Top 10 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Notable Alumni

Known for the best education in STEM courses in the USA, MIT has witnessed numerous alumni from its institution. There are a plethora of Massachusetts Institute of Technology notable alumni, from groundbreaking research Nobel Prize winners to internet creators and those who have changed the modern internet. Check out the top MIT alumni in this article. 

With a better eye for technology, innovation, and overall education quality, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) happens to be among the most famous educational institutions in the world; it was founded in 1861 and is still regarded as one of the finest STEM education; plus is at the forging end of the industrial future's outcome. 

The MIT's alumni network is 149,000+ and more potent. Despite low acceptance rates at MIT and challenging admissions, MIT proves that it has helped its alumni to hone their skills to become successful.  MIT has produced alumni which have impacted the world through their works and innovations or creative ideas. Their works still impact modern times and help people in many ways till date.

We have curated a list of notable MIT alumni about whom you should definitely know about. This article highlights some of the most influential MIT alumni and their lasting impact on the world.

10 Most Popular Massachusetts Institute of Technology Notable Alumni

Interested in knowing about all the key Massachusetts Institute of Technology notable alumni? Check out the list below:

1. Kofi Annan
2. Buzz Aldrin
3. Richard Feynman
4. Ben S. Bernanke
5. Jonah Peretti
6. Sal Khan
7. Benjamin Netanyahu
8. William Shockley
9. James Wood
10. Charles Koch

Let us discuss about them in detail here.

1. Kofi Annan

The late Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is one of MIT's most renowned alumni.

• Annan's international diplomatic works laid down parameters where important discussion policies are made.
• Policies from human rights to conflict solutions and the right to sustainable development are included.
• He advocated for international peace efforts, from the United Nations reform to humanitarian initiatives
• His contributions till today continue to shape the face of international relations and global governance. 

2. Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin was the second person to go to the moon was previously an Air Force pilot. He later submitted his thesis at MIT to get his PhD. Apart from this,

• He was a part of NASA's Apollo Program. He with other crew walked on the Moon.
• After retiring from NASA he became commander of Air Force Base at California in 1971.
• Aldrin founded ShareSpace in 1988 for expanded space exploration of crews.
• He has also written his experiences in books like The Long Journey Home from the Moon in 2009.

3. Richard Feyman

Feynman simplified the theory of how light interacted with matter, which changed scientists' views on waves and particles. He studied Physics at MIT and later got doctorate from Princeton.

• Feyman is a Nobel Prize awardee in Physics in 1965.
• His works were more recognised in later half of 20th century.
• Through Feyman diagrams he visually explained particle interactions.
• He also taught at Cornell University for five years between 1945-50 as associate professor.

4. Ben S. Bernake

A PhD holder from MIT in 1979, Bernake is an American economist and Nobel Prize winner for Economics. 

• Ben got summa cum laude from Harvard and then got doctorate from MIT.
• He first taught at Stanford University from 1979 to 1985. Later in 1985 he moved to teach at Princeton. 
• Also Bernake was a visiting professor at NYU and MIT. 
• He was the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve and the central bank of US.

5. Jonah Peretti

Jonah Peretti or America's internet entrepreneur is another notable alumni of MIT in 2001.

• Peretti is a co-founder and CEO of BuzzFeed in 2006.
• He also co-founded The Huffington Post in 2005.
• Peretti also holds an environment studies degree from UC Satna Cruz.
• He briefly taugh computer Science in New Orleans in mid 1990s.

6. Sal Khan

Sal Khan or Salman Amir Khan is an American educator who founded the non-profit organisation Khan Academy. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1998 with four degrees. Why he is well known:

• Khan Academy has over 150+ million subscribers up till 2023.
• Inititially Khan Academy was a learning tool for students. Later added a feature of coaching too.
• Khan Academy partnered with College Board to offer SAT exam preparation for its digital format.
• Sal has been selected by TED for Visionary Steward to guide long term strategies for education and technology in 2025.

7. Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician and the current Prime Minister of Israel. He graduated with an MBA from MIT in 1976. He is a notable MIT alumni because:

• Netanyahu has been the longest serving prime minister of Israel. 
• Initially worked with Boston Consulting Group as Economic Consultant from 1976-78.
• After leaving BCG he joined Israel Defense Forces and was trained as combat soldier. 
• He also served as Israeli ambassador to USA between 1984-88.

8. William Shockley

William B. Shockley was an American educator, physicist and engineer. He graduated with an undergrad from Caltech in 1932 and got PhD in 1936 from MIT. He is a known MIT alum because:

• William along with two others won a Nobel Prize in physics for developing a transistor.
• He joined Bell Telephone Labs in 1936 where he developed transistors.
• Also he was a part of Antisubmarine Warfare Operations Research Group of US Navy in WW II.
• In 1958, he became a lecturer at Stanford and California University in 1958.

9. James Wood

James Wood is an American actor who is three time Emmy and a Golden Globe Awardee. He holds and undergraduate degree from MIT.

• Woods also earned two Academy Awards for Salvador (1986) and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996).
• He also holds two Primetime Emmy Awards for his television works.
• Woods also did voice overs for Hercules, The Simpsons and Stuart Little 2.
• Till date, he has appeared in more than 130 films and TV series. 

10. Charles Koch

Charles Koch, one of the co-owners of Koch Industries Ltd. graduated with a masters in Engineering from MIT in 1959.

• Charles became chairman and CEO in 1967.
• Charles along with his brother and partner became the richest in the country.
• Apart from oil and petroleum, Charles extended company's interests and gained 250 more annual revenue.
• Charles also co-founded Cato Institute in 1977 which was the country's first liberatarian think tank.

From co-founders to Nobel laureates in science, economics, and literature, MIT alums have transformed industries, addressed humanity's most significant challenges, and continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Their work and legacy inspire generations of students and professionals, ensuring that MIT's role in global progress and leadership will remain substantial for decades. Alumni of MIT are as diverse and impressive as the institution itself. They made extraordinary contributions to artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, finance, energy, and social entrepreneurship. Their great works articulate the very core character of MIT's mission: to apply knowledge to benefit humankind. If applicants plan to take admissions at MIT they can get expert guidance from our team of counsellors by signing up for free at Shiksha Abroad Counselling.