When you think of "fame" in New York, your mind probably jumps straight to the bright lights of Manhattan or maybe the sprawling campuses of the Ivy League. But nestled in the hills of Central New York, a medium-sized state school has been quietly churning out power players for decades. Honestly, the list of SUNY Oneonta notable alumni is a lot more diverse than most people give it credit for. We aren't just talking about a few local politicians or successful teachers—though there are plenty of those. We’re talking about Hollywood heavy hitters, the "First Lady of SportsCenter," and legal giants who have taken down some of the biggest criminals in modern history.
If you’ve ever walked "the hills" of Oneonta, you know the vibe. It's a place where you learn to survive the wind and the stairs before you even get to your first lecture. That grit seems to stick. Whether it’s the guy who saved the world in Independence Day or the woman who paved the way for every female sports anchor you see today, the DNA of this school is all over the cultural landscape of 2026.
The Hollywood Connection: From Fine Arts to Blockbusters
Most people are shocked to find out that Bill Pullman is arguably the most famous name on the roster. You’ve seen him as the President of the United States, as a haunted detective in The Sinner, and in countless cult classics. But before he was giving "the speech" to save humanity from aliens, he was just another student hanging out in the Fine Arts building.
Pullman actually started his theater journey at SUNY Oneonta in the early 1970s. He was a technician, a director, and an actor. He basically lived in the theater department before eventually transferring to finish his degree elsewhere and later teaching at Montana State. He still maintains a connection to the area, though. He’s the kind of guy who didn't forget where the spark started.
But he isn't the only one who traded the Catskills for the West Coast. Mary Jo Catone is another name that theater nerds will recognize. She’s had a long-standing career as an actress and voice artist, notably on As the World Turns. It sort of proves that the theater program in Oneonta wasn't just a hobby for these people; it was a legitimate springboard.
Sports and Media: Breaking the Grass Ceiling
If you turn on ESPN tonight, there is a very good chance you will see Linda Cohn. She’s the longest-tenured anchor in the history of SportsCenter. Let that sink in for a second. In an industry that is notoriously fickle and historically dominated by men, Cohn has been a permanent fixture since 1992.
Cohn graduated in 1981, and she’s a huge "Red Dragon" through and through. She didn’t just walk onto the ESPN set. She started at the campus radio station, WONY. That’s a common thread you’ll see with a lot of these folks—they used the small-market feel of Oneonta to get their hands dirty and learn the tech, the timing, and the talk before they hit the big leagues.
Beyond the Anchor Desk
- Sal Paolantonio: Another heavy hitter in the sports world. If you follow the NFL, you know Sal Pal. He’s been a national correspondent for ESPN for years.
- Don Garber: Ever heard of Major League Soccer? Garber is the Commissioner of MLS. He’s basically the reason soccer has the footprint it does in the U.S. today. He’s an Oneonta alum who took a business-minded approach to a sport that many thought would never take off here.
- Travis Stone: If you’re into horse racing, you’ve heard his voice. He’s the track announcer for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
Law, Order, and the Oval Office
This is where things get really serious. One of the most powerful names associated with the school is Mary Jo White. She graduated in 1971 and went on to become the first woman to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Think about the weight of that. She prosecuted the 1993 World Trade Center bombers and the Gambino crime family. Later, she was appointed by President Obama to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When people talk about SUNY Oneonta notable alumni, White is often the example used to show that a "state school education" can lead to the very top of the federal government.
And then there's Jack Smith. In recent years, his name has been all over the news as the Special Counsel for the Department of Justice. He graduated from Oneonta in 1991. Whether you follow the politics of it or not, the fact remains that a graduate from this small New York school is currently handling some of the most complex and high-profile legal cases in the history of the United States.
The Entrepreneurs and Visionaries
It’s not all about the spotlight. Some of the most impactful graduates are the ones building businesses or changing lives behind the scenes. Jay Winuk (Class of 1980) is a name you might not know, but you definitely know his work. After losing his brother Glenn—another Oneonta alum and a volunteer firefighter—on 9/11, Jay co-founded "9/11 Day."
It’s now the largest annual day of charitable service in the U.S. He turned personal tragedy into a global movement of kindness. That’s a legacy that outweighs any IMDB credit or sports stat.
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On the business side, John W. Sidgmore was a massive player in the early days of the internet. As the CEO of UUNET and later WorldCom, he was one of the architects of the digital age. He was one of those guys who could see five years into the future while everyone else was still trying to figure out dial-up.
Why the "Oneonta Effect" Still Matters in 2026
You might be wondering why this matters today. Honestly, it’s about the myth that you need a "name-brand" school to make a name for yourself. The success of these alumni shows that the SUNY system—and Oneonta specifically—provides a weirdly perfect environment for overachievers.
It’s big enough to have the resources (like a massive foundation with over $91 million in assets as of late 2025) but small enough that you aren't just a number in a 500-person lecture hall. You can actually talk to your professors. You can actually get airtime on the radio station.
What You Can Learn from the Red Dragon Legacy
If you’re a current student or someone looking at the school, there are a few "actionable" takeaways from looking at these paths:
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- Use the niche facilities: Linda Cohn didn't wait for a job offer to start broadcasting; she used the campus station. Bill Pullman didn't wait for Hollywood; he was building sets in the theater.
- The "SUNY Network" is real: There are nearly 3 million SUNY alumni. In New York, that’s a massive "in" for almost any industry.
- Versatility is king: Look at Evan Rakowski (Class of 2005). He was a political science major who went on to found a massive telehealth company. The degree isn't a cage; it’s a toolkit.
SUNY Oneonta isn't just a place where you spend four years surviving the "O-Town" winters. It’s a place that has consistently produced people who end up running the SEC, anchoring national news, and winning championships. So, the next time you see a familiar face on TV or a major name in a legal brief, check the bio. There’s a decent chance they once spent their Friday nights at the Yellow Deli or walking up the hill to Higgins Hall.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Alumni:
If you want to follow in these footsteps, your best move is to engage with the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association early. They recently surpassed their "Drive for 135" goal, securing over 140 new internship opportunities specifically hosted by alumni. Reaching out to these mentors isn't just a "good idea"—it’s how names like Cohn and Garber built the foundations for their careers. Check the university’s Handshake portal or the "Alumni of Distinction" archives to find a mentor in your specific major.