Top 10 Famous Harvard Alumni: Unveiling the Legacy
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Harvard University, established in 1636, is a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. From pioneering leaders in politics and business to influential figures in the arts and sciences, Harvard has nurtured some of the brightest minds in history. We will discuss some of the famous Harvard alumni in this article.
Do you wish to know some of the most influential people who are Harvard alumni? Alumni who have studied at Harvard University have brought a change in the lives of people globally. Let's delve into the legacy of ten famous Harvard alumni who have left an indelible mark on the world.
Who are Famous Harvard Alumni?
With an alumni network of 400,000+, Harvard has given some of the most popular leaders, writers, politicians, artists and businessmen. While some dropped out of Harvard in the middle of their studies, others took a transfer to another US university, yet were honoured by Harvard University. One of the most popular Ivy League schools, Harvard alumni enjoy being referred to as Harvard pass out tag. Some of the most famous Harvard alumni are as follows:
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| Notable Harvard Alumni |
||
|---|---|---|
| John Adams (2nd US President) |
Susan Wojcicki (Chief Executive Officer at YouTube) |
Steve Ballmer (Former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers) |
| Neil DeGrasse Tyson (Astronomer & Researcher) |
Sheryl Sandberg (Former COO of Facebook) |
Franklin D Roosevelt (32nd President of the US) |
| Manik Suri (Founder of Therma) |
Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook (Meta)) |
Bill Gates (Co-Founder of Microsoft) |
| Andrew Jassy (Chief Executive Officer at Amazon Web Services) |
William McPherson Allen (Chief Executive Officer at Boeing) |
Ralph Waldo Emerson (Poet, Essayist, Orator, Philosopher, & Lecturer) |
There are many others in the list, but we have made a list of the top 10 famous Harvard alumni for you. Check them out in the section below.
List of Top 10 Famous Harvard Alumni
Here’s a list of the top 10 famous Harvard alumni, their key positions, works and how they brought an impact on the world.
1. Barack Obama
The first African-American president of the US and the most popular one too is Barack Obama. He is a decorated politician who was a Harvard alumnus of the ‘91 batch and graduated from the Harvard Law Review. His tenure at Harvard laid the foundation for a groundbreaking political career, culminating in his historic election as the 44th President of the United States in 2008.
2. Ratan Tata
The most celebrated businessman, philanthropist and someone who has brought a radical change in the Indian economy is Ratan Tata. Having pursued an Advanced Management degree from Harvard in 1971, Ratan Tata’s journey since then has only expanded. After he graduated from Harvard, he was appointed as the Chairman of Tata Industries and was responsible for bringing new and innovative ideas to boost businesses across. Before graduating from Harvard, Ratan Tata also pursued an architecture course at Cornell University.
3. George W Bush
The 43rd President of the USA, George W. Bush is also a famous Harvard University alumni. He is the first US president who holds an MBA from Harvard University offered at the Harvard Business School and graduated in 1975. Also studied at Yale University, George W. Bush has a history of studying at the top US universities. Bush, served as the US President from the years 2001 to 2009. He was also a member of the Republican Party, where he served as the 46th governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000.
4. Natalie Portman
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard with a degree in Psychology in 2003. Senior to Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman graduated a year before Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in 2004. While balancing her studies with a burgeoning acting career, Portman demonstrated her intellectual prowess and dedication to education, embodying the essence of a true Harvard scholar.
5. Benazir Bhutto
A trailblazing figure in Pakistani politics, Benazir Bhutto attended Harvard University, where she studied Comparative Government. Bhutto's time at Harvard provided her with a global perspective and intellectual foundation that she would later draw upon as the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, making history with her leadership and resilience.
6. Conan O'Brien
Celebrated television host and comedian Conan O'Brien graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he cultivated his comedic talents as president of the Harvard Lampoon. O'Brien's wit and charisma, honed during his time at Harvard, have made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
7. John F Kennedy
A towering figure in American politics, John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940 before serving as the 35th President of the United States. His time at Harvard instilled in him a deep sense of public service and leadership, guiding his transformative presidency and shaping his enduring legacy. He was also a very famous Harvard alumnus, one among the other eight presidents of the United States of America.
8. Margaret Atwood
Another famous Harvard alumni is Margaret Atwood, a Canadian poet, author and environmental activist. She pursued her Master’s from Harvard University in 1962 and further went on for a doctorate. Margaret Atwood has written around 50 books and is a well-known name in the English literature industry. Thus, Margaret Atwood is a famous Harvard alumni who comes under the language and literature category of passouts. Some of Margaret Atwood’s famous works include - The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye, Alias Grace and others.
9. TS Eliot
Considered as the most popular poet of the 20th century, TS Eliot is one of the most popular Harvard alumni. TS Eliot is also a Nobel Prize winner (1948) for his exceptional work in English poetry in areas of mysticism, broken and even haunting poetry. His tenure at Harvard encompasses his journey towards becoming one of the greatest poets of all time. Some of his popular works include - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, Preludes and others.
10. Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt is one of the youngest US presidents to date. Roosevelt held the position from 1882 to 1945 until he passed away in 1945. Referred by different names - TDR and Teddy, Roosevelt was a popular US president. In the year 1880, Roosevelt graduated with Phi Beta Kappa (22nd of 177) from Harvard with an A.B. magna cum laude. After eight years he was elected as the President of USA.
Related Reads:
| Harvard University Admissions | Harvard University Courses |
| Harvard University Rankings | Harvard University Placements |
Famous Indian Harvard Alumni
Some of the famous Indian Harvard alumni include:
- Ratan Tata (popular businessman in India, former Chairman of Tata Group of Industries)
- Rajiv Gandhi (Former Indian Prime Miniter)
- Mira Nair (Popular filmmaker)
- Anand Mahindra (Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra)
- Rahul Bajaj (Chairperson of Bajaj Group)
- Suhel Seth (Indian businessman and columnist)
- Ashish Nanda (Former Director of IIM Ahmedabad)
From world leaders and innovators to cultural icons and trailblazers, the illustrious alumni of Harvard University continue to shape our world in profound and meaningful ways. Their diverse contributions were a testament to the university's enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and positive global impact.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: How long does it take to get admission to Iowa State?
After submitting the application the Iowa State admission committee will review the application for admission on the basis of documents that applicants provide. A decision may require several weeks as it depends on the time of year the applicant submits the application (Applications submitted right before the deadline require a much longer processing time due to the volume of applications received then.). Applicants will receive an admission offer letter and the I-20 Form if admitted.
Q: Is the University of South Dakota hard to get into?
With a 99% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota is easy to get into. The university follows an easy approach during admission. The university takes a simple admissions procedure. The high acceptance percentage does not mean that the university admits every applicant; rather, it suggests permissive admittance as compared to another university.
Students must prove themselves by scoring excellent academic scores, English proficiency requirements, and standardized test scores. Also, the university prioritizes factors, such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, and more.
Q: What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State?
International students who wish to study at Iowa State must have at least GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission. International transfer applicants must have a minimum equivalent GPA of C+ on a scale of A to F or 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for all transferable courses.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
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