List of North Carolina State University people

Academics

• Annie Antón (professor 1998–2012), professor of software engineering and founder of ThePrivacyPlace
• David E. Aspnes (professor 1992–present), Distinguished University Professor and member of the National Academy of Sciences
• William Brantley Aycock (B.S. Education 1936), former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill chancellor
• John Balaban (professor ca. 2000–present), poet
• Donald Bitzer (professor 1989–2024), "father" of plasma television
• Frank A Buckless (professor 1989–present), KPMG professor and department head of Accounting at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management
• Karen Bullock (Bachelors of Social Work, 1990), sociologist, clinical social worker, and academic
• Albert Carnesale (PhD Nuclear Engineering 1966; faculty member 1962–1969), UCLA chancellor
• Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg (Ph.D. computer engineering), 11th president of the University of Tampa
• Carol Fowler Durham (Ed.D. Adult Education 2009), professor of nursing and medical simulation leader at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Donald J. Farish (M.S. Entomology, 1966), biologist and president of Rowan University
• William C. Friday (B.S. Textile Engineering 1941), former president of the University of North Carolina
• Eduardo Halfon, Guatemalan writer^[1]
• John Kessel (professor 1982–present), science-fiction author
• Steven Kuehl (M.S. 1982; Ph.D. 1983), professor of marine geology
• Dorianne Laux (professor ca. 2008–present), poet
• Trudy Mackay (professor 1987–present), quantitative geneticist, winner of the Wolf Prize in Agriculture in 2016^[2]
• Bruce D. McDonald III (M.Ed. 2021), professor of Public Budgeting and Finance at North Carolina State University
• Sarah Nusser (master's, botany, 1983), statistician and vice president of research at Iowa State University
• Gwen Pearson (graduate, biology, 1992)
• Lisa M. Porter (PhD materials science 1993), professor of Materials Science at Carnegie Mellon University
• Tom Regan (professor 1967–present), philosopher and animal rights activist
• John M. Riddle (professor ca. 1965–2005), historian and author of Eve's Herbs
• Robert Rodman (professor 1973–2017), professor of computer science, author of Introduction to Language
• Mary Schweitzer (professor 2003–present), paleontologist
• Charles Edward Stevens (professor 1980–1992), professor and expert in comparative physiology and digestive systems
• Blake Ragsdale Van Leer, former dean of Engineering at North Carolina State University and president of Georgia Tech
• Rodney Waschka II (professor 1990–present), composer
• Gregory Washington (PhD Mechanical Engineering 1994), president of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; former dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at University of California, Irvine^[3]
• Elizabeth Whittaker, architect, founder of Merge Architects and associate professor in Practice of Architecture at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design
• R. V. Young (professor), Renaissance English literature scholar, co-founder of the John Donne Journal
• Khodr Zaarour (professor, 2024–present), scholar in international relations and founder of the Muslim American Public Affairs Council^[4]

Athletics

• Abdul-Malik Abu (born 1995), basketball player in the Israeli Premier Basketball League
• Nazmi Albadawi, midfielder for NASL club Carolina Railhawks
• Debbie Antonelli (Business Management and Economics 1986), basketball broadcaster and analyst^[5]
• BeeJay Anya (2017 graduate), 2015 ACC Sixth Man of the year, current free agent^[6]
• Patrick Bailey, catcher for the Cleveland Guardians
• Thurl Bailey (1983), former NBA player^[7]
• Cat Barber, NBA player, attended (2013–16)
• Joan Benoit, won the first Women's Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles; former world record holder in the marathon; member of US Olympic Hall of Fame^[8]
• Andrew Brackman (2005), pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds^[9]
• Jacoby Brissett, NFL quarterback for Arizona Cardinals
• Dario Brose (1992), former professional soccer player for France and Germany, San Jose Earthquakes; 1992 Olympic soccer team^[10]
• Lorenzo Brown (born 1990), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, formerly in the NBA
• Ted Brown (born 1957), football player, Minnesota Vikings
• D.J. Burns (2024), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Darrion Caldwell (2011), 2009 national wrestling champion at 149lbs; professional mixed martial artist, competing for Bellator MMA^{[11][non-primary source needed]}
• Alan-Michael Cash, defensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes^[12]
• Tim Clark, PGA Tour golfer; winner of the Players Championship in 2010^[13]
• Beth Cochran, U Sports All-Canadian basketball player; inductee of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum^[14]
• Chris Colmer (2005), offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers^[15]
• Chris Corchiani (1991), former NBA player^[16]
• Jerricho Cotchery (2004), football player, Carolina Panthers^[17]
• Bill Cowher (B.S. Education 1979), football, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers^[18]
• Vinny Del Negro (1988), former NBA head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers^[19]
• Jonathan Diaz, MLB player for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Johnny Evans, NFL and CFL quarterback and punter; current radio sportscaster for NC State football
• Charlotte Flair (B.S. Public Relations 2008), real name Ashley Fliehr, WWE wrestler^[20]
• David Fox (B.S. Civil Engineering 1994), 1996 Olympic swimmer^[21]
• Lennard Freeman (born 1995), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League^[22]
• Roman Gabriel (B.S. Education 1962), football player^[23]
• Mike Glennon, NFL quarterback^[24]
• Bubba Green, former NFL lineman^[25]
• Tom Gugliotta (1992), former NBA player^[26]
• Frank Harris, former National Football League player, Chicago Bears^[27]
• Lloyd Harrison (B.S. Business 2000), retired National Football League player^[28]
• J.J. Hickson (attended 2007–2008), NBA player^[29]
• Julius Hodge (B.A. Communications 2005), NBA player, Denver Nuggets, No. 20 pick in the 2005 NBA draft^[30]
• Cole Holcomb (2019), NFL linebacker
• Terrence Holt (B.A. Sociology 2004, attended 1999–2001), football player^[31]
• Torry Holt (B.A. Sociology 1998), retired National Football League player^[32]
• Richard Howell (born 1990), American-Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League^[33]
• John Huzvar, football player^[34]
• Markell Johnson (2020 graduate), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League^[35]
• Cullen Jones, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, 4x100 freestyle relay; 2012 Olympic gold medalist, 4x100 medley relay^[36]
• Trevor Lacey (attended 2014–2015), professional basketball player for Dinamo Sassari^[37]
• Manny Lawson (B.S. Industrial Engineering 2006), football player, Buffalo Bills^[38]
• Justine Lindsay, first transgender National Football League cheerleader, Carolina TopCats^[39]
• Sean Locklear (2004), NFL offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks^[40]
• Sidney Lowe (1983), former NBA player; former head coach of the North Carolina State University basketball team^[41]
• Caleb Martin (attended 2014–2016), NBA player^[42]
• Cody Martin (attended 2014–2016), NBA player^[43]
• Pablo Mastroeni (attended 1994–1997), soccer player, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids; represented the US in the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006^[44]
• Cory Mazzoni, MLB player for the San Diego Padres
• Nate McMillan (attended 1985–1986), former NBA player; former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers^[45]
• Cozell McQueen, starting center on 1983 NCAA Championship Team^[46]
• Joe Milinichik, former National Football League player, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers^[47]
• Colt Morton, former baseball catcher for the San Diego Padres and player for the Sugar Land Skeeters^[48]
• Chuck Nevitt (1982), former NBA player^[49]
• Les Palmer, football player^[50]
• Carl Pettersson, PGA Tour golfer^[51]
• Dan Plesac, former MLB player, 3x All-star^[52]
• Mike Quick (1982), former star NFL wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (1982–90), and current Eagles' radio broadcaster^[53]
• Tab Ramos (attended 1984–1987, B.A. Foreign Language and Literature 2003), soccer player, MetroStars; represented the US in the FIFA World Cup in 1990, 1994, and 1998^[54]
• Lamont Reid (B.S. PRT 2005), NFL player, Denver Broncos^[55]
• Mike Reid, NFL defensive back Philadelphia Eagles^[56]
• Philip Rivers (B.S. Business 2003), football player, San Diego Chargers, No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL draft^[57]
• Dave Robertson, former MLB player, 1922 World Series Champion
• Koren Robinson, football player, Green Bay Packers, No. 9 pick in the 2001 NFL draft^[58]
• Carlos Rodón, pitcher for Chicago White Sox^[59]
• Joe Scarpati, football player, Green Bay Packers, holder for Tom Dempsey's record breaking 63-yard field goal
• Scott Schweitzer, professional soccer player^[60]
• Cedric Simmons (attended 2004–2006), NBA player, Chicago Bulls; No. 15 pick in the 2006 NBA draft^[61]
• Dennis Smith Jr. (attended 2016–17), 2016–2017 ACC Rookie of the Year, No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, NBA player for the Detroit Pistons^[62]
• Vic Sorrell (head baseball coach 1946–1966), played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball^[63]
• Doug Strange, retired Major League Baseball player^[64]
• Craig Sutherland, professional soccer player^[65]
• Sylvester Terkay, professional wrestler^[66]
• Joe Thuney, NFL player for the Chicago Bears
• Pat Thomas, football player, Omaha Nighthawks^[67]
• Pete Thomas, football player^[68]
• David Thompson (B.A. Sociology 2003, attended 1971–1975), retired NBA and ABA player^[69]
• Jim Toman (B.A. Vocational Industrial Education 1985, M.A. Sports Management 1995), college baseball coach at Liberty^[70]
• Trea Turner, MLB player for Philadelphia Phillies^[71]
• Jim Valvano, head coach of men's basketball for NC State's National Championship (1983)^[72]
• Fernandus Vinson, NFL player^[73]
• T. J. Warren (attended 2012–2014), NBA player, Indiana Pacers; won 2014 ACC Player of the Year^[74]
• Spud Webb (attended 1983–1984), NBA player, Atlanta Hawks; won 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest^[75]
• C. J. Williams (born 1990), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Mario Williams (attended 2003–2005), football player, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills; No. 1 pick in the 2006 NFL draft^[76]
• Adrian Wilson (attended 1998–2001), football player, Arizona Cardinals^[77]
• Russell Wilson (2010 graduate), NFL football player, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl Champion^[78]
• Tracy Woodson, retired Major League Baseball player^[79]

Business

Media and entertainment

• Randy Boone (attended early 1960s), actor and singer
• Bill Burr (attended in the late 1980s; did not graduate), comedian, actor, writer, and podcaster^[82]
• Amanda Busick (B.S. Entrepreneurship major 2008), sideline/pit reporter and host for FOX Sports and Motor Trend
• Brett Claywell (B.S. Architecture 2001), actor
• John H. Davis (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering 1970), host and creator of the PBS television program MotorWeek since the program's inception in 1981
• Dawn (Computer Science 2020), contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race season 16
• Zach Galifianakis (Communication and Film major circa 1987; did not graduate), comedian, actor, writer
• Terry Gannon (B.A. History 1985), ABC sports commentator and member of the 1983 NCAA Championship Team
• Connie B. Gay (B.S. Agricultural Education 1935), music executive and founding president of the Country Music Association
• Michael Gracz (B.S. Business 2004), professional poker player
• Brian Heidik, winner of Survivor: Thailand
• Chris Hondros, war photographer; killed in Libya in 2011
• Tim Kirkman (B.E.D. Design 1990), film writer, director
• Ken Matthews (B.A. in Political Science 1984), radio show host, professional speaker
• Scotty McCreery, American Idol champion; country singer
• Rhett McLaughlin (Civil Engineering 2000), Internet personality
• A.D. Miles (B.A. Communications 1992), head writer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Link Neal (Industrial Engineering 2001), Internet personality
• Roy H. Park (B.A. 1931), communications executive
• T. R. Pearson (B.A. and M.A. in English), novelist
• Jerry Punch (B.S. Pre-Med 1975), sideline reporter and auto racing analyst for ESPN and ABC
• Rapsody, rapper and songwriter
• Jon Reep (B.A. Communications, 1996), comedian and winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing, season 5 (2007)
• Leah Roberts, Spanish and anthropology major; withdrew at end of 1999 and disappeared on a trip to Washington state in March 2000
• John Tesh (B.A. Communication 1975), musician, television presenter
• Tab Thacker (B.A. Criminal Justice), Police Academy actor; NCAA champion wrestler
• Lara Trump (B.A. Communications 2005), television host and producer; daughter-in-law of the 45th U.S. president, Donald Trump^[83]
• Jill Wagner (B.A. Management 2001), actress

Military

• Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin (B.S. 1980), commander U.S. Seventh Fleet
• Rear Admiral Winford W. Barrow, commander of the Eighth District of the U.S. Coast Guard
• Admiral Daryl L. Caudle (B.S. 1985), commander United States Fleet Forces Command
• General Anthony J. Cotton (B.A. 1986), USAF, commander Air Force Global Strike Command
• Lieutenant General Buster Glosson (B.S. Electrical Engineering 1965), U.S. Air Force, deputy chief of staff for plans and operations of U.S. Air Force, Washington DC; during the Gulf War, commanded the 14th Air Division (provisional); director of campaign plans for U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Lieutenant General William E. Ingram Jr. (B.S. 1970), United States Army director of the Army National Guard
• Major General William C. Lee (B.S. 1917), first commander of the 101st Airborne Division
• General Dan K. McNeill (B.S. 1968), commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force
• General Raymond Odierno (M.S. Nuclear Effects Engineering), Chief of Staff of the United States Army; commanding general, Multi-national Force, Iraq; commanding general Fort Hood and U.S. Army III Corps
• General Hugh Shelton (B.S. Textile Technology 1963), former chairman of the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff
• General Maxwell R. Thurman (B.S. Chemical Engineering 1953), US Army general; vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army; first four-star officer at NCSU
• Blake Wayne Van Leer, commander and captain in the U.S. Navy; lead SeaBee program and lead the nuclear research and power unit at McMurdo Station during Operation Deep Freeze
• John Ray Webster, captain in the U.S. Army
• Eli L. Whiteley (M.S. 1948), Medal of Honor recipient^[84]

Politics

Science and technology

• Marshall Brain (M.S. Computer Science 1989, Instructor 1986–1992), founder of HowStuffWorks
• David Carroll (B.S. Physics 1985), director of the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University
• Lianne Gonsalves (B.S. Biological Sciences, 2010), research scientist and technical officer at the World Health Organization, Geneva^[112]
• James Goodnight (B.S. Applied Mathematics 1965, M.S. Experimental Statistics 1968, PhD Statistics 1972, faculty member 1972–1976), CEO of SAS Institute
• Jody L. Gookin, distinguished professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and she is a Chancellor’s University Faculty Scholar at North Carolina State University^[113]
• Terry Hershner (studied Mechanical and Electrical Engineering 1997–2000), electric vehicle advocate and record holder; owner of Off The Grid
• Wes Jackson (PhD Genetics 1967), founder of the Land Institute
• Angie Jones (M.S. Computer Science 2010), holds 26 patented inventions in the United States of America and Japan
• Paul Jones (B.S. Computer Science), poet and director of ibiblio digital library
• Munir Ahmad Khan (M.S. Electrical Engineering, 1953), reactor engineer and chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission 1972–1991
• Christina Koch (B.S. Electrical Engineering 2001, B.S. Physics 2002, M.S. Electrical Engineering 2002), astronaut, Artemis II Moon traveler^[114]
• John S. Mayo (B.S., M.S., PhD Electrical Engineering), engineer and seventh president of Bell Labs
• Freda Porter, applied mathematician and environmental scientist known as one of the first Native American women to earn a PhD in the mathematical sciences^[115]
• Anand Lal Shimpi (B.S. Electrical Engineering 2004), founder of AnandTech
• Katharine Stinson (B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1941), first female engineering graduate, first female engineer hired by Federal Aviation Administration^[116]
• Mark Templeton (Bachelor of Environmental Design 1975), president and CEO of Citrix Systems

Presidents

• Alexander Q. Holladay, 1889–1899
• George T. Winston, 1899–1908
• Daniel H. Hill, Jr., 1908–1916
• Wallace Carl Riddick, 1916–1923
• Eugene C. Brooks, 1923–1934

Dean of Administration

• John W. Harrelson, 1934–1945

Chancellors

• John W. Harrelson, 1945–1953
• Carey Hoyt Bostian, 1953–1959
• John T. Caldwell, 1959–1975
• Jackson A. Rigney (interim), 1975
• Joab Thomas, 1975–1981
• Nash Winstead (interim), 1981–1982
• Bruce Poulton, 1982–1989
• Larry K. Monteith, 1989–1998
• Marye Anne Fox, 1998–2004
• Robert A. Barnhardt (interim), 2004
• James L. Oblinger, 2005–2009
• James H. Woodward (interim), 2009–2010
• Randy Woodson, 2010–2025
• Kevin Howell, 2025–present