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

Delano Lewis
Diplomat, executive
Political science and history, 1960

2015-2016

Anne Levinson
Judge, civic leader
Political Science, 1980

Brad Garlinghouse
Tech executive
Economics, 1994

Dan Rooney
Philanthropist
Geography, 1996

2014-15

Edgar Heap of Birds
Multidisciplinary artist
Painting, 1976

Sharon Lee
Physician
Psychology, 1974

William Fisher
Geology professor
Geology, 1958, 1961

2012-13

B. Lynn Pascoe
Diplomat
East Asian Languages and Cultures, Math, 1964

Charles Boyd
Retired four-star general of the U.S. Air Force
Latin American Studies, 1975, 1976

Chris Martin
Visual effects
Film & Media Studies, 2003

John Gurche
Paleo-artist
Geology,1974
Anthropology, 1979

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