List of University of Idaho people

A list of notable alumni of the University of Idaho and a list of its presidents.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Alumni

Academia

• Ali Abdelghany - prominent Egyptian academic and marine biologist. Ph.D. '86.
• Lawrence H. Chamberlain - Dean of Columbia University in 1950. V.P. of Columbia in 1962. Class of '30.
• Donald Kirk David - Dean of Harvard Business School 1942–1955.

Business

• John B. Adams - president of Big O Tires, Grease Monkey, and Olympic torchbearer of 1996 and 2002 Olympic Games. Class of '76.
• William Agee - business executive. Class of '60.
• John Ascagua - casino & hotel owner (John Ascuaga's Nugget). Class of '51.
• Karl William Edmark, M.D. (1924–94) - cardiovascular surgeon, inventor of portable defibrillator, founder of Physio-Control Class of '42(?)
• Jack Lemley - Construction manager for Europe’s Channel Tunnel or "Chunnel," the undersea rail tube linking England and France. Class of '60.
• Gary G. Michael - chairman and CEO of Albertsons (1991–2001), interim UI president (2003–04). Class of '62.
• Frank Shrontz - former chairman and CEO (1986–96) of Boeing. Class of '54.
• Dean D. Thornton - former Boeing executive. Class of '52.
• Sharon Allen - Chairman of the Board, Deloitte and Touche USA. Class of '73.

Criminals

• Anthony Curcio - Former Vandal football player and real estate investor. Responsible for masterminding one of the most elaborate armored car heists in history.

Government

• James F. Amos - Commandant of the Marine Corps (2010–). Class of '70.
• Blaine Anderson - federal judge, U.S District Court (1971–76), U.S. Court of Appeals (1976–88). LL.B. '49.
• Phil Batt - Governor of Idaho (1995–99), UI chemical engineering student, withdrew in 1948 due to family hardship
• Roger Batzel - Director (1971–1988) of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Class of '47
• Terrel Bell - Secretary of Education (1981–85). M.A. '54.
• Mary (Thomas) Brooks - Director of the U.S. Mint - (1969–77). Class of '29. [1] [2]
• Dale Bosworth - Chief Forester, U.S. Forest Service - (2001–07). Class of '66.
• Hamer Budge - U.S. House (1951–61), headed SEC (1969–71). J.D. '36.
• Roger Burdick - Idaho Supreme Court justice (2003– ); Chief Justice (2011– ). J.D. '74.
• Pete Cenarrusa - longtime Secretary of State of Idaho, Class of '40
• Larry Craig - U.S. Senator (1991–2009), U.S. House (1981–91). Class of '69.
• Daniel Eismann - Idaho Supreme Court justice (2001– ); Chief Justice (2007–11). J.D. '76.
• Mark Felt - FBI special agent and associate director, Watergate informer "Deep Throat,". Class of '35.
• Abe Goff - U.S. House (1947–49), later served on ICC. LL.B. '24.
• Philip Habib - diplomat, special envoy to the Middle East under President Reagan. Class of '42.
• Joel Horton - Idaho Supreme Court justice (2007– ). J.D. '85.
• Dirk Kempthorne - Secretary of the Interior (2006–09); Governor of Idaho (1999–2006), U.S. Senator (1993–99), and Mayor of Boise (1985–93). Class of '75.
• Gus Kohntopp - Colonel in the Idaho Air National Guard, identified as one of two 190th Fighter Squadron pilots involved in the 190th Fighter Squadron, Blues and Royals friendly fire incident - March 28, 2003.
• Edward Lodge - federal judge, U.S District Court (1989– ). LL.B. '61.
• Jim McClure - U.S. Senator (1973–91), U.S. House (1967–73). LL.B. '50.
• Ray McNichols - federal judge, U.S District Court (1964–85). LL.B. '50.
• Tom Nelson - federal judge, U.S. Court of Appeals (1990–2009). LL.B. '62.
• Sarah Palin - Governor of Alaska (2006–09). Class of '87. B.A. Communications
• Mike O'Callaghan - Governor of Nevada (1971–79), B.S., M.Ed. '56
• Jim Risch - U.S. Senator (2009– ), Lieutenant Governor (2003–06, 2007–09) & Governor of Idaho (2006–07). Class of '65, J.D. '68.
• Harold Ryan - federal judge, U.S District Court (1981–95). LL.B. '50.
• Henry Lee Schatz - Agricultural economist with the Foreign Agricultural Service rescued from Iran in the Canadian Caper
• Steve Symms - U.S. Senator (1981–93), U.S. House (1973–81). Class of '60.
• Fred Taylor - U.S District Court judge (1954–88). LL.B. '26.
• Linda Copple Trout - first female Idaho Supreme Court justice (1992–2007) and Chief Justice (1997–2004). Class of '73, J.D. '77.
• Jesse Walters - Idaho Supreme Court justice (1997–2003), chief judge of the Idaho Court of Appeals (1982–97), J.D. '63
• Herman Welker - U.S. Senator (1951–57). LL.B. '29

Journalism

• Michael Kirk, documentary filmmaker and partial creator of Frontline. Class of '71
• Fenton Samual Roskelley - Fenton, while serving as a Master Sergeant with the 776th AA Automatic Weapons battalion, created the Rhine Valley News in Heidelberg, Germany in 1945, a newspaper for GI's stationed in Germany after the war. He was the first Outdoor editor for the Spokane Daily Chronicle and Spokesman Review and worked for these publications for 65 years. He also edited the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club's booklet, "Flies of the Northwest". (1917-2013) Journalism, Class of '40.

Literature and the arts

• Holden Bowler - Namesake of J.D. Salinger's character, Holden Caulfield, and soloist in the Robert Shaw Chorale. Attended from 1931 to 1935, but did not graduate.
• Carol Ryrie Brink - Author; winner of the John Newbery Medal in 1936 for her book Caddie Woodlawn, Moscow native, attended UI 1914–17.
• Canary Lee Burton - composer and classical music DJ
• Marilyn Denis - morning show co-host on CHUM-FM in Toronto, Ontario and TV show host of "CityLine" and "The Marilyn Denis Show"
• Bill Fagerbakke - American actor, television series Coach (1989–97); Voice of Patrick on SpongeBob SquarePants; Class of '81.
• Jim Lemley - Hollywood film producer who produced such films as Wanted (2008 film) and 9 (2009 animated film). Former CEO of Mel Gibson's Icon Productions International; Class of '88.
• Sean "Seanbaby" Reiley - Comedy writer and video game critic
• E.E. "Doc" Smith - Science fiction author who wrote the Lensman series and the Skylark series, among others. Class of '14.
• Brad Teare - American painter and illustrator.
• Bobbie Thomas - Style Editor for NBC's Today Show
• Rayce Bird - Make-up/Special Effects artist and the season two winner of SyFy's "Face Off".
• Rebecca Zanetti – romance novelist

Science

• Steven Amstrup M.S. '75 - polar bear researcher and conservationist
• Roger Batzel - see entry under Government
• Malcolm Renfrew - Polymer chemist, inventor, and professor emeritus. Contributor to the development of Teflon. Class of '32, M.S. '34
• Bob Twiggs - Rocket scientist and inventor of the CubeSat technology. Class of '61.

Sports

Olympics

• Kristin Armstrong '95, cyclist; 2008 & 2012 Olympic gold medalist (women's time trial)
• Hec Edmundson '10, state's first Olympian in 1912, (7th in 800 m, 6th in 400 m). (see entry under "Basketball")
• Dan O'Brien '93 - 1996 Olympic gold medalist (decathlon), 3-time world champion
• Joachim Olsen '02 - 2004 Olympic bronze medalist (shot put) for Denmark and NCAA champion
• Chris Stokes '87 - Five-time Olympic bobsledder for Jamaica
• Angela Whyte '03 - 2004 Olympic finalist (100 m hurdles) and 2008 representative for Canada and four-time NCAA All-American

Baseball

• Bob Dillinger - MLB third baseman; 3-time AL stolen base champion. Class of '40.
• Frank Reberger - MLB pitcher (1968–72). Class of '66.
• Ken Schrom - MLB pitcher (1980–87), former Vandal QB. Class of '77.
• Bill Stoneman - MLB pitcher (1967–74), threw two MLB no-hitters. GM of L.A. Angels (1999–2007). Class of '66.

Basketball

• Steve Belko - basketball head coach at Idaho State and Oregon, third commissioner of Big Sky Conference; also starred in football for Vandals. Class of '39.
• Hec Edmundson - basketball & track coach at UI & Washington. Class of '10.
• Gus Johnson - NBA star (power forward) - (1963–73). Played for Vandals during 1962–63 season. Class of '64.
• Dan Monson - basketball head coach at Long Beach State, formerly at Gonzaga & Minnesota. Class of '85.
• Don Monson - basketball head coach at UI (1978–83) & Oregon, father of Dan Monson. Class of '55.

Football

• Steve Buratto - CFL head coach - Calgary (1984–85) and British Columbia (2000–02). Class of '65.
• Tom Cable - NFL head coach - Oakland (2008–10) and UI head coach (2000–03). Class of '86.
• Spencer Folau - NFL guard (1997–2004). Class of '97.
• Ralph Foster - NFL tackle (1945–1946).
• John Friesz - NFL quarterback (1990–2000), 2006 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, 1989 Walter Payton Award winner. Class of '90.
• Mike Hollis - NFL placekicker (1995–2002). Class of '94.
• Ken Hobart - USFL & CFL quarterback. Class of '84.
• Bret Ingalls - Offensive Line Coach of the New Orleans Saints and 27 years in college football. Won 2009 Super Bowl XLIV in 1st season with Saints.
• Mike Iupati - NFL guard, San Francisco 49ers' first round draft pick, 17th overall. (2010–). Class of '10.
• Tony Knap - head coach at Utah State (1963–66), Boise State (1968–75), & UNLV (1976–81). Class of '39
• Jerry Kramer - NFL all-star guard, Green Bay Packers (1958–68), and author; 5 NFL titles & 2 Super Bowl wins. Class of '58.
• Scott Linehan - NFL head coach - St. Louis Rams (2006–08), former Vandal QB. Class of '87.
• Don Matthews - CFL head coach (1983–2008); five Grey Cup titles, over 200 CFL wins. Class of '64.
• Ray McDonald - NFL running back (1967–69), Washington Redskins' first round draft pick, 13th overall. Led nation in rushing in 1966. Class of '67.
• Sam Merriman - NFL linebacker (1983–87) - Seattle Seahawks. Class of '83.
• Yo Murphy - former NFL and CFL wide receiver. Class of '92.
• Doug Nussmeier - NFL quarterback (1994–97), 1993 Walter Payton Award winner. Michigan offensive coordinator. Class of '94.
• Jim Norton - AFL all-star safety and punter, Houston Oilers (1960–68). Class of '60.
• Ryan Phillips - NFL Linebacker (1997–2001), Class of '97.
• Jim Prestel - NFL defensive tackle (1960–67). Class of '60.
• Jeff Robinson - NFL tight end & long snapper (1993–2005, 2007), Super Bowl win with Rams. Class of '93.
• Mark Schlereth - NFL guard (1989-2000) with Redskins and Broncos, 3 Super Bowl wins. ESPN commentator. Class of '89.
• Jake Scott - NFL guard - (2004–12). Super Bowl title with Colts. Class of '03.
• Lyle Smith - head coach at Boise State (1947–67) and its athletic director (1968–81). Class of '39.
• Chris Tormey - head coach at UI (1995–99) & Nevada (2000–03), assistant at Washington and Washington State. Class of '78.
• David Vobora - linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks, 2008 Mr. Irrelevant. Class of '08.
• Wayne Walker - NFL all-star linebacker, Detroit Lions (1958–72), and sportscaster. Class of '58.
• Marvin Washington - NFL defensive end (1989–99). Class of '88.
• John Yarno - NFL center, Seattle Seahawks (1977–82). UI's first & only Div-I AP first team All-American (1976). Class of '77.

Faculty

Current

• Douglas Q. Adams, Emeritus Professor of English
• Kim Barnes, Professor of English
• Daniel Bukvich, Professor of Music
• Julia R. Burdge, Adjunct Associate Professor of Chemistry
• Ruprecht Machleidt, Professor of Physics
• Scott Minnich, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Daniel Orozco, Associate Professor of English
• J. Michael Scott, Emeritus Professor of Fish & Wildlife
• Jack Ernest Vincent, Emeritus Professor of Political Science
• Robert Wrigley, Professor of English

Former

• John Merton Aldrich, zoology
• Darrell Bolz, agricultural extension
• David Comer, electrical engineering
• James Gill, painting
• Gustaf Wilhelm Hammar, political science
• Ralph C. Hancock, political science
• Lawrence H. Johnston, physics
• Mary Kirkwood, painting
• Robert Peters, creative writing
• Malcolm Renfrew, chemistry
• Vern Rutsala, creative writing
• Roderick Sprague, anthropology and archaeology
• David B. Steinman, engineering
• Yvor Winters, creative writing
• Gordon Woods, veterinary science

Presidents of the University of Idaho

The following individuals have held the office of
President of the University of Idaho.

James H. Forney, (Acting)	1891–1892
Franklin B. Gault	1892–1898
Joseph P. Blanton	1898–1900
James Alexander MacLean	1900–1913
Melvin A. Brannon	1914–1917
Ernest H. Lindley	1917–1920
Alfred H. Upham	1920–1928
Frederick J. Kelly	1928–1930
Mervin G. Neale	1930–1937
Harrison C. Dale	1937–1946
Jesse E. Buchanan	1946–1954
Donald R. Theophilus	1954–1965
Ernest W. Hartung	1965–1977
Richard D. Gibb	1977–1989
Elisabeth A. Zinser	1989–1995
Thomas O. Bell, (Acting)	1995–1996
Robert A. Hoover	1996–2003
Gary G. Michael, (Interim)	2003–2004
Timothy P. White	2004–2008
Steven Daley-Laursen, (Interim)	2008–2009
M. Duane Nellis	2009–2013
Donald L. Burnett Jr., (Interim)	2013–2014
Chuck Staben	2014–present