List of Cornell University alumni

Notable Alumni of Cornell University

Cornell University, an Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York, has produced a multitude of distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article provides a comprehensive list of notable Cornell University alumni, categorized by their fields of achievement.

Academia and Research

Cornell University has a rich history of producing scholars and researchers who have made groundbreaking contributions to their respective fields.

**Barbara McClintock** - A pioneering cytogeneticist, McClintock was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for her discovery of genetic transposition. Her work on maize cytogenetics laid the foundation for modern genetics.
**Hans Bethe** - A theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1967 for his work on the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. Bethe was also a key figure in the development of quantum electrodynamics and nuclear physics.
**Richard Feynman** - Although he completed his undergraduate studies at MIT, Feynman earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University under the supervision of John Archibald Wheeler. He later became a renowned theoretical physicist, known for his work in quantum mechanics and particle physics.

Aerial view of Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Cornell alumni have founded and led some of the most influential companies in the world.

**David Duffield** - Co-founder of PeopleSoft, an enterprise software company, and Workday, a cloud-based financial management and human capital management software vendor. Duffield's innovations have significantly impacted the software industry.
**Irene Rosenfeld** - Former CEO of Mondelēz International, Rosenfeld has been recognized for her leadership in the food and beverage industry. She played a crucial role in the restructuring and growth of Kraft Foods.
**Ratan Tata** - Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata is a prominent industrialist and philanthropist. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded its global footprint and diversified its business portfolio.

Government and Politics

Cornell University has a long tradition of producing influential political leaders and public servants.

**Ruth Bader Ginsburg** - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ginsburg was a trailblazer for gender equality and women's rights. She earned her bachelor's degree from Cornell in 1954.
**Paul Wolfowitz** - Former President of the World Bank and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Wolfowitz has been a key figure in U.S. foreign policy and international development.
**Janet Reno** - The first woman to serve as Attorney General of the United States, Reno was a prominent figure in the Clinton administration and played a significant role in shaping U.S. law enforcement policies.

Science and Technology

Cornell alumni have made significant contributions to science and technology, advancing knowledge and innovation.

**Bill Nye** - Known as "The Science Guy," Nye is a science communicator, television presenter, and mechanical engineer. He has popularized science education through his television programs and public appearances.
**Robert Moog** - An engineer and pioneer in electronic music, Moog invented the Moog synthesizer, which revolutionized the music industry and electronic sound production.
**Steven Sinofsky** - A former President of the Windows Division at Microsoft, Sinofsky played a key role in the development and launch of Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Arts and Entertainment

Cornell University has produced numerous artists, writers, and entertainers who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

**Toni Morrison** - A Nobel Prize-winning author, Morrison is known for her profound and impactful novels exploring African American culture and history. She earned her master's degree in English from Cornell in 1955.
**Christopher Reeve** - An actor best known for his portrayal of Superman, Reeve was also an advocate for spinal cord injury research following his own paralysis.
**Kurt Vonnegut** - Although he did not graduate, Vonnegut attended Cornell and later became a renowned author known for his satirical and science fiction works, including "Slaughterhouse-Five."

Sports

Cornell alumni have excelled in various sports, achieving recognition and success at national and international levels.

**Ken Dryden** - A Hall of Fame ice hockey goaltender, Dryden played for the Montreal Canadiens and won six Stanley Cups. He is also an author, lawyer, and former Member of Parliament in Canada.
**Ed Marinaro** - A former NFL running back, Marinaro played for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. He later pursued a successful acting career, notably in the television series "Hill Street Blues."
**Kyle Dake** - A world champion wrestler, Dake is known for his achievements in freestyle wrestling, including multiple NCAA championships and international titles.