net yards gained in a career with 4,239.
Most rushing touchdowns in a game with 5.
Most rushing touchdowns in a career with 48.
Most consecutive games with at least 100 yards gained with 16.
Susan Casey
Graduated from UA in: 1985
Why he's famous: Sports, arts
Notable accomplishment: Susan Casey attended the UA on a swimming scholarship. She was the women’s winner of the first three El Tour de Tucson bicycle races. Casey is the author of a New York Times bestseller, "The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks,” and of “The Wave:In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean.” She was creative director of Outside Magazine and editor of O, the Oprah Magazine.
Antoine Cason
Arizona’s Antoine Cason runs back a punt for a touchdown on Sept. 8, 2007.
Jim Davis, Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2008
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Cason was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the best defensive back in college football — in 2007, his senior season at UA.
Raul H. Castro
Judge Raul H. Castro, Sept. 5, 1964
Gaines-Manley Photographs
Graduated from UA in: 1949
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Ambassador; Governor of Arizona
Notable accomplishment: Castro served as the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 1977-80. He also served as the 14th Governor of Arizona from 1975-77.
Richard Harvey Chambers
Undated file photo of Richard Harvey Chambers.
Leslie Wells / Arizona Daily Star file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1929
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Federal Judge
Notable accomplishment: Chambers served as federal judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1959-76, which is the longest term served by a federal judge in the history of the Ninth Circuit.
Joan Ganz Cooney
FILE — In this Dec. 1, 2005 file photo, Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of Sesame Street, arrives at the Museum of Television and Radio "She Made It" launch party in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, file)
Stephen Chernin
Graduated from UA in: 1951
Why she's famous: Arts — television
Notable accomplishment: Cooney is one of the founders of the Children's Television Network, which later created the television show "Sesame Street."
Dennis DeConcini
Regent Dennis DeConcini at an Arizona Board of Regents meeting at the University of Arizona Dec. 3, 2009 in Tucson, Ariz.
James Gregg / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1959
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Senate
Notable accomplishment: DeConcini served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona between 1977-95.
Ted DeGrazia
Tucson artist Ted DeGrazia in April, 1960, next to "Los Niños," which was chosen as the official Christmas card by UNICEF in 1960. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Citizen file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1944
Why he's famous: Arts
Notable accomplishment: During his career, DeGrazia studied under artists Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.
David Dewhurst
From left: NRG Energy CEO David Crane, United States Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, JX Nippon president and CEO Shunsaku Miyake, Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and CEO of Hilcorp Jeff Hildebrand seen at the Petra Nova Groundbreaking Event at the W.A. Parish power plant on Sept. 5, 2014 in rural Fort Bend County, TX. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Invision for NRG/AP Images)
Eric Kayne
Graduated from UA in: 1967
Why he's famous: Politics — Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Notable accomplishment: Dewhurst has been the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Texas since 2003.
George DiCarlo
George DiCarlo, UA swimmer, June 7, 1984.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf
Graduated from UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: DiCarlo won the gold medal and broke the then-Olympic record in the men's 400-meter freestyle event at the 1984 Olympics with a time of 3 minutes 51.23 seconds.
Bob Dole
Republican presidential hopeful Bob Dole announces his economic plan during a speech in Chicago Aug. 5, 1996. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Stephan Savoia
Began at UA in: 1949
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Senate
Notable accomplishment: Dole represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969-96 and ran for president in 1996, losing to incumbent President Bill Clinton.
Shelley Duncan
UA's Shelley Duncan shows his power form at the plate in 1999. He leads the team with 15 home runs.
Val Cañez
Left UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Duncan was selected as a member of the All-American College First-Team in 2001.
Robert Eckert
Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, watches as a modern commercial for Barbie plays on a screen behind him while he presents during the Global Retailing Conference at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz., April 12, 2007.
Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1976
Why he's famous: Business — CEO
Notable accomplishment: Eckert has held positions at many well-known American companies. For example, he's the former CEO of Mattel Inc. and the former president and CEO of Kraft Foods Inc.
Karl Eller
Arizona businessman and University of Arizona benefactor Karl Eller. Courtesy Eller's family.
Submitted photo
Graduated from UA in: 1952
Why he's famous: Business — entrepreneur
Notable accomplishment: The University of Arizona Eller College of Management is named after Karl Eller. He was also one of the founding investors of the NBA team the Phoenix Suns in 1968.
Years later, Eller transformed the convenience store chain Circle K into the second-largest convenience store chain in the U.S.
Eller was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame by the American Advertising Federation in 2004, making him the first Arizonan to be inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame.
Bob Elliott
University of Arizona center Bob Elliott (55) tosses a pass during the UA vs. Wyoming basketball game in McKale Center on Jan. 31, 1976.
Lew Elliott / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 1977
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Elliott, a former UA basketball standout and NBA player, was recently honored by members of Greater Tucson Leadership as Man of the Year. A longtime civic leader, Elliott was honored for his integrity, leadership abilities and contributions to the community.
Elliott has served in at least 13 leadership roles in groups, including the Tucson Airport Authority, the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Urban League. He recently published a book titled “Tucson, A Basketball Town.”
Between 1999-2003, he also lent his voice to the video game NBA Live as a color commentator.
Sean Elliott
University of Arizona basketball player Sean Elliott gets ready to pass the ball during the 1989 NCAA Sweet 16 tournament against UNLV.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Elliott is the all-time leading scorer at UA. After his collegiate career, Elliott went on to win an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
Elliott's number, 32, was also retired by both the UA and the Spurs after his outstanding career in both places.
Scott Erickson
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Scott Erickson throws during the first inning of the first game of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians Oct. 8, 1997, at Camden Yards in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Doug Mills
Began at UA in: 1988
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Erickson was selected as an all-star in 1991 and later won a World Series in the same year.
Paul Fannin
A 1964 election sent Gov. Paul Fannin to the United States Senate. Photo taken 1964.
Tucson Citizen
Began at UA in: 1925
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Senate; Governor
Notable accomplishment: Fannin served as the 11th Governor of Arizona from 1959-65. He then served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona between 1965-77.
Nick Foles
Arizona quarterback Nick Foles throws against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Oct. 29, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Elaine Thompson
Graduated from UA in: 2012
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: In 2013, Foles broke the Philadelphia Eagles' record for most completed passes without an interception. He had 233.
Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles is the first ex-University of Arizona quarterback to play and win a Super Bowl title in 2018.
Jennie Finch
UA's Jennie Finch pitches during the 5th inning play against the UCLA Bruins at Hillenbrand Stadium, April 7, 2002.
Ian Wingfield
Graduated from UA in: 2002
Why she's famous: Sports — softball
Notable accomplishment: During her time at UA, Finch helped the Wildcats win the Women's College World Series in 2001.
She then went on to help the USA Softball team win a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics.
David Fitzsimmons
Mugshot of David Fitzsimmons. Shot in the Star studio on April 17, 2012.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1977
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Fitzsimmons, or "Fitz," is a cartoonist and editorial writer for the Arizona Daily Star.
Nick Folk
Arizona place kicker #12 Nick Folk against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Oct. 8, 2005.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2007
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Folk played in the 2007 Pro Bowl.
Terry Francona
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona is seen in the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, July 20, 2014 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carlos Osorio
Began at UA in: 1977
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Francona coached the Boston Red Sox to its first World Series victory in 86 years during the 2004 season.
Brenda Frese
Maryland head coach Brenda Frese directs her players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in College Park, Md., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Patrick Semansky
Graduated from UA in: 1993
Why she's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: In 2006, Frese coached the University of Maryland's women's basketball team, which won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament.
Channing Frye
Arizona's Channing Frye dunks over California's Joe Shipp in the second half of the game Feb. 27, 2003 in Berkeley, Calif. Arizona won 88-75. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
Susan Ragan
Graduated from UA in: 2005
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Frye was selected as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2006.
Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk hits on the ninth fairway during the final round of the Canadian Open golf tournament, July 27, 2014, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)
Paul Chiasson
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Furyk has won 16 PGA Tour events during his career, most notably the U.S. Open in 2003.
José Galvez
Jose Galvez, May 6, 2004.
Tom Spitz
Graduated from UA in: 1972
Why he's famous: Arts — photography
Notable accomplishment: Galvez, a Tucsonan who attended Tucson High, was the first Mexican-American photojournalist to be hired by The Los Angeles Times. Galvez and a team of reporters at the Times won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1984.
Robert Gamez
Robert Gamez retrieves his ball on the 7th green at Poppy Hills during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, California on Feb. 6, 2003.
Bob Pepping / Contra Costa Times
Began at UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Gamez was named as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1990.
Jason Gardner
Jason Gardner goes to the hoop in the 1st half of their win over Vermont 80-51 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2003.
Francisco Medina / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: In 2005, the UA retired Gardner's number, 22, for his outstanding achievements during his time spent at the UA. These achievements include being selected as an Associated Press second team All-American in 2003.
Brian Garfield
Brian F.W. Garfield and his wife (not named) received master's degrees in English during University of Arizona commencement in May, 1963. The caption read, "Now they'll go to Europe where he will continue writing novels." In fact, he went on to write more than 70 books, including several made into movies. His 1972 novel "Death Wish," about a vigilante, was made into a movie and several sequels starring Charles Bronson.
Tucson Citizen photo
Graduated from UA in: 1959
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Garfield's novel titled "Death Wish," published in 1972, was adapted into a film in 1974.
Gil Gastelum
Gil Gastelum, founder and CEO of Cosmica Artists and Records.
Photo courtesy of Marissa Lopez Gastelum
Graduated from UA in: 1993
Why he's famous: Arts — music
Notable accomplishment: Gastelum is the founder and CEO of Cosmica Artists and Records, a "boutique entertainment management and record label," as stated on the company's website.
One of the company's artists, Gustavo Galindo, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2012. Two more of the company's artists, La Santa Cecilia’s and Carla Morrison, have also been nominated for Latin Grammy Awards.
Paul Giblin
Paul Giblin.
Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1988
Why he's famous: Journalism
Notable accomplishment: Giblin, an investigative journalist, won a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting in 2009 with fellow journalist Ryan Gabrielson while working at the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz. Pulitzer.org said the two were awarded "for their adroit use of limited resources to reveal, in print and online, how a popular sheriff’s (Joe Arpaio) focus on immigration enforcement endangered investigation of violent crime and other aspects of public safety."
Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr.
Undated file photo of Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr.
Arizona Daily Star file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1949 — Law degree
Why he's famous: Politics — Governor
Notable accomplishment: Goddard Jr. was the 12th Governor of Arizona. He served from 1965-67.
Barry Goldwater
Citizen Photo — Oct. 17, 1951, Barry Goldwater.
Tucson Citizen
Honorary UA alumnus in: 1969
Why he's famous: Politics — Senator
Notable accomplishment: Goldwater served as a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona between 1953-65 and then again from 1969-87. He also ran for president as the Republican nominee in the 1964 election.
George Gray
Handout photo of George Gray, 2005. Photo courtesy of George Gray.
Courtesy of George Gray
Graduated from UA in: 1990
Why he's famous: Arts — television personality
Notable accomplishment: Gray has hosted many television game shows, such as the "Weakest Link."
Raúl Grijalva
U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.
Submitted photo
Graduated from UA in: 1971
Why he's famous: Politics — congress
Notable accomplishment: Grijalva has served as the U.S. representative of Arizona's 3rd congressional district since 2003.
Natalie Gulbis
Natalie Gulbis hits from a sand trap on the fifth hole during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament in Pinehurst, N.C., June 19, 2014. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
John Bazemore
Began at UA in: 2000
Why she's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Gulbis won one LPGA Tour event in 2007.
Chip Hale
Tucson Sidewinders field manager Chip Hale applauds his team during a game at Tucson Electric Park against the Salt Lake Stingers June 13, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz.
Rich-Joseph Facun / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1987
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Hale was the Arizona Diamondbacks manager from the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Ron Hassey
Former UA baseball player Ron Hassey stands at bat during a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Hi Corbett Field, March 28, 1989.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 1972
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: The UA won a NCAA championship in 1976 while Hassey was a senior.
Dan Hicks
Photo courtesy of NBC
Graduated from UA in: 1984
Why he's famous: Sportscaster
Notable accomplishment: Play-by-play announcer for golf, National Basketball Association and National Football League on NBC.
Jordan Hill
Arizona's Jordan Hill slams home a dunk over two Washington State defenders in the first half at Friel Court, Feb. 26, 2009.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 2009
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Hill was selected as a member of the All-Pac-10 First Team in 2009.
Earl Hindman
Began at UA in: 1961
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Hindman is known for his role on the television series "Home Improvement."
Rick Hoffman
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Hoffman is known for his roles in television series "Suits" and "Billions."
Trevor Hoffman
San Diego Padres' pitcher Trevor Hoffman recorded his 52nd save of the season Sept. 23, 1998 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Padres beat the Dodgers 3-2. (AP Photo/Kevin Karzin)
Kevin Karzin
Left UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Hoffman has the second-highest number of career saves in the MLB with 601. The remarkable part about that record is that Hoffman played shortstop while at the UA.
Zeb Hogan
Zeb Hogan gives a Keynote Presentation at the UA Undergraduate Biology Research Program Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. Drew McCullough / Arizona Daily Star
Drew McCullough / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA: Undergraduate degree in ecology and evolutionary biology
Why he's famous: Biologist
Notable accomplishment: Noted biologistand host of National Geographic's Monster Fish
Alicia Hollowell
Arizona pitcher Alicia Hollowell pitches against the LSU Tigers May 26, 2006 striking out 11 batters and winning 5-0.
Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2007
Why she's famous: Sports — softball
Notable accomplishment: Between 2003 and 2006, UA softball pitcher Alicia Hollowell struck out 1,768 batters in her Wildcat career, which is the UA school record for most strikeouts. Her closest pursuer struck out 1,267 batters — 501 strikeouts fewer than Hollowell.
Jack Howell Jr.
Jack Howell Jr. Courtesy Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Pima County Sports Hall of Fame
Began at UA in: 1982
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Howell was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 for his baseball-related accomplishments.
Serena Hoy
Graduated from UA in: 1994
Why she's famous: Politics — Homeland Security
Notable accomplishment: Serena Hoy won a Rhodes Scholarship in 1994. She is senior adviser to the deputy secretary of U.S. Homeland Security and former chief counsel to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Nick Hundley
University of Arizona's Nick Hundley tags Oregon State's Seth Pietsch during the 5th inning May 19, 2003.
Max Becherer
Began at UA in: 2002
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Baseball America named Hundley as a second-team All-American in 2005.
Andre Iguodala
Arizona's Andre Iguodala slams home a dunk over Southern California's Gregg Guenther Jr., in the second half Feb. 12, 2004 at McKale Center.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 2004
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Iguodala played for the USA men's basketball team in the 2012 Olympics and helped the team win a gold medal.
Richard Jefferson
Arizona's Richard Jefferson scores a rare open shot during a game against California Berkeley Feb. 25, 1999.
Sarah Prall / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: During his time at the UA, Jefferson helped lead the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance in 2001.
He won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics while playing with the USA men's basketball team.
In 2012, Jefferson was inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor.
He also donated $3.5 million to the UA to build the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium that bears his name. His donation is one of the largest individual donations to UA Athletics.
He currently plays for the Denver Nuggets.
Len Jessup
Len Jessup, former dean of the Eller College of Management
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA: in 1989 with PhD from the Eller College
Why he's famous: A leader in higher education and former dean of the Eller College. Former president of UNLV and current president of Claremont Graduate University.
Noteworthy Accomplishments: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) CEO of the year; helped bring the Raiders to Las Vegas.
Jay John
UA assistant coach Jay John, left, gives an earful to freshman Richard Jefferson during their game against ASU in Tempe on Jan. 14, 1999.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1981
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: John is an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of California, Berkeley.
Vance Johnson
University of Arizona receiver Vance Johnson keeps running against Oregon in 1983. Arizona Daily Star file photo.
Arizona Daily Star file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1985
Why he's famous: Sports — football; long jump
Notable accomplishment: Johnson played in three Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos during his career — 1987, '88 and '90.
He was also a world-class long jumper, who won the NCAA championship in 1982.
Woody Johnson
The new head coach of the New York Jets, Eric Mangini, and Chairman and CEO of the New York Jets, Woody Johnson, pose for photos after a press conference held at the Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, Tuesday, January 17, 2006. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/KRT)
Thomas A. Ferrara
Graduated from UA in: 1972
Why he's famous: Business
Notable accomplishment: Johnson owns the New York Jets football team.
Deborah Leoni
Why she's famous: Writer and TV producer
Notable accomplishments: Leoni has worked as an ABC executive but in 1998 she founded Flagstaff 360, a production and marketing company. She has since developed and produced for Showtime, Lifetime, Disney Channel, BET and other television networks.
Dennis Leoni
Dennis Leoni: "We'll hobble around and shoot each other like we did in the old days."
COURTESY OF DENNIS LEONI
Why he's famous: Executive producer
Notable accomplishments: Leoni is most known for creating the Showtime show "Resurrection Blvd."
He became an actor and stuntman at Old Tucson Studios after his sophomore year at UA.
Tom Kalinske
Tom Kalinske, Oct. 8, 1985.
Arizona Daily Star file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1968
Why he's famous: Business — CEO
Notable accomplishment: Kalinske has been the CEO of many well-known companies such as Mattel, Matchbox and Sega of America. Kalinske currently works as the executive chairman of Global Education Learning.
Kitty Kelley
Author Kitty Kelley poses for a photo at the Doubleday office in New York on Sept. 13, 2004. (AP Photo/Gino Domenico)
Gino Domenico
Began at UA in: 1959
Why she's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: One of Kelley's most-recognized works is "Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography," published in 1991.
Steve Kerr
Former University of Arizona basketball player Steve Kerr looks for an open player as he goes up against Eugene Edgerson during the Lute Olson All-Star Classic basketball game in McKale Center on Aug. 19, 2007.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1988
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Kerr is a five-time NBA champion. He is the all-time leader in NCAA three-point percentage (57.3 percent). His number, 25, was retired by the UA.
In May 2014, Kerr was named as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors NBA team.
In Oct. 2014, Kerr and his wife donated $1 million to the UA for the ongoing McKale Center renovations.
Barbara Kingsolver
Author Barbara Kingsolver. Photo by Annie Griffiths Belt/courtesy HarperCollins.
Courtesy HarperCollins
Graduated from UA in: 1981
Why she's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Kingsolver is a New York Times bestselling author. Novels include "The Poisonwood Bible" and "The Bean Trees," set partially in Tucson.
Jon Kyl
Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Ariz. arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 24, 2010, to vote on the Senate Jobs Bill. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Harry Hamburg
Graduated from UA in: 1964
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Senate
Notable accomplishment: Kyl served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona between 1995-2013.
Spencer Larsen
Arizona's #51 Spencer Larsen takes down UCLA wide receiver #4 Terrence Austin in the fourth quarter Nov. 3, 2007.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2008
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Larsen was selected as a member of the All-Pac-10 First-Team in 2007.
Kevin Leman
Portrait of Kevin Leman. Courtesy of Kevin Leman.
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1969
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Leman is a New York Times bestselling author. His parenting books include "The Birth Order Book."
Alison Levine
Picture of UA Alumna Alison Levine climbing Mt. Everest, May 22, 2003.
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1987
Why she's famous: Arts — literature; Sports — extreme outdoor
Notable accomplishment: Levine has climbed the highest peaks on every continent. She is also a New York Times bestselling author of the leadership book "On the Edge."
Warren Livingston
University of Arizona football cornerback Warren Livingston. Undated photo. Courtesy University of Arizona
Courtesy University of Arizona
Graduated from UA in: 1961
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Livingston played six seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys between 1961-66.
Lorna Lockwood
Lorna Lockwood pictured in the 1924 University of Arizona yearbook. Photo courtesy of University of Arizona Yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections.
Photo courtesy of University of Arizona Yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections
Graduated from UA in: 1923
Why she's famous: Politics — Supreme Court
Notable accomplishment: Lockwood was the first woman to become a chief justice of a state Supreme Court. She served in Arizona.
Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton dribbles during a Final Four game against Oklahoma in 1988.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf
Graduated from UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball and basketball
Notable accomplishment: Lofton is a six-time MLB All-Star and a four-time MLB Gold Glove Award winner. He is one of only two people to play in a NCAA basketball championship and a MLB World Series.
J. David Lowell
J. David Lowell.
Ross Humphreys
Graduated from UA in: 1949
Why he's famous: Engineering — mining
Notable accomplishment: Lowell earned his bachelor's degree in mining engineering from the UA in 1949 and a master's degree in geology from Stanford University in 1957. He returned to the UA and completed a professional engineer degree in 1959. He has received honorary doctorates from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru in 1998 and the UA in 2000.
Lowell has discovered more copper ore than any other person in history. He is a 2002 inductee of the American Mining Hall of Fame.
In 2008, Lowell and his wife, Edith, donated $2.5 million toward the ongoing construction of the UA's basketball and volleyball practice facility. Another $2.06 million went to establishing the David Lowell Professional Program in Mineral Resources in the department of mining and geological engineering.
Terry J. Lundgren
Macy's Chairman, President and CEO Terry Lundgren arrives to court in New York, Feb. 25, 2013. Lundgren is scheduled to testify in New York State Supreme Court on Monday in a trial that pits the department store chain against rival J.C. Penney Co. over a partnership with home diva Martha Stewart. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig
Graduated from UA in: 1975
Why he's famous: Business
Notable accomplishment: Lundgren is the CEO of Macy's Inc. The UA Center for Retailing bears his name.
Harvey Mason Jr.
Former Wildcat Harvey Mason talks with Wilbur T. Wildcat during the No. 1 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State University men's college basketball game on Jan. 16, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Arts — music; Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Is a record producer, songwriter and movie producer. Mason has won multiple Grammy Awards.
Chris McAlister
UA cornerback Chris McAlister makes an interception against UTEP.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 1999
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: McAlister was a three-time All-Pac-10 first-team selection in 1996-98. He won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001.
James McMurtry
Musician, James McMurtry, Oct. 3, 1997.
Handout photo
Began at UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Arts — music
Notable accomplishment: Music critic Robert Christgau ranked McMurtry's song "We Can't Make It Here" as "the best song of the 2000s."
John Meloan
Arizona pitcher John Meloan throws against Missouri's James Boone in the first inning at the NCAA baseball regionals play-offs in Fullerton, Calif, on June 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
Francis Specker
Began at UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Meloan had a perfect season in 2004 while at the UA. His record was 10-0 in 11 starts.
Frank Middleton
Frank Middleton is an offensive guard for the 1996 University of Arizona Wildcat Football team.
Mary Chind / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 1997
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: In 2007, Middleton was inducted into the Fort Scott Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, where he played before the UA.
Arturo Moreno
Arturo Moreno talks to reporters after Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of Disney's Anaheim Angels to him, May 15, 2003, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Mary Altaffer
Graduated from UA in: 1973
Why he's famous: Business — entrepreneur
Notable accomplishment: Moreno owns the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is the first Mexican-American to own a major sports team in the U.S.
Peter Murrieta
Peter Murrieta, creator of "Greetings from Tucson."
Val Cañez
Began at UA in: 1984
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Murrieta is the former head writer for the TV show "Wizards of Waverly Place." He won two Emmy Awards for his work on the movie "Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie," adapted from the TV show.
Ryk Neethling
Ryk Neethling takes a break from his training to talk with another swimmer at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.
Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Neethling was part of the 4×100 m freestyle relay team that won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics.
Alana Nichols
Alana Nichols from the United States in action during the Women's Super-G sitting of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Creekside on March 19, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. Alana Nichols finished second in the Women's Super-G sitting. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Dominic Favre)
Notable accomplishment: Nichols won a gold medal with the U.S. women's Paralympic basketball team in 2008. She also won two gold medals in the 2010 Winter Paralympics.
Dennis Northcutt
UA wide receiver Dennis Northcutt catches, then loses a pass in the end zone during the first half as Stanford's Corey Hill holds on for the tackle Oct. 11, 1997.
Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2000
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Northcutt was named as a Consensus All-American in 1999 while at the UA.
Robert Nugent
Robert Nugent pictured in the 1922 UA yearbook. Photo courtesy of University of Arizona yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections.
Photo courtesy of University of Arizona yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections
Graduated from UA in: 1923
Why he's famous: Education — administration
Notable accomplishment: Chemist Robert Nugent won a Rhodes Scholarship in 1923. He was dean of two colleges at the UA — liberal arts and graduate studies — before becoming executive vice president for the university. A building on campus is named for him. He died in 1963.
The University of Arizona Alumni Association also has an award named in memory of him — the Nugent Award.
Lacey Nymeyer
Olympic Swimmer Lacey Nymeyer visits Richardson Elementary School where she used to attend on Sept. 5, 2008. She won the silver medal in the women's 100 freestyle relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Lacey is speaking to the students about her race at the Olympics.
Janelle Montenegro / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2009
Why she's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Nymeyer and her 4x200 meter freestyle relay team broke the world record time for the event in 2007 with their time of 7 minutes 50.09 seconds. She was also selected as the Pac-10 Woman of the Year and the NCAA Woman of the Year, both in 2009.
Lorena Ochoa
Mexico's Lorena Ochoa watches the ball during the final round of the LPGA Corona Morelia golf championship in Morelia, Mexico, May 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Eduardo Verdugo
Left UA in: 2002
Why she's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Ochoa is a four-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year.
Josh Pastner
Josh Pastner dribbles the ball past an Oregon defender in January of 1998.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2000
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Pastner is head coach of Georgia Tech men's basketball team. He was part of the UA's 1997 NCAA champion basketball team.
Lisan Peng
Lisan Peng.
Arizona Daily Star file photo
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why she's famous: Medicine — cancer work
Notable accomplishment: Dr. Lisan Peng won a Rhodes Scholarship in 1993. She is a doctor at the UA Cancer center. Peng graduated from University High School.
Valerie Perrine
Began at UA in: 1961
Why she's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Perrine is known for her role as Eve Teschmacher in the 1978 film "Superman."
She also played Honey Bruce in the 1974 film "Lenny."
Don Pettit
In this image from television on Feb. 11, 2003, international space station commander Ken Bowersox, center, hands the microphone to Russian flight engineer Nikolai Budarin, left, during a news conference from the space station. At right is science officer Don Pettit. (AP Photo/NASA TV)
NASA TV
Graduated from UA in: 1983
Why he's famous: Science — NASA astronaut
Notable accomplishment: Pettit spent a total of 370 days in space throughout his NASA career.
Antonio Pierce
The Jets' Curtis Martin, left, runs past the Giants' Antonio Pierce in the second quarter of their preseason game on Aug. 26, 2005. (David L. Pokress / KRT)
David L. Pokress
Graduated from UA in: 2001
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Pierce won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2007. He was also selected to play in the 2006 Pro Bowl.
Todd Pletcher
Trainer Todd Pletcher, center, hoists the Belmont Stakes trophy in the winner's circle while standing with jockey Mike Smith, left, and Cot Campbell, President of Dogwood Stables, after Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes horse race in Elmont, N.Y., June 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Seth Wenig
Graduated from UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Sports — horse racing
Notable accomplishment: Pletcher's horse, Super Saver, won the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
Don Pooley
Don Pooley at the US West Cellular shootout in Tucson Jan. 9, 1996.
Brian Winter
Graduated from UA in: 1973
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Pooley won two PGA Tour events in 1980 and 1987, most notably the B.C. Open in 1980.
Brian Ralston
From left, Cheryl Bell, Steve Tobias, Patrick Coco, Tom Alexander and Brian Ralston are all sporting the new "Lute lids," a rubbery white hair piece that is suppose to make you look like Lute Olson. Photo taken Jan. 15, 1998.
Benjie Sanders
Graduated from UA in: 1997
Why he's famous: Arts — music
Notable accomplishment: Ralston produced the short film "The Receipt" and composed the music for it. Ralston's score for the film won the "Gold Medal of Excellence" at the Park City Film Music Festival in 2005.
Brooks Reed
Houston Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed (58) celebrates with Quintin Demps (27) after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
AP/Tony Gutierrez
Left UA in: 2011
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Reed was named a first-team All Pac-10 member in 2010. Reed also attended Sabino High School in Tucson. He's currently a starting linebacker for the Houston Texans.
Jeffrey Rein
Jeffrey Rein at the 40th Sahuaro High School reunion for the class of 1970.
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1975
Why he's famous: Business — CEO
Notable accomplishment: Rein is a former CEO of Walgreens.
Sean Rooks
Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal holds up fellow center Sean Rooks as they pose for a picture at Lakers' Media Day Oct. 14, 1996. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Pizzello
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Rooks played 12 seasons in the NBA between 1992-2004.
Richard Russo
FILE — Author Richard Russo, 52, poses in his hotel suite in this file photo taken June 16, 2001 in Chicago. Russo was awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for fiction April 8, 2002, for his book for "Empire Falls." (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
M. Spencer Green
Graduated from UA in: 1979
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Russo won a Pulitzer Prize in 2002 for fiction for "Empire Falls."
Warren Rustand
Warren Rustand
Submitted Photo
Graduated from UA in: 1965
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Rustand played basketball at the UA from 1961-1965, and was the first Wildcat to 1) play on a U.S. national team [1966, Silver Medal]; 2) be named an Academic All-American; 3) be named WAC Scholar/Athlete of the Year; 4) play in a national all-star game [1965 East-West game]; 5) be named All WAC three consecutive years; 6) be named to the All-District 7 NCAA team; and 7) lead the team in field goal percentage and free throw percentage three consecutive years.
Rustand also was named Outstanding Sophomore, Junior and Senior Athlete of the Year and was named MVP, Most Inspirational Player and captain in his junior and senior years. In addition, Rustand was named by The Arizona Daily Star as one of the 15 greatest US basketball players all-time, was elected to the UA Sports Hall of Fame, is one of only two UA athletes to be an All-American and Student Body President, and received the Merrill Freeman Award as the Outstanding Graduate based on character, scholarship and leadership.
After his UA career, Rustand was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors of the NBA but instead chose to play AAU basketball, and served as assistant coach at UA (1967-68). He also coached and administered youth basketball for 20 years and worked as a sports reporter for KVOA-TV (1969-72).
In his career away from basketball, Rustand has been involved in government affairs at the highest level. He was a White House scholar, served a fellowship at the Commerce Department and became Appointments Secretary for President Gerald Ford.
Rory Sabbatini
Rory Sabbatini hits his approach shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2014 John Deere Classic golf tournament at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., July 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast
Began at UA in: 1995
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Sabbatini has won six PGA Tour events, most notably the HP Byron Nelson Championship in 2009.
Rico Saccani
Former Tucsonan Rico Saccani was once a child prodigy at the piano and now is a successful conductor based in Italy. Arizona Daily Star file photo taken Jan. 15, 1990.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1973
Why he's famous: Arts — music
Notable accomplishment: Saccani is the former music director for the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra.
Brian Anderson
Former UA and big-league outfielder Brian Anderson spent the 2022 season as the first-base coach for first-year coach Chip Hale.
Mike Christy, Arizona athletics
Left UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports - baseball
Notable accomplishments: Anderson was a Chicago White Socks first draft pick in 2003. He played major league baseball for five years, the first four with the White Sox and the remaining year with the Boston Red Sox. In 2021, Anderson returned to the UA to finish his college degree and join Chip Hale's coaching staff.
Ari Sandel
Ari Sandel. Photo courtesy of SWPR Group.
Courtesy of SWPR Group
Graduated from UA in: 1998
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Sandel won an Academy Award in 2006 for the "Best Live Action Short Film" with his short film "West Bank Story."
Robert Sarver
Suns owner Robert Sarver voices his opinion from his court-side seat during Phoenix's second game against Memphis' in their first round playoff series at America West Arena, April 27, 2005.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1982
Why he's famous: Business — sports
Notable accomplishment: Sarver is the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and founded the National Bank of America.
Brian Schmidt
In this May 8, 2008 photo provided by the Australian Academy of Science, Prof. Brian Schmidt poses for a photograph. Schmidt is one of three U.S.-born scientists to win the Nobel Prize in Physics on Oct. 4, 2011, for discovering that the universe is expanding at an accelerating pace. (AP Photo/AAS Irene Dowdy)
Irene Dowdy
Graduated from UA in: 1989
Why he's famous: Science — astrophysics
Notable accomplishment: Schmidt's research team won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for their help in discovering the accelerating universe.
Roland Schoeman
Former UA swimmer Roland Schoeman, a three-time medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games, celebrates his world record in the 50 butterfly on July 26, 2005.
Ryan Remiorz, Associated Press
Graduated from UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Schoeman set the 50m freestyle world record in 2009 with a time of 20.30 seconds.
Richard "Dick" Scobee
UA alumnus "Dick" Scobee talks about his adventures aboard the space shuttle. Arizona Daily Star file photo taken Nov. 2, 1984.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1965
Why he's famous: Science — NASA astronaut
Notable accomplishment: Scobee spent close to seven days total in space during his NASA career.
John Shadegg
Rep. John B. Shadegg (R-AZ/3d). (MCT)
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1972
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. Representative
Notable accomplishment: Shadegg was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona's 3rd congressional district from 1995-2011.
Sally Shamrell
Bisbee native and former KVOA Channel 4 anchor Sally Shamrell was cast as an anchor in Shonda Rhimes’s new TV drama “For the People.”
Courtesy Sally Shamrell
Graduated from UA
Why she's famous: TV — Arts and film
Notable accomplishment: Popular Tucson TV personality at KVOA Channel 4. Also has appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., American Crime Story, The Young and the Restless, and most recently, Shonda Rhimes’ drama “For the People.”
Garry Shandling
Garry Shandling, host of the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, gestures as he opens the show at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sept. 10, 2000. (AP Photo/Mark J.Terrill)
Mark J. Terrill
Graduated from UA in: 1971
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Shandling won an Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series in 1998 for "The Larry Sanders Show."
Ron Shelton
Graduated from UA in: 1974
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Shelton wrote and directed the film "White Men Can't Jump."
He also wrote and directed the film "Bull Durham" and co-wrote and directed the film "Tin Cup."
Peter H. Smith
Dr. Peter H. Smith is the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Integrated Science in the Department of Planetary Science. He has participated in numerous space missions throughout his long career and is the Principal Investigator of the Phoenix Mars mission. Handout photo.
Submitted photo
Graduated from UA in: 1977
Why he's famous: Science — astronomy
Notable accomplishment: Smith is the principal investigator for the $420 million Phoenix explorer. Phoenix landed on Mars in 2008.
J.T. Snow
Ex-Arizona star J.T. Snow's big bat leads San Francisco into the playoffs.
Handout photo
Began at UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Sports — baseball
Notable accomplishment: Snow is a six-time MLB Gold Glove Award winner.
Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam watches her ball after hitting from the fairway on the 18th hole during the first round of the LPGA Tournament of Champions at Magnolia Grove golf course in Mobile, Ala., Oct. 10, 2002. Sorenstam shot a 6-under 66 for the round. (AP Photo/Mobile Register, Bill Starling)
Bill Starling
Graduated from UA in: 1994
Why she's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Sorenstam was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.
Stephen Spinella
John Benjamin Hickey (Arthur), Stephen Spinella (Perry), Jason Alexander (Buzz), John Glover (John) and Randy Becker (Ramon) star in the Motion Picture: "Love! Valour! Compassion!"
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1979
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Spinella is known for his role as Rick Stokes in the film "Milk."
Mike Springer
Mike Springer of Fresno, Calif., watches the flight of his fairway shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the CVS Charity Classic in Sutton, Mass., July 24, 1998. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Charles Krupa
Graduated from UA in: 1984
Why he's famous: Sports — golf
Notable accomplishment: Springer won two PGA Tour events in 1994.
Jeff A. Stevens
University of Arizona donor Jeff Stevens, left, and football coach Rich Rodriguez, right, talk during a ceremony marking the reconstruction project and where Stevens received football memorabilia at the north end zone at Arizona Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, in Tucson, Ariz.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1986
Why he's famous: Business
Notable accomplishment: Stevens is the CEO, president and director of the oil refining company Western Refining, Inc.
In 2009, Jeff and his wife, Sharon Stevens, donated $10 million to University of Arizona Athletics. The relatively new Lowell-Stevens Football Facility on the UA campus is partially named after the Stevens family.
Ed Stokes
University of Arizona basketball player Ed Stokes and Ray Owes block the shot of a Santa Clara player during the Wildcats' game in the first round of the 1993 NCAA tournament.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1993
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: During his career at UA, Stokes had 644 rebounds and 167 blocked shots.
Clifford Stoll
Graduated from UA in: 1980 — Ph.D.
Why he's famous: Science — astronomy; Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Stoll is known for his 1989 book "The Cuckoo's Egg," which is a personal account of the hunt for a hacker who broke into a computer at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Damon Stoudamire
Arizona point guard Damon Stoudamire had 27 points and 10 rebounds in the Cats' 92-72 West Regional final win over No. 1-seed Missouri in 1994.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 1995
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Stoudamire was named as the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996.
Salim Stoudamire
Salim Stoudamire gets fouled in the second half by Alabama-Birmingham's #23 Demario Eddins at the Taco Bell Arena, March 19, 2005, in Boise, Idaho during the NCAA second round game. UA won 85-63.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 2005
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: While at UA, Stoudamire's 3-point field goal percentage was 45.8 percent. Only Steve Kerr had a higher 3-point field goal percentage while at UA.
Clay Templin
Clay Templin, Fire Staff Officer for the Tonto National Forest.
Submitted photo
Graduated from UA in: 1981
Why he's famous: Firefighter — Incident Commander
Notable accomplishment: Templin is currently the Fire Staff Officer for the Tonto National Forest. He's also one of only 16 Incident Commanders in the country. In addition, he was the Incident Commander during the Yarnell Hill Fire. He spoke to residents and answered their questions.
Jason Terry
Jason Terry slams home two of his 11 points against Arizona State on Jan. 15, 1999.
Mary Chind / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 1999
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Terry was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2009. He won an NCAA championship in 1997 at the UA and won an NBA championship in 2011.
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Vicki Lewis Thompson, a New York Times bestselling author and writer of more than 100 romance novels, sits for a portrait in her favorite writing chair in front of her fireplace on Aug. 22, 2013 in Tucson, Ariz.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Graduated from UA in: 1965
Why she's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: Thompson is a New York Times bestselling author of romance novels.
Tom Tolbert
Arizona's Tom Tolbert, left, and Mark Georgeson celebrate after their '88 game against North Carolina that advanced them into the final four.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 1988
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: During the 1987-88 season, Tolbert helped the UA reach the Final Four in 1988 by starting and playing in 38 games, which is tied for the UA school record for most games started and played in a single season.
Darian Townsend
Darian Townsend during warmups as he is does laps in Hillenbrand Aquatic Center pool May 16, 2012.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 2008
Why he's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Townsend was part of the South African men's 4x100 meter freestyle relay team that won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and broke the world record with a time of 3 minutes 13.17 seconds.
B. Randall "Randy" Tufts
Gary Tenen, left, and Randy Tufts climb into the original Kartchner Caverns opening that they discovered in November of 1974 and managed to keep secret for over 14 years.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star 1999
Graduated from UA in: 1972
What he's famous for: Along with Gary Tenen, he discovered Kartchner Caverns in 1974.
Notable Achievement: Tufts and Tenen kept their discovery of the caverns secret for 14 years until they were assured the caverns would be protected.
Tufts died in 2002.
Morris K. Udall
This is a 1952 file photo of longtime Arizona Congressman Morris K. "Mo" Udall.
Handout photo
Graduated from UA in: 1949
Why he's famous: Politics — House of Representatives
Notable accomplishment: Udall was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, 1961-91.
Stewart Udall
Stewart L. Udall, former secretary of the Interior under presidents Kennedy and Johnson, photographed at the Arizona Inn May 17, 2000. Udall, 80, was in town to address a conference about "alternative dispute resolution and natural resources, sponsored by the Morris K. Udall Foundation.
Chris Richards
Graduated from UA in: 1948
Why he's famous: Politics — U.S. House of Representatives
Notable accomplishment: Udall was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona. He then became the 37th U.S. Secretary of the Interior, under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
Amy Van Dyken
Gold medalist Amy Van Dyken holds her gold medal after winning the women's 50 meter freestyle at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, July 26, 1996. Van Dyken was chosen as The Associated Press female athlete of the year for 1996. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Lynne Sladky
Graduated from UA in: 1992
Why she's famous: Sports — swimming
Notable accomplishment: Van Dyken is the first American female to win four gold medals in one Olympic Games.
Bobby Wade
UA's #1 Bobby Wade catches the ball in the air to score a touchdown during first quarter of the UA vs UNLV game at the UA stadium on Sept. 22, 2001.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Left UA in: 2003
Why he's famous: Sports — football
Notable accomplishment: Wade led the NFC in punt returns for touchdowns in 2005.
Jack Wagner
Actor Jack Wagner laughs before teeing off on the first hole at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course during the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, July 22, 2012, in Stateline, Nev. (AP Photo/The Tahoe Tribune, Joe Proudman)
Joe Proudman
Graduated from UA in: 1982
Why he's famous: Arts — film
Notable accomplishment: Wagner won a Golden Rose Award in 2006 for best soap actor for his role as Dominick "Nick" Marone in "The Bold and the Beautiful."
Luke Walton
Wildcat senior Luke Walton shoots over the head of Saint Louis defender Drew Drejaj Dec. 6, 2002.
Francisco Medina / Tucson Citizen
Graduated from UA in: 2002
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Walton won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and '10. He was also selected as an All-Pac-10 First Team member twice, in 2002 and '03.
Gordon Willey
Graduated from UA in: 1935
Why he's famous: Archaeology
Notable accomplishment: Willey is known as "the dean of New World archaeology."
Brian Williams
Brian Williams of the University of Arizona falls to the floor begging for a foul against UCLA at Pauley Pavillion in Feb. 1991.
Rick Wiley / Tucson Citizen
Left UA in: 1991
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Williams won an NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1997.
Derrick Williams
University of Arizona's Derrick Williams dunks around a host of University of Washington Huskies in the first half in the championship game of the Pacific Life Pac-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the Staples Center on March 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Began at UA in: 2009
Why he's famous: Sports — basketball
Notable accomplishment: Williams, or "D-Will," was named as the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2011.
Merrill Windsor
Merrill Windsor pictured in the 1949 University of Arizona yearbook. Photo courtesy of University of Arizona Yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections.
Photo courtesy of University of Arizona Yearbooks, University of Arizona Special Collections
Graduated from UA in: 1949
Why he's famous: Arts — literature
Notable accomplishment: The late Merrill Windsor, a longtime journalist and former editor of Arizona Highways magazine, was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1949.
A recruitment partnership between the University of Arizona and Sunnyside Unified School District led to an 11% increase in the number of district students — many of them low-income — who attend a four-year college after graduation.
