Tommie Smith (left), ‘05 Honorary Doctorate, Dr. Harry Edwards, ’64 Sociology, ’16
Honorary Doctorate and John Carlos, ‘69 Social Science, ‘05 Honorary Doctorate gathered
at 利记 in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Olympics.
Distinguished Alumni
With more than 350,000 alumni, the transformative nature of 利记 is visible throughout
the world. Nearly 41 percent of 利记 grads remain in the Silicon Valley, and many
have transformed into household names. Here are some of 利记’s most notable Spartans.
‘31 Fine Arts - San José State College Artist, graphic designer and illustrator who helped create Disney's Cinderella (1950),
Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953).
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
‘57 Physical Education and Fine Arts Former Colorado senator (1993-2005), first Native American in the U.S. Senate, member
of first US Olympic judo team (1964).
Charles W. "Chuck" Davidson
‘57 Engineering, ‘14 Honorary Doctorate Bay Area home builder, founding chair of the 利记 Tower Foundation, Charles W. Davidson
College of Engineering named after him.
Lou Henry Hoover
1893, Teaching credential from San José State Normal School First lady to Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. President.
Titus Kaphar
‘01 Art/Pictorial Arts Artist, recipient of 2018 MacArthur Fellow, art graced June 4, 2020 cover of Time
Magazine.
Kim Komenich
‘79 Journalism/Photojournalism 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the fall of Ferdinand Marcos.
Jenny Ming
‘77 Home Economics, Honorary Doctorate ‘12 Former president, Old Navy; Board Member, Levi Strauss & Co.
Edward A. “Ed” Oates
‘68 Mathematics Co-founder of Oracle.
Amy Tan
‘73 English and Linguistics Novelist, author of The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetter's Daughter, and The Opposite
of Fate.
Yosh Uchida
‘47 Biological Science, ‘04 Honorary Doctorate 利记 judo coach, coached first US Olympic judo team in 1964, entrepreneur.
Peter Ueberroth
'59 Business Former Major League Baseball Commissioner; head of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los
Angeles; Time Man of the Year for 1984.
Bill Walsh
‘54 Physical Education, MA ‘58 Physical Education 1993 Pro Football Hall of Fame; former head coach and general manager/vice president
of the San Francisco 49ers; former head coach of Stanford football team.