Top 10 Cornell University Notable Alumni

Ever wonder who walked Cornell's halls before altering the world? Step into the inspiring tales of 10 incredible alumni, from science geniuses and literary icons to social justice leaders. Their legacies will light the fire in your ambitions. Discover the list of top 10 Cornell University notable alumni now!

Cornell University isn't just an Ivy League institution; but has also produced great innovators who have changed industries and influenced company cultures. Cornell University has undergone numerous changes throughout its long history, largely due to the accomplishments of its alumni - a diverse group of individuals who have left a lasting impact on the world. Despite the low acceptance rate of Cornell, millions of students want to attend Cornell University, as they are 1 of the top 100 universities in the world. As of today, Cornell has 250,000 alumni.

So, who are these influential people, and what drove them to achieve such great accomplishments after being admitted to Cornell? This article highlights some of Cornell's most distinguished alumni and the different ways their Cornell education helped them make a profound difference.

List of Top 10 Cornell University Notable Alumni

Interested in knowing the top 10 Cornell University notable alumni list? Check out the notable alumni from Cornell below: 

1. Bill Nye
2. Toni Morrison
3. Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
4. Christopher Reeve
5. Jane Lynch
6. Bill Maher
7. James Whitman McLamore
8. Claudia Dale Goldin
9. Sanjeev Goyal
10. Glenn Altschuler

These are some of the notable Cornell University alumni who have left a mark with their achievements and contributions. 

10 Popular Cornell University Notable Alumni

Let us discuss in detail about Cornell University notable alumni in this section based on the top 10 list above: 

1. Bill Nye

Bill Nye is an engineer from Cornell and had a short stint at Boeing, where he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor. His career, however, with no apparent direction, veered him towards comedy, where he got his start on "Almost Live!" and then went on to create the highly recognised "Bill Nye the Science Guy" (1993-1999) by combining education with humour, while winning 19 Emmys. All of this thrust Nye into a well-engaged science advocate role by appearing on shows such as "The Big Bang Theory" and "Dancing with the Stars." He was CEO of The Planetary Society and published five bestselling books, including "Undeniable" and "Unstoppable." His work in documentaries like "Bill Nye: Science Guy" and other series, such as "Bill Nye Saves the World" and "The End Is Nye," also demonstrated Nye's willingness and ability to tackle the challenge of making science accessible and fun to society. Nye continues to teach and entertain, providing and encouraging the public that addressing global issues through the cognitive power of science creates opportunities and outcomes on a positive scale.

2. Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison (1931 - 2019) was an instrumental figure in African-American literature, as she was a participant in both Howard and Cornell as a student, and then subsequently as a professor -- before she became Random House's first African-American woman fiction editor and represented Black literary authors. Morrison's first book, 'The Bluest Eye' (1970), was a novel about a Black girl who wanted blue eyes and the way her identity regarding race impacted her. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for 'Beloved' (1987) and the Nobel Prize for Literature in the year of 1993, for her body of narrative work. Other important works such as 'Song of Solomon' and 'Sula' contributed to cementing her status as one of the most respected writers in portraying the Black American life. While Morrison's contribution is important in the form of literature, Morrison was recognized when awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012) and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (2020). Morrison's works are too critical for understanding issues of race and identity, such that she is also considered one of the top 10 notable alumni from the Cornell University alumni.

3. Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw

Kimberlé Crenshaw is a leading civil rights and critical race theory advocate, best known for her work in introducing intersectionality. In her 1989 essay, she defined the concept, which discussed how race, gender, and class intersect to create unique experiences of oppression, particularly for Black women. Crenshaw received her BA in Government and African studies from Cornell University, a JD from Harvard University, and an LLM from the University of Wisconsin. Her 2016 TED Talk and the #SayHerName campaign greatly increased awareness of intersectionality, highlighting police brutality against Black women. In 1996, to advance racial and gender justice, she established the African American Policy Forum. In addition, she is also known among Cornell University's distinguished alumni for her achievements and contributions.

4. Christopher Reeve

Christopher D’Olier Reeve is a popular actor, author, activist and director who is Cornell University notable alumni. Known for his exemplary performance in the Superman movie series, playing the lead character, Reeve won the Emmy Award, the British Academy Film Award, and the Grammy Award. Reeve received various other recognitions for his contributions, such as the Walter Briehl Human Rights Foundation award, the Helen Hayes MacArthur Award, and the Lasker Award for Public Service. His contributions to paralysis research and advocacy were also celebrated through various honours, and his foundation, initially known as the Christopher Reeve Foundation, was later renamed to continue his legacy.

5. Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch, a Cornell University notable alumni is an American actress, comedian, and singer. She is recognised for her comic roles and has won multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe, 05 Primetime Emmys, and 02 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Lynch gained significant fame as Sue Sylvester in the TV series ‘Glee’. In addition to acting, she has hosted the game show ‘Hollywood Game Night’ (2013–2020) and has been the host and executive producer of the American version of ‘The Weakest Link’ since 2020. Lynch’s early career was marked by theatre work, including the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the comedy troupe The Second City. Her film debut was in 1988, and she later became known for roles in movies like ‘Best in Show’ and ‘A Mighty Wind’.

6. Bill Maher

Bill Maher is a vocal advocate for animal rights and has served on the board of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) since 1997. He has also been an advisory board member of Project Reason, a non-profit organization promoting secularism and scientific skepticism. In addition to his activism for animals, Maher is a strong supporter of cannabis legalization and has been involved with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Bill Maher’s contribution towards animal rights has been on point to date. He also makes it to the list of the top 10 Cornell University notable alumni. 

7. James Whitman McLamore

James McLamore (1926–1996) was a pioneering American entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder and first CEO of the Burger King fast-food chain. Along with David Edgerton, McLamore played a crucial role in establishing Burger King in 1954, introducing the iconic Whopper sandwich in 1957. McLamore led the company through rapid growth until 1967 when he and Edgerton sold it to Pillsbury. He continued as CEO for five more years and remained chairman of the company until 1976. After retiring from Burger King, McLamore engaged in various philanthropic and business endeavors. He served on boards for organisations like the University of Miami and the United Way. McLamore was passionate about gardening and worked with the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. He also authored an autobiography, ‘The Burger King: Jim McLamore and The Building of an Empire’, published in 1998. McLamore, a business enthusiast and philanthropic individual, is also a Cornell University notable alumni.

8. Claudia Dale Goldin

Claudia Goldin, an influential labour economist, was also a Cornell University notable alumni. She is renowned for her extensive research into the economic history of women, mainly focusing on labor force participation and the gender wage gap. Goldin earned her BA from Cornell University and her MA and PhD from the University of Chicago. She has held faculty positions at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, significantly contributing to labor economics and economic history. Goldin is best known for her work on the historical trends in women’s labor force participation and the impact of social and technological changes on women's careers. Her research also delves into the role of education and postsecondary credentials in the labor market. She has been honored with the IZA Prize in Labor Economics (2016), the Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in Economics (2020), and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (2023). Goldin’s work has shaped modern understandings of gender and economics, significantly influencing policies to narrow the gender gap in the workforce.

9. Sanjeev Goyal

Sanjeev Goyal, an Indian-British economist known for his pioneering research on networks, is another Cornell University notable alumni. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Econometric Society. Goyal is the Arthur C. Pigou Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. He received his BA (Honours) from Delhi University and an MA and PhD from Cornell University, both in economics. Goyal has authored several books, including ‘Connections: An Introduction to the Economics of Networks’ (2007) and ‘Networks: An Economics Approach’ (2023). Additionally, he was the founding Director of the Cambridge-INET Institute (2012–2014) and was Chairman of the Cambridge Economics Faculty from 2014 to 2018. His research has influenced understanding how networks impact economic behavior, especially in collaboration, diffusion, and strategic interactions within networks.

10. Glenn C. Altschuller

Glenn C. Altschuler is a Cornell University notable alumni, is an accomplished American writer, educator, and university administrator. He pursued higher education at Brooklyn College and Cornell University, earning his BA, MA, and PhD. Altschuler's academic interests span American history, popular culture, and higher education. He has co-authored books like ‘The Rise and Fall of Protestant Brooklyn’ (2022), ‘The GI Bill: A New Deal for Veterans' (2009), and ‘All Shook Up: How Rock 'n Roll Changed America' (2003). Altschuler has been recognised with the Clark Teaching Award and the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellowship. He has spent over 40 years at Cornell University, contributing to American Studies. Altschuler's career is marked by his dedication to teaching, scholarship, and a passion for exploring American culture and history through various lenses. 

These are some of Cornell University notable alumni whose ideas have shaped the industries and continue to do so today. Cornell University courses are wide, which makes it a popular academic higher education institution in the USA, and admission to Cornell is equivalent to prestige. 

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