Distinguished Alumni
Our graduates' careers demonstrate the endless possibilities of a degree in the liberal arts and sciences. To recognize the most significant among our alumni's many achievements, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences honors a few select graduates each year with the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award. It is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the College.
The award recognizes our graduates' outstanding contributions to KU, their professions or their communities in a wide range of disciplines, including the arts, public service, business, academia and more.
2018-2019
Rob Riggle
Marine veteran, comedian
Rob Riggle has forged two distinct and notable careers since graduating from KU in 1992 with a B.A. in theatre and film. Following a career with the United States Marine Corps during which he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Riggle has become well-known in comedic films and television. Riggle is familiar to filmgoers and TV fans alike for comedic roles in films such as “The Hangover” and “Step Brothers,” as well as his stints on “Saturday Night Live” and as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” His most recent film appearance is in “Night School” with Kevin Hart, which was released this fall. On the small screen, Riggle created and stars in “Rob Riggle’s Ski Master Academy,” available on Sony Crackle. For his voice-over talents, he earned a 2012 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for Disney’s “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.” Riggle is also known for his philanthropic efforts and as an enthusiastic fan of KU.
2017-2018
2015-2016
2014-15
2012-13

Rosemarie Truglio
Sesame Workshop executive
Applied Behavioral Science, 1986
Developmental & Child Psychology, 1990
2011-12

Juan Manuel Santos
President of the Republic of Colombia
Economics, 1973

Marla Prather
Art Curator
French, Art History, 1978
Art History, 1981

Marla Spivak
Entomology researcher
Biology, 1989

Robert Kipp
Executive
Public Administration, 1956
2010-11

Cynthia Carroll
Business executive
Geology, 1982

Mark Amin
Film producer
Economics, 1972

Vernon L. Smith
Economist
Economics, 1952

Wes Jackson
Environmentalist
Biology, 1960
2009-10

Ann Hamilton
Visual artist
Visual Art, 1979

George William James
Baseball statistician
English, 1973
English, 1975

Kathleen Sebelius
Former governor of Kansas
Public Administration, 1980

Steve Mills
Television producer
1951
2008-09

Deanell Reece Tacha
Federal judge
American Studies, 1968

Jacqueline Z. Davis
Performing arts executive
French, 1973

Robert Hill
Biochemistry researcher
Chemistry, 1949, 1951, 1954

Sheila Bair
Economist
Philosophy, 1975
2007-08

George Sheldon
Surgeon
History, 1957

James Gunn
Science fiction author
English, 1951

Mary Dawson
Paleontologist
Biology, 1957

Thomas Rudkin
PowerPoint software engineer
Math, 1973
2006-07

B.H. "Pete" Fairchild
Poet

Randy Scott
Biotechnology inventor
Biology, 1984

Rosemary O'Leary
Public management and policy researcher
English, 1978
Public Administration, 1982

Steven Hawley
Astronaut
Physics, 1973

Thomas G. Burish
Provost
Psychology, 1975, 1976
2005-06

Charley Oswald
Businessman
1951

David M. Hillis
Molecular systematics researcher
Biology, 1983, 1984,1985

Sally Hoglund
Public service advocate
Political Science, 1956

Sara Paretsky
Crime fiction author
Political Science, 1967
2004-05

Elizabeth Broun
Art museum director
Art History, 1968, 1969, 1976

Gary Sick
Middle East affairs analyst
French, 1957

Irving Johnson (1925-2014)
Pharmaceutical researcher
Biology, 1953

Mike Robe
Television writer-director-producer
1966, 1968
2003-04

Douglas D. Heckathorn
Sociology researcher
Psychology, Sociology, 1969
Sociology, 1972, 1974

Edward F. Reilly Jr.
Chairman of the United States Parole Commission
Political Science, 1961

Paul S. Keim
Infectious disease researcher
Biology, 1981

Terrence D. Jones
Performing arts executive
Language Arts 1970
Theatre, 1972
2002-03

Jill Docking
Financial executive
History, 1978

Paul R. Ehrlich
Biology researcher
Biology, 1955, 1957
2001-02

Jill Quadagno
Gerontology scholar
Sociology, 1975, 1976
2000-01

Fred N. Six
Kansas Supreme Court Justice
1951
1999-2000

James E. Hesser
Astronomy researcher
Astronomy, 1963
1998-99

Martha Peterson
Higher education administrator
Math, 1937, 1943
1997-98

Arthur F. McClure II
Historian
History, 1958, 1966
1996-97

Clyde W. Toland
Attorney
History, 1969

Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker
Senator
1954