Fordham University is a private, Jesuit research university in New York City. Founded in 1841, it is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the United States. Fordham has a long and distinguished history of educating some of the most influential people in American society.
Over the years, Fordham has produced a remarkable number of notable alumni who have made significant contributions to their fields. These individuals have excelled in a wide range of professions, including law, politics, business, entertainment, and academia.
Here are just a few of the most famous Fordham alumni:
Law
- Edward Koch (JD 1954) – Mayor of New York City (1978-1989)
- Mario Cuomo (JD 1956) – Governor of New York (1983-1994)
- Sean Patrick Maloney (JD 1992) – U.S. Representative from New York (2013-present)
- Christopher Wray (JD 1989) – Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2017-present)
Politics
- Thomas P. Finerty (Class of 1947) – Mayor of Boston (1975-1983)
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan (PhD 1961) – U.S. Senator from New York (1977-2001)
- Jim Florio (JD 1967) – Governor of New Jersey (1990-1994)
- Timothy M. Kaine (JD 1983) – U.S. Senator from Virginia (2013-present)
Business
- Raymond Dalio (BBA 1971) – Founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund
- Brian Moynihan (BS 1981) – CEO of Bank of America
- James Dimon (MBA 1982) – CEO of JPMorgan Chase
- John J. Mack (MBA 1984) – Former CEO of Morgan Stanley
Entertainment
- Denzel Washington (BA 1977) – Academy Award-winning actor
- John Leguizamo (BA 1987) – Emmy Award-winning actor
- Christine Baranski (MFA 1982) – Emmy Award-winning actress
- Jon Favreau (BA 1992) – Film director, producer, and actor
Academia
- Joseph Murray (MD 1940) – Nobel Prize in Medicine (1990) for his work on organ transplantation
- Stanley Milgram (PhD 1961) – Social psychologist known for his experiments on obedience to authority
- Cornel West (PhD 1980) – Author, philosopher, and professor
- Kwame Anthony Appiah (PhD 1985) – Philosopher and professor
These are just a few of the many distinguished alumni who have graduated from Fordham University. These individuals have made significant contributions to their fields and have helped to shape the world we live in today.
Fordham University by the Numbers
- Founded: 1841
- Location: New York City
- Enrollment: 16,000+
- Faculty: 1,200+
- Alumni: 160,000+
- Nobel Laureates: 3
- Pulitzer Prize Winners: 6
- Academy Award Winners: 4
- Emmy Award Winners: 10
Fordham University Famous Alumni: A Step-by-Step Approach
There are many ways to discover famous alumni from Fordham University. Here is a step-by-step approach you can follow:
- Visit the Fordham University website. The university’s website has a dedicated page that lists notable alumni.
- Search online. There are many websites and articles that list famous Fordham alumni.
- Attend Fordham University events. The university often hosts events that feature famous alumni.
- Network with Fordham alumni. If you know any Fordham alumni, you can ask them for recommendations.
Fordham University Famous Alumni: Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when researching Fordham University famous alumni:
- Assuming that all famous Fordham alumni are well-known. There are many famous Fordham alumni who are not household names.
- Focusing only on recent alumni. Fordham University has a long and distinguished history. There are many famous alumni from all eras.
- Making generalizations about Fordham alumni. Fordham University alumni are a diverse group of people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Fordham University Famous Alumni: FAQs
Who is the most famous Fordham University alumnus?
Denzel Washington is arguably the most famous Fordham University alumnus. He is an Academy Award-winning actor who has starred in some of the most successful films of all time.
How many Fordham University alumni have won Nobel Prizes?
Three Fordham University alumni have won Nobel Prizes. They are Joseph Murray (Medicine, 1990), Mario R. Capecchi (Medicine, 2007), and Thomas Cech (Chemistry, 1989).
How many Fordham University alumni have won Pulitzer Prizes?
Six Fordham University alumni have won Pulitzer Prizes. They are John T. McManus (1979), Charles J. Vrana (1986), Elizabeth Kolbert (2015), John A. Farrell (2019), David Kocieniewski (2021), and Christina Morales (2023).
How many Fordham University alumni have won Academy Awards?
Four Fordham University alumni have won Academy Awards. They are Denzel Washington (two Oscars), Christine Baranski (one Oscar), and John Leguizamo (one Oscar).
How many Fordham University alumni have won Emmy Awards?
Ten Fordham University alumni have won Emmy Awards.
