List of North Carolina State University people. The list of North Carolina State University people includes alumni, faculty, and chief executives of North Carolina State University.

Alumni, faculty, and former students

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–present), 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 an 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
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
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–present), 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), dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at University of California, Irvine
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

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
BeeJay Anya (2017 graduate), 2015 ACC Sixth Man of the year, current free agent
Patrick Bailey, catcher for the San Francisco Giants
Thurl Bailey (1983), former NBA player
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
Andrew Brackman (2005), pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
Jacoby Brissett, NFL quarterback for Indianapolis Colts
Dario Brose (1992), former professional soccer player for France and Germany, San Jose Earthquakes; 1992 Olympic soccer team
Lorenzo Brown (born 1990), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, formerly in the NBA
Ted Brown (born 1957), football player, Minnesota Vikings
Darrion Caldwell (2011), 2009 national wrestling champion at 149lbs; professional mixed martial artist, competing for Bellator MMA
Alan-Michael Cash, defensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes
Tim Clark, PGA Tour golfer; winner of the Players Championship in 2010
Beth Cochran, U Sports All-Canadian basketball player; inductee of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Chris Colmer (2005), offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Corchiani (1991), former NBA player
Jerricho Cotchery (2004), football player, Carolina Panthers
Bill Cowher (B.S. Education 1979), football, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Vinny Del Negro (1988), former NBA Head Coach of the Los Angeles Clippers
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
David Fox (B.S. Civil Engineering 1994), 1996 Olympic swimmer
Lennard Freeman (born 1995), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Roman Gabriel (B.S. Education 1962), football player
Mike Glennon, NFL quarterback
Bubba Green, former NFL lineman
Tom Gugliotta (1992), former NBA player
Frank Harris, former National Football League player, Chicago Bears
Lloyd Harrison (B.S. Business 2000), retired National Football League player
J.J. Hickson (attended 2007–2008), NBA player
Julius Hodge (B.A. Communications 2005), NBA player, Denver Nuggets, No. 20 pick in the 2005 NBA draft
Cole Holcomb (2019), NFL linebacker
Terrence Holt (B.A. Sociology 2004, attended 1999–2001), football player
Torry Holt (B.A. Sociology 1998), retired National Football League player
Richard Howell (born 1990), American-Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
John Huzvar, football player
Markell Johnson (2020 graduate), professional basketball player
Cullen Jones, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, 4x100 freestyle relay; 2012 Olympic gold medalist, 4x100 medley relay 
Trevor Lacey (attended 2014–2015),professional basketball player for Dinamo Sassari
Manny Lawson (B.S. Industrial Engineering 2006), football player, Buffalo Bills
Justine Lindsay, first transgender National Football League cheerleader, Carolina TopCats
Sean Locklear (2004), NFL offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks
Sidney Lowe (1983), former NBA player; former head coach of the North Carolina State University basketball team 
Caleb Martin (attended 2014–2016), NBA player
Cody Martin (attended 2014–2016), NBA player
Pablo Mastroeni (attended 1994–1997), soccer player, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids; represented the US in the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006
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
Cozell McQueen, starting center on 1983 NCAA Championship Team 
Joe Milinichik, former National Football League player, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers
Colt Morton, former baseball catcher for the San Diego Padres and player for the Sugar Land Skeeters
Chuck Nevitt (1982), former NBA player
Les Palmer, football player
Carl Pettersson, PGA Tour golfer 
Dan Plesac, former MLB player, 3x All-star
Mike Quick (1982), former star NFL wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (1982–90), and current Eagles' radio broadcaster 
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
Lamont Reid (B.S. PRT 2005), NFL player, Denver Broncos
Mike Reid, NFL defensive back Philadelphia Eagles
Philip Rivers (B.S. Business 2003), football player, San Diego Chargers, No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL draft
Dave Robertson, former MLB player, 1922 World Series Champion
Koren Robinson, football player, Green Bay Packers, No. 9 pick in the 2001 NFL draft
Carlos Rodón, pitcher for Chicago White Sox
Joe Scarpati, football player, Green Bay Packers, holder for Tom Dempsey's record breaking 63-yard field goal
Scott Schweitzer, professional soccer player
Cedric Simmons (attended 2004–2006), NBA player, Chicago Bulls; No. 15 pick in the 2006 NBA draft 
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
Vic Sorrell (head baseball coach 1946–1966), played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball
Doug Strange, retired Major League Baseball player
Craig Sutherland, professional soccer player
Sylvester Terkay, professional wrestler 
Joe Thuney, NFL player for the New England Patriots
Pat Thomas, football player, Omaha Nighthawks
Pete Thomas, football player
David Thompson (B.A. Sociology 2003, attended 1971–1975), retired NBA and ABA player
Jim Toman (B.A. Vocational Industrial Education 1985, M.A. Sports Management 1995), college baseball coach at Liberty
Trea Turner, MLB player for Washington Nationals 
Jim Valvano, head coach of Men's Basketball for NC State's National Championship (1983)
Fernandus Vinson, NFL player
T. J. Warren (attended 2012–2014), NBA player, Indiana Pacers; won 2014 ACC Player of the Year
Spud Webb (attended 1983–1984), NBA player, Atlanta Hawks; won 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
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
Adrian Wilson (attended 1998–2001), football player, Arizona Cardinals
Russell Wilson (2010 graduate), NFL football player, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl Champion
Tracy Woodson, retired Major League Baseball player

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
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
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
Jill Wagner (B.A. Management 2001), actress

Military
Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin (B.S. 1980), Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet
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

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 
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
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
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
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
Mark Templeton (Bachelor of Environmental Design 1975), President and CEO of Citrix Systems

Chief executives of the University

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
William R. Woodson, 2010–present

References

North Carolina State University people