Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York, September 29, 2023. Photo: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com
When most people think of Syracuse University, they probably picture a sea of orange shirts inside the dome on a Saturday afternoon. The school’s basketball and football programs have brought national attention to Central New York for generations. Yet some of the most recognizable names in American music, television, literature, science, and politics spent their college years on the same campus.
Syracuse University was chartered on March 24, 1870. Its first students began attending classes in rented rooms in downtown Syracuse in September 1871, while construction was underway on the campus. The Hall of Languages, designed by architect Horatio Nelson White and dedicated in 1873, became the first building on the hill. From those modest beginnings, Syracuse developed into one of the country’s major private research universities. Its university archives preserve the story of those early years.
The university developed particular strengths in broadcasting, journalism, and the performing arts. The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications helped establish Syracuse as a training ground for national broadcasters, while its drama department produced generations of Broadway and Hollywood stars. There is also a remarkable literary tradition at the university, alongside accomplishments in engineering, medicine, and space exploration.
What makes this list especially interesting is the variety of careers these graduates pursued. A future rock and roll legend studied English, a future travel television host studied musical theater, and an actor best known for playing a robotic police officer returned to school to study Renaissance art. Each of the following 25 people earned a degree from Syracuse University, rather than simply attending the school or receiving an honorary degree.
1. Joe Biden (Class of 1968)
Before he entered national politics, Joe Biden came to Central New York to study law. After completing his undergraduate education at the University of Delaware in 1965, he enrolled at Syracuse University’s College of Law and earned his Juris Doctor in 1968. He returned to Delaware, where he practiced law and entered local government as a member of the New Castle County Council.
In 1972, Biden won election to the United States Senate at the age of 29. He represented Delaware for 36 years before serving as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. In 2021, he became the 46th president of the United States, the first Syracuse graduate to hold that office. His son Beau also graduated from Syracuse’s law school in 1994. The College of Law maintains a record of their connections to the institution.
2. Dick Clark (Class of 1951)
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, Dick Clark developed an interest in broadcasting well before he finished college. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 with a degree in management, while gaining on-air experience at campus station WAER. His early broadcasting career included work in Syracuse and Utica before he moved to Philadelphia, where his association with the television program Bandstand began.
When American Bandstand went national on ABC in 1957, Clark brought the sound of the latest records and the dance steps of American teenagers into living rooms across the country. He went on to host the Pyramid game shows and establish the New Year’s Eve television tradition that carried his name. His production company became an important force in television entertainment. The Dick Clark Papers at Syracuse contain material from his extensive broadcasting career.
3. Lou Reed (Class of 1964)
Long before he became one of the defining figures of New York rock and roll, Lou Reed studied English at Syracuse University, graduating in 1964. A formative influence was poet and short-story writer Delmore Schwartz, who taught at Syracuse and encouraged Reed’s literary interests. Reed also explored music during his college years, developing an approach to songwriting that treated the lives of outsiders as worthy subjects of serious literature.
After college, Reed worked as a songwriter for Pickwick Records and became a founding member of the Velvet Underground. The group’s partnership with Andy Warhol and its 1967 debut album helped lay the groundwork for generations of alternative rock musicians. Reed’s solo career produced Transformer, Berlin, and New York, along with songs such as “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Perfect Day.” Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences recognizes him among its distinguished graduates.
4. Aaron Sorkin (Class of 1983)
Aaron Sorkin graduated from Syracuse University’s drama program in 1983. Although his eventual reputation would rest primarily on writing, his original ambitions involved acting. His theater education gave him experience with performance and the construction of dramatic scenes. After college, he moved to New York City and worked a variety of jobs while pursuing a career in the theater.
Sorkin first achieved widespread recognition with his play A Few Good Men, which reached Broadway in 1989 and became a major motion picture in 1992. He went on to create The West Wing and write screenplays for The Social Network, Moneyball, and Steve Jobs. He received an Academy Award for The Social Network. Through the university’s Sorkin in LA program, he has helped Syracuse students meet entertainment industry professionals.
5. Taye Diggs (Class of 1993)
Raised in Rochester, Taye Diggs remained in Upstate New York to pursue his college education. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1993 after studying musical theater. His training in singing, dancing, and acting prepared him for a career that would take him from the Broadway stage to Hollywood. He appeared in the 1994 Broadway revival of Carousel before joining a musical that became a cultural phenomenon.
In 1996, Diggs originated the role of Benjamin Coffin III in Jonathan Larson’s Rent. He expanded his career into film with How Stella Got Her Groove Back and The Best Man, and later appeared in the television series Private Practice and All American. His work has also extended to directing and writing children’s books. Syracuse honored him with its George Arents Award in 2013.
6. Vera Farmiga (Class of 1995)
Vera Farmiga grew up in a Ukrainian American family in New Jersey and studied acting at Syracuse University, graduating in 1995. The daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, she brought a distinctive cultural background to her training as a performer. Her early professional work included the Broadway production of Taking Sides and television appearances before she established herself in independent cinema.
Farmiga achieved a major breakthrough with her role in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed in 2006. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air and became familiar to horror audiences as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring films. Her portrayal of Norma Bates in the television series Bates Motel demonstrated yet another side of her work. Syracuse’s drama department includes her among its notable alumni.
7. Ted Koppel (Class of 1960)
Born in England to German Jewish parents who had fled Nazi Germany, Ted Koppel moved to the United States with his family in 1953. He entered Syracuse University at 16, studying speech and political science. At the campus radio station WAER, he worked his way up to program director. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960 before pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University.
Koppel became one of ABC News’ most respected correspondents, reporting on the Vietnam War and American foreign policy. The network’s coverage of the Iran hostage crisis evolved into Nightline, which Koppel anchored from 1980 until 2005. His interviews and international reporting made the late-night news program an American television institution. The Ted Koppel Collection at Syracuse documents his student broadcasting work as well as his professional career.
8. Mike Tirico (Class of 1988)
Mike Tirico grew up in Queens, New York, and earned bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and political science at Syracuse in 1988. Like several of the university’s best-known broadcasters, he gained practical experience at WAER. While attending Syracuse, he became the first recipient of the scholarship established by sportscaster Bob Costas, whose own broadcasting career had begun in the city.
Tirico joined ESPN in 1991 and became one of the network’s most recognizable voices, working on golf, basketball, football, and numerous other sporting events. He was the play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football from 2006 through 2015 before joining NBC in 2016. His NBC assignments have included the Olympic Games and Sunday Night Football. He has maintained close ties to the university, including service on its Board of Trustees.
9. Jerry Stiller (Class of 1950)
Jerry Stiller came to Syracuse after serving in the United States Army during World War II. The GI Bill helped make his college education possible, and he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in speech and dramatic art. His theatrical training preceded a long career in which he developed an extraordinary ability to turn everyday family arguments and frustrations into comedy.
Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, became one of America’s best-known comedy teams, appearing repeatedly on The Ed Sullivan Show. Decades later, Stiller found a new audience as George Costanza’s father Frank on Seinfeld, followed by his role as Arthur Spooner on The King of Queens. His son Ben Stiller also became a major figure in American comedy. Syracuse paid tribute to Jerry’s life and education in its 2020 remembrance.
10. Vanessa Williams (Class of 2008)
Vanessa Williams entered Syracuse University’s musical theater program in 1981. Her education was interrupted when she was crowned Miss America in September 1983, becoming the first Black woman to win the title. Unlike many performers who leave college to pursue professional opportunities, Williams eventually completed her remaining degree requirements. Syracuse awarded her a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2008, recognizing credits earned through her professional work.
Williams built a successful recording career beginning with her 1988 album The Right Stuff. Her hits included “Save the Best for Last” and “Colors of the Wind,” while her Broadway work included Kiss of the Spider Woman and Into the Woods. Television audiences also came to know her as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty. Her graduation, reported by the Associated Press in 2008, brought her educational journey full circle.
11. Frank Langella (Class of 1959)
Frank Langella studied drama at Syracuse University, graduating in 1959. During his college years he participated in the university’s Boar’s Head theatrical organization, a student group whose history stretches back to the early 20th century. The Boar’s Head archival collection records the involvement of both Langella and fellow graduate Jerry Stiller.
Langella went on to become a distinguished stage actor, winning Tony Awards for performances in Seascape, Fortune’s Fool, Frost/Nixon, and The Father. Movie audiences remember him as the title character in the 1979 film Dracula, a role he had also played on Broadway. He earned an Academy Award nomination for recreating his portrayal of Richard Nixon in the 2008 film adaptation of Frost/Nixon. His career has bridged classical theater, Hollywood films, and television.
12. Tom Everett Scott (Class of 1992)
Tom Everett Scott initially enrolled at Syracuse University as a communications student before turning to the theater. He earned his drama degree in 1992 and moved to New York City, where he and several college friends established a theater company. Like many aspiring actors, he supported himself with other jobs while looking for opportunities to perform.
Scott’s breakthrough came in 1996 when Tom Hanks cast him as drummer Guy Patterson in That Thing You Do!, a film about the rise of a fictional 1960s rock band. He later starred in An American Werewolf in Paris and appeared in Boiler Room and La La Land. His television credits include Southland and I’m Sorry. His 1992 graduation is also documented in his TV Guide biography.
13. Eileen Collins (Class of 1978)
Born in Elmira, New York, Eileen Collins began her higher education at Corning Community College before transferring to Syracuse. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics in 1978 and participated in Air Force ROTC. Her career in military aviation and flight instruction led to her selection as a NASA astronaut in 1990.
Collins became the first woman to pilot a space shuttle during the Discovery mission STS-63 in 1995. Four years later, she became the first woman to command a space shuttle mission, flying Columbia on STS-93. In 2005, she commanded Discovery’s return-to-flight mission following the Columbia disaster. Her achievements represent an extraordinary chapter in the history of women in aviation. NASA’s biography documents her education and pioneering career.
14. Story Musgrave (Class of 1958)
Franklin Story Musgrave earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and statistics from Syracuse University in 1958. It was the beginning of an extraordinary academic record that eventually included six earned degrees, among them a medical degree from Columbia University. His interests ranged from engineering and physiology to literature, making him an unusually versatile candidate for the space program.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1967, Musgrave flew six shuttle missions and became the only astronaut to fly aboard all five operational space shuttle orbiters. In 1993, he participated in the first servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, performing spacewalks that helped restore its scientific capabilities. The mission proved crucial to the future of the observatory. His extensive academic background is documented in NASA’s Astronaut Fact Book.
15. Kathrine Switzer (Class of 1968)
Kathrine Switzer studied English at Syracuse University, earning her undergraduate degree in 1968 and a graduate degree in 1972. While a student, she trained with the men’s cross-country team, at a time when opportunities for women in competitive distance running were extremely limited. With encouragement from coach Arnie Briggs, she entered the 1967 Boston Marathon using her initials, K. V. Switzer.
When a race official attempted to remove her from the course, Switzer continued running and finished. She became the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon as an officially registered entrant, although other women had run the course before her. She later won the 1974 New York City Marathon and advocated internationally for women’s distance running. Her efforts helped expand opportunities for women in sports, far beyond her own competitive achievements. Syracuse invited her to deliver its commencement address in 2018.
16. Steve Kroft (Class of 1967)
Steve Kroft earned his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1967 before entering the United States Army. During the Vietnam War he worked as a military journalist. After his service, he returned to Syracuse and reported for WSYR-TV, gaining additional experience in local television news before earning a master’s degree in journalism at Columbia University.
Kroft joined CBS News in 1980 and covered international events before becoming a correspondent for 60 Minutes in 1989. Over three decades with the program, he reported on subjects ranging from the financial crisis to international conflicts and American presidential politics. His career earned numerous Emmy and Peabody awards. Syracuse’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs documents his military service and journalism career.
17. Larry Csonka (Class of 1968)
Larry Csonka graduated from Syracuse University in 1968 after establishing himself as one of the outstanding fullbacks in college football. Playing alongside Floyd Little for part of his Syracuse career, Csonka became the school’s leading career rusher at the time and earned All-America honors. The Miami Dolphins selected him in the first round of the 1968 professional football draft.
Csonka became a central figure in the Dolphins’ 1972 undefeated season and helped the team win consecutive Super Bowls. He was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl VIII and later played for the New York Giants before finishing his NFL career in Miami. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. His graduation and college achievements are recorded by Syracuse University Athletics, which retired his number 39.
18. Joyce Carol Oates (Class of 1960)
Joyce Carol Oates was born in Lockport and grew up in rural Niagara County. She attended Syracuse University on a scholarship, graduating in 1960 with a degree in English. She continued her studies at the University of Wisconsin before establishing herself as a writer. The geography and social life of Western New York would remain important elements of her fiction.
Oates became one of America’s most prolific literary writers, publishing novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Her novel them won the National Book Award, while later works such as We Were the Mulvaneys and Blonde attracted wide readership. She also taught creative writing at Princeton University. Her body of work explores American family life, violence, class, and identity with a range that extends across many literary genres.
19. Chris Renaud (Class of 1989)
Chris Renaud earned a degree in illustration from Syracuse University in 1989. His early professional work included graphic design and comic-book illustration, with assignments for Marvel and DC Comics. He eventually moved into animation, joining Blue Sky Studios and working on projects that helped him develop the skills needed to direct animated films.
Renaud co-directed the 2010 animated feature Despicable Me with Pierre Coffin, introducing audiences to Gru and the Minions. The success of that film led to a major franchise. His directing credits also include Despicable Me 2, The Lorax, and The Secret Life of Pets. His transition from a Syracuse illustration student to a leading animation director is documented in this EBSCO biographical profile.
20. Jessie Mueller (Class of 2005)
Jessie Mueller grew up in an Illinois family of actors and graduated from Syracuse University in 2005. She began her professional career in regional theater, performing in productions around Chicago before moving into Broadway work. Her background in musical theater helped her develop as both an actress and a singer, a combination that became particularly important in her breakthrough role.
Mueller won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She later originated the role of Jenna in the Broadway production of Waitress and played Julie Jordan in the 2018 revival of Carousel, receiving Tony nominations for both. Her success adds another remarkable chapter to Syracuse’s history of producing leading musical theater performers.
21. Drew Taggart (Class of 2012)
Andrew “Drew” Taggart grew up in Maine and studied music business through Syracuse University’s Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries. He earned his degree in 2012, combining his interest in producing music with an education in the business surrounding it. Shortly after graduation, he met Alex Pall in New York City and joined him in the electronic music project known as the Chainsmokers.
The duo achieved a breakthrough with “#Selfie” in 2014, followed by a string of major hits including “Roses,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “Closer.” The latter, featuring Halsey, spent 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The Chainsmokers won a Grammy Award for “Don’t Let Me Down.” In a 2017 Forbes interview, Taggart described how his years producing music at Syracuse preceded the partnership that launched his career.
22. Samantha Brown (Class of 1992)
Samantha Brown studied musical theater at Syracuse and graduated in 1992. Her original ambition was to work in the theater rather than become a travel journalist. After college, she moved to New York City, where she spent years auditioning, performing in small productions, and working as a waitress before an opportunity in television took her career in a different direction.
Brown began hosting Great Vacation Homes for the Travel Channel in 1999 and subsequently presented Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, and other travel programs. In 2018, she launched Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, which earned Daytime Emmy awards. Her focus on the people who live in the destinations she visits has distinguished her approach to travel television. Her theatrical training remains an interesting link between her Syracuse education and the career she eventually built.
23. Robert Jarvik (Class of 1968)
Robert Jarvik graduated from Syracuse University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Originally interested in architecture and mechanical design, he turned toward medicine after his father developed serious heart problems. Jarvik went on to study biomechanics at New York University and earned his medical degree at the University of Utah.
Working with a team of researchers, including pioneers in artificial-heart development, Jarvik developed the device known as the Jarvik-7. In 1982, surgeon William DeVries implanted it in Barney Clark, whose failing heart was replaced by the mechanical device. Although early permanent implants revealed serious medical limitations, the work advanced research into mechanical circulatory support. Syracuse’s Fearless Firsts project recognizes Jarvik’s contribution to medical engineering.
24. Peter Weller (Class of 2005)
Peter Weller took a rather unusual route to his degree from Syracuse University. By the time he pursued graduate studies in art history, he was already an established actor. Weller earned his master’s degree from Syracuse in 2005, studying a field quite different from the science fiction films that had made him famous. He subsequently earned a doctorate in art history from UCLA.
Weller’s acting career included the cult favorite The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and his best-known role as Alex Murphy in RoboCop and RoboCop 2. He also appeared in David Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch and directed episodes of television dramas. His serious academic interest in Renaissance art makes him one of the more surprising entries on this list. Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences records his graduate degree among its notable alumni.
25. Jim Morris (Classes of 1977 and 1978)
Jim Morris earned a bachelor’s degree in film in 1977 and a master’s degree in television and radio in 1978 from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. As a student, he filmed the university’s basketball team during Jim Boeheim’s first season as head coach. His early professional career included work at television stations in Syracuse before he moved to California and entered film production.
Morris spent many years at Industrial Light & Magic, overseeing visual effects work on films such as Jurassic Park and Forrest Gump. He later joined Pixar, producing the Academy Award-winning animated feature WALL-E and becoming president of the studio. His contributions to modern animation and visual effects have helped shape the way several generations experience movies. His official Pixar biography confirms his two Syracuse degrees.
More Famous College Graduates From New York
From the early days of radio to the latest advances in animation and medicine, Syracuse University’s graduates have contributed to an extraordinary range of American achievements. The school is certainly famous for its athletic programs, but its influence can also be heard in the music we listen to, seen in the movies we watch, and found in the history of science and public service.
For more stories about the people and educational institutions of New York, explore our articles on 25 Famous People You Didn’t Know Graduated From Binghamton University, 25 Famous People Who Attended College in Upstate New York, 25 Famous People You Didn’t Know Were From Syracuse, New York, and The 10 Most Visually Stunning and Scenic College Campuses in Upstate New York.
